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3 Hacks For A Productive 2025

This section offers three ways to solve a problem. See more on Linkedin.com/in/ahern

Each year many of us evaluate what we want to improve in the following year. Here are three hacks I am always working on to improve.

1. Time Is A Limited Resource
   

   It is very easy to be in meetings all day and get nothing done. Apps like Calendly make booking time with you even easier for clients and prospects. By the end of the day, your head is spinning and you can barely remember the day’s first meeting. The best solution is to block your calendar with tasks you need to get done. If you are using a Calendly-type program, only set it to certain hours in a day.
   

2. Time To Think
   The key to working smarter and not harder is to have time to ponder what you want to do for each task of the day. Take the time that is best for you to consider each problem you are working on. For some of us, this is in the morning. For others, it’s the afternoon. Going to a different space, a conference room, a coffee shop, a room away from your office, computer, and phone can help you focus without distractions. You will be surprised how much you can solve in 30 minutes of silence.
   

3. Have Only One Goal
   I love lists! They help me stay organized and since I know things are on the list, there’s less I have to work to remember. Plus I get a feeling of accomplishment when I check a task as complete. However, prioritizing what needs to be done can be overwhelming and distracting, like a dog chasing squirrels in the woods. The best solution is to have one goal and no more than three tasks to focus on at a time. Blocking time with one task is best. When doing that task, shut down all communication like email, text, Slack, etc. Every interruption will add at least 15 minutes to the time it takes to get that task done. Delegate other tasks and follow up with them weekly, not hourly. To prioritize, consider how much revenue is being brought in by the task you are doing.

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• How to Use LinkedIn Ad Library Like a Pro Marketer. Learn how to analyze competitor ads, and optimize your campaigns (Link)

• Google Algorithm Updates 2024 Infographic (Link)

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• 100 most asked questions on Google in the U.S. (Link)

AI News

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• Intel is finally getting into the AI space. A Data Scientist's GenAI Survival Guide (Link)

• Nvidia CEO says his AI chips are improving faster than Moore’s Law (Link)

• Panasonic unveils an AI-powered wellness coach, powered by Anthropic’s Claude (Link)

• Research: Consumers Don’t Want AI to Seem Human (Link)

• How to program your iPhone's Action Button to summon ChatGPT's voice assistant (Link)

Cool Tools

• Mirwork - AI Interview Practice Partner (Link)

• UniDeck - No-Code Dashboard (Link)

• Magic Patterns - Prototype your product ideas with AI (Link)

• Flair - AI product photoshoot (Link)

• Mix Audio - AI music generator (Link)