Reclaim.ai Blog

Productivity tips, calendar hacks, & product updates from the Reclaim team.

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work: 8 Tips to Maximize Productivity
April 15, 2022

Have you ever sat down to work on a project that demands your full focus – like debugging some code, writing an article, or building out a strategic plan – and totally lost track of time because you were so engaged in the work? This awesome experience has been coined as a flow state, which can be best described as functioning completely “in the zone”. Flow states are best achieved during deep work, where you are dedicated and focused on a single task for an extended chunk of time and can really get into the problem at hand. It’s in these deep work sessions when we are the most innovative, creative, and up to 500% more productive. 

Deep work and shallow work differentiate intensely cognitively demanding activities (like writing, analyzing, designing, or researching) vs. non-cognitively demanding activities (like emails, calls, and quick to-dos). Understanding the benefits of both allows you to maximize your productivity by dividing your workload into dedicated focus time blocks for your high-value projects, and smaller time blocks to knock out your miscellaneous, smaller tasks that don't require as much mental exertion.

Read on to learn more about deep work vs. shallow work, and how making time for both across your schedule can help you get more quality work accomplished every week.

What is deep work?

What is deep work and where does the term actually come from? Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University and author of multiple best-selling books on productivity and time-management, is best known for exploring the concept in his book ‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’. Newport defines deep work as the ability to focus on a task without distractions as to maximize cognitive capabilities, allowing you to produce better quality work in less time. 

Examples of deep work:

  • Researching
  • Writing thoughtful content
  • Analyzing data
  • Developing strategy

But, as Newport also shares – it’s not easy to make time for deep work in the modern workplace. 

In fact, it takes about 15-20 minutes to reach a productive deep work flow state, and every time you’re distracted from the task at hand, that clock resets thanks to context switching. And since the average independent worker is interrupted a whopping 31.6 times/day, that means they’re getting pulled out of their task work every 15 minutes, making it basically impossible to reach a productive flow state.

While professionals are ‘busier’ than ever, trying to multitask actually reduces productivity by up to 40%. With the constant stream of Slack messages and emails, increasingly demanding workloads due to The Great Resignation, and a 69.7% rise in meetings since the start of the pandemic in 2020 – it is even more difficult for professionals to simply find the time for heads down work in their crazy schedules. Defending time for deep, focused work should be a goal for both workers and companies alike to help advance individual employee skill sets, maximize team efficiency, and drive more innovation for the organization. 

Pros of deep work:

Redefining the hustle of modern worklife is key to unlocking the potential of deep work, and the benefits speak for themselves.

What is shallow work?

Where deep work is focused activity at your maximum cognitive function, shallow work is logistical and administrative tasks and duties that can be done while distracted, that aren’t usually creating new value, and are easily replicated.

Examples of shallow work:

  • Email and chat communication (eg. Slack/Teams)
  • Data entry
  • Pulling reports
  • Checking social media
  • Meeting to meet

Shallow work is the ‘busywork’ undercurrent of our lives. While these tasks still require our time and attention, and are necessary to our goals and priorities, they’re generally of less substance and value than the more demanding to-dos on our plates. The problem is that many professionals find themselves spending most of their days hectically jumping around shallow work – constantly interrupted by new urgencies – and get to the end of the week without sufficient time for heads down work on their big ticket tasks. 

Our recent Task Management Trends Report revealed that both individual contributors and managers wish they had significantly more time for focus work on their task list every week. ICs reported wanting 8.1 more hours/week of additional time for deep focus work, and managers also wish they could defend 8.4 hours/week of dedicated task work time for every member of their team. 

So how do you strike a balance of both shallow and deep work in your schedule? 

8 tips to productively use deep work & shallow work

The average person has about 4-5 hours/day of focus time in them, and is only truly productive for about 3 hours/day. This is why you want to maximize your most productive time for deep work on high-priority, high-value tasks, while also reserving time to stay on top of your shallow work to-dos. 

Here are 8 tips to maximize your productivity across both deep work and shallow work:

1. Prioritize your task list into deep work vs. shallow work

Getting clear on what you need to do is a great start, but instead of aimlessly working through your never-ending list that keeps growing longer every day – make it a regular habit to sort and prioritize your to-dos

Organize your tasks into priority and urgent tasks, and according to deadlines and time estimates of how long each task will take. If everything on your list seems ‘important’, these guides can be helpful in breaking down how to approach each task:

  • Urgent and important: Complete before anything else.
  • Important but not urgent: Block uninterrupted deep work time before deadline.
  • Urgent but unimportant: Delegate, or move to your shallow work list.
  • Neither urgent or important: Remove from your to-do list.

From here you can divide your task list into what will require deep work to complete before the due date, and which tasks can be checked off easily in shallow work sessions or delegated to someone else.

2. Time block (everything) on your calendar 

The first step in accomplishing a task is ensuring that you actually have time to do it. So, if you want it to get done, put it on your calendar. 

Your calendar is a place to organize more than just team meetings and appointments. Time blocking all of your deep work and shallow work to-dos on your calendar, by priority and expected duration, allows you to realistically plan and estimate your real availability. That includes task work, routine habits like lunch and exercise, regular breaks, and even the little to-dos like making a follow-up call or running an errand. This simple strategy can improve your productivity up to 80% by guiding you to focus on one thing at a time. Cal Newport explores this further in his ‘Deep Work’ book, suggesting that fixed-schedule productivity makes deep work specifically more manageable by setting a clear time limit around the session.

3. Create a productive weekly work plan

The start of a new week can be stressful (hello Sunday scaries), especially without a clear action plan on how you’re going to tackle everything on your plate. Creating a weekly work plan aligns your weekly efforts with your priorities and goals, and provides structure for what you’re going to work on and when so you can reduce decision paralysis every day.

If you want a simple template to start with, block time for one or two cognitively demanding deep work tasks in the morning hours before lunch - this is when the average person is most productive. You can then reserve the afternoon hours for shallow work to-dos and meetings. After trying it out for a couple of days, adapt this work plan to accommodate your deep work tasks during your most productive hours to maximize the amount of cognitively demanding tasks you complete every week.

4. Reduce distractions & communicate your availability

Of course, there is an element of self-discipline that comes into play when performing deep work. In order to keep focus, try making your work environment as distraction-free as possible by having a comfortable workspace, setting “Do Not Disturb” on your phone, muting desktop notifications, and committing to not getting sidetracked on the internet (or eliminating access to distracting apps altogether) for your entire deep work session.

And while it’s challenging enough to manage yourself, it can be even more difficult to set and stick to boundaries with others when you’re trying to work. That’s why at Reclaim we set out to automate greater transparency around your availability, without compromising the privacy of your schedule. The Reclaim app allows you to defend time for your Tasks and Habits automatically around your busy schedule, sync your Slack status with your calendar to share context and minimize interruptions during task work or when you're in  Zoom meetings, and auto-schedule Decompression Time after meetings to ensure you get a break and prevent back-to-back meetings. All without the extra work of you having to manually manage it every day. 

5. Limit time in meetings

We’re (not) sorry to say it, but – most meetings (71%!) are completely unproductive. Knowing this makes it that much more unfortunate that the average professional is sitting through 25.6 meetings/week. With so many meetings scattered throughout your workday, it’s nearly impossible to find a solid couple of hours to dedicate towards deep work, and 67% of workers agree that meetings actually end up distracting them from accomplishing their work.

By getting clear on your priorities every week and communicating these on your schedule, it can be easier to start saying no to pointless meetings, and plan for fewer, more productive meetings yourself. Reserve your afternoons for scheduling 1:1s and team meetings so that your mornings can be dedicated to productive deep work, or consider implementing a no-meeting day at your company for everyone to have one day a week dedicated to independent task work! 

6. Integrate project management apps with your calendar

Project management apps are effective tools for managing your team’s workflow, delegating individual tasks to assignees, and organizing project statuses – but there’s a major gap between the to-do list and actually finding the time to get it done.

To avoid the additional task of having to manually time block work items in your calendar (and deal with rescheduling them if something comes up) – many professionals are saving hours every week by integrating their task list from their favorite project management apps right into their weekly schedule. Reclaim currently features native integrations for ClickUpAsana, Jira, Todoist, Linear, and Google Tasks (with more coming soon) directly with Google Calendar.

7. Take breaks after deep work

Pushing yourself to productively work through cognitively demanding deep work tasks does not mean you should be mentally draining yourself. There’s only so much you can take on in a day.

Maybe you find you ‘flow’ best with a couple two-hour focused work sessions in the morning, and a long lunch break before diving into shallow work in the afternoon. Or, if you prefer shorter, more frequent breaks as you find it difficult to get into a flow state, implementing the Pomodoro technique for your deep work might be more effective. This method recommends shorter, distraction-free sessions and mindful break intervals to rest your eyes and drink some water (not hop on social media or check your email). Do what feels best for you, and remember that maximizing your productivity starts by taking care of yourself, to avoid complications like mental exhaustion down the line.

8. Audit your time spent on deep work & shallow work

How many of your planned tasks did you complete this week? What habits did you make time for? What was left unfinished on your to-do list by Friday afternoon? Regularly auditing your calendar can help give you quantitative insight as to where your time is going, whether it is aligned with your goals and priorities, and where it may be getting misallocated. 

Maximizing your productivity also means being proactive and defensive with your time and availability. The average professional wastes almost half of their workday due to a lack of organization, and with at least 150 different tasks on their plate at a time, it’s no shocker that 41% of their to-do list never gets done. Regular time audits can help you pinpoint time sinks, say ‘no’ to things you don’t have time for, and minimize daily distractions – so that you can get more of your task-list done, and defend your limited time for the things that are important to you.

Increase your productivity with deep work 🧠

Finding a balance between deep work and shallow work helps you develop a manageable schedule, keeps you on top of your to-dos, and also defends sufficient time for you to productively work on your most cognitively demanding tasks. 

By tapping into the magic of deep work, and better managing the boring (albeit necessary) everyday shallow busywork – you can work to find greater fulfillment in your skill, get more quality work accomplished in less time, and provide an even better value to your team. As per Cal Newport, “a deep life is a good life”, and in the end that’s really what we’re really all about.

Top Posts

Meeting Scheduling Trends Report: 130+ Scheduling Links Stats

Burnout Trends Report: 200+ Employee Stress Stats by Department

11 Google Calendar Issues You Didn’t Know You Had

Task Management Trends Report: +200 Stats on Managers vs. Individual Contributors

Productivity Trends Report: One-on-One Meeting Statistics

Context Switching Is Destroying Your Workday: Here's How to Fix It

Get your time back.

Automatically find the best time for your tasks, routines, breaks, & 1:1 meetings with Reclaim.ai.

Connect Google Calendar — it's free

No credit card required. Try our free forever plan.

Setting Personal Boundaries at Work: 6 Pro Examples
March 9, 2023

Setting Personal Boundaries at Work: 6 Pro Examples

Setting personal boundaries at work reduces burnout, limits interruptions, and improves work-life balance. Here's your 6-step guide to protect your time, energy, and wellbeing.
Me, a Micromanager? 5 Ways To Better Lead Your Team
January 30, 2023

Me, a Micromanager? 5 Ways To Better Lead Your Team

Nobody thinks they're a micromanager, yet 79% of employees feel micromanaged at work. Learn common micromanagement examples, negative effects, and 5 strategies to be a better leader for your team.
Time Scarcity: 7 Steps to Change Your Mindset
January 20, 2023

Time Scarcity: 7 Steps to Change Your Mindset

Never have enough hours in a day? Time scarcity can feel like the clock is against you. Learn how to change your mindset for success with 7 tips and make the most of the time you do have every week.
Top 6 Apps for Freelancers & Consultants - 2023 Review
January 17, 2023

Top 6 Apps for Freelancers & Consultants - 2023 Review

The freelance industry is predicted to grow 14% in 6 years, with 56% of professionals considering starting. Here are 6 best apps to help freelancers optimize their workflows and maximize productivity.
New Year, New Me: Why Resolutions Fail + 4 Tips to Succeed in 2023
January 4, 2023

New Year, New Me: Why Resolutions Fail + 4 Tips to Succeed in 2023

Happy New Year! It's a fresh start for big dreams, but despite 41% of people making New Year's resolutions, only 9% will actually achieve them. Here are 4 tips to ensure long-term success in 2023!
4 Meeting Scheduling Automations You Need for Google Calendar in 2023
December 27, 2022

4 Meeting Scheduling Automations You Need for Google Calendar in 2023

Meeting scheduler apps help busy pros better manage meetings, but over half of people report prioritization and flexibility issues. Learn 4 ways to book appointments sooner in Google Calendar.
Always Tired After Work? Types of Fatigue & 5 Tips for More Energy
November 28, 2022

Always Tired After Work? Types of Fatigue & 5 Tips for More Energy

Too tired after work to accomplish any of your personal goals? Learn about the different types of fatigue professionals deal with, plus 5 tips to prevent exhaustion and boost energy levels every day.
9 Reasons to Switch to a Digital Daily Planner Today
November 16, 2022

9 Reasons to Switch to a Digital Daily Planner Today

A daily planner helps organize your time across commitments and to-dos. But are paper or digital planners the better option? Learn about the benefits, plus 9 reasons to choose a digital planner app.
40 Positive Morning Affirmations for More Success (Science-Backed)
November 9, 2022

40 Positive Morning Affirmations for More Success (Science-Backed)

Positive affirmations aren't as woo-woo as you might think. Learn more about the scientific benefits of self-affirmations and how you can start a morning affirmations habit with 40 inspiring examples.
Meeting Scheduling Trends Report: 130+ Scheduling Links Stats
October 27, 2022

Meeting Scheduling Trends Report: 130+ Scheduling Links Stats

The average pro uses scheduling links 7.1 times a week, but over half those meetings end up being canceled or rescheduled. Learn more in the 2022 Meeting Scheduling Trends Report by Reclaim.ai.
Burnout Trends Report: 200+ Employee Stress Stats by Department
October 27, 2022

Burnout Trends Report: 200+ Employee Stress Stats by Department

Employees average a 60.2% burnout rate, with highest contributing issues including lack of focused task time and poor work-life balance. See 200+ stats in the 2022 Burnout Trends Report by Reclaim.ai.
Scheduling Links Dos & Don’ts: 10 Tips for Better Etiquette
October 25, 2022

Scheduling Links Dos & Don’ts: 10 Tips for Better Etiquette

Scheduling links help busy professionals book meetings faster and easier, but automation also comes with unique social challenges. Learn 10 tips for sending meeting links with respect and flexibility.
The Eisenhower Matrix: Important vs. Urgent Tasks Template
October 20, 2022

The Eisenhower Matrix: Important vs. Urgent Tasks Template

Overrun every week, but not getting closer to your goals? Use The Eisenhower Matrix to focus on what's truly important with 5 tips for better task prioritization. Decision matrix template included!
How to Say No Professionally: 7 Work Examples
October 17, 2022

How to Say No Professionally: 7 Work Examples

Individual contributors are already overrun, completing only 53.5% of planned weekly tasks. Learn how to strategically say no to 7 work examples for more productive weeks and better work-life balance.
What is Quiet Quitting? Addressing the Real Issue
September 30, 2022

What is Quiet Quitting? Addressing the Real Issue

Quiet quitting might be currently trending - but it isn't a new issue. Here are the underlying issues leading to employee disengagement, plus tips for companies to create a more positive work culture.
Welcome to The Team! 7 Best Apps for New Hires
September 28, 2022

Welcome to The Team! 7 Best Apps for New Hires

Your team is growing! Here's how to welcome your newest hire on day one, plus 10 app recommendations to boost productivity, organization, and job satisfaction during onboarding and in the long run.
What is a Project Roadmap? 25 Tips + Top Templates
September 26, 2022

What is a Project Roadmap? 25 Tips + Top Templates

A project roadmap lays out the goals and plan for projects so managers, contributors, and stakeholders are on the same page. Learn how to build an effective project roadmap, with 25 tips for success.
5 Time-Efficient Tips for Work
September 14, 2022

5 Time-Efficient Tips for Work

40 hours never feel like enough time in the workweek? Here are 5 tips to become more time efficient at work so you can hit more goals, and protect your time, energy, and work-life balance.
Top 5 Free Apps for Students: Time Management + Productivity
September 1, 2022

Top 5 Free Apps for Students: Time Management + Productivity

88% of students want to improve their time management skills - you too? Here are the top 5 apps to help college students better balance a packed academic calendar and optimize their busy schoolweeks.
How to Create Healthy Habits + 25 Inspiring Examples
August 29, 2022

How to Create Healthy Habits + 25 Inspiring Examples

77% of people intend to create healthier habits, but motivation isn’t always enough. Learn how to start new healthy habits, and see 25 examples for inspiration to get started.
Imposter Syndrome at Work? 5 Tips to Overcome Feeling Like a Fraud
August 19, 2022

Imposter Syndrome at Work? 5 Tips to Overcome Feeling Like a Fraud

Feeling like a fraud at work, or that you don't deserve your job? At least 65% of professionals experience imposter syndrome - here are 5 tips and 10 positive affirmations to overcome it.
100 Fun Ice Breakers & Games for Virtual Meetings
August 17, 2022

100 Fun Ice Breakers & Games for Virtual Meetings

85% of meetings are now held online. Here are 100 fun example ice breaker questions and games for your next virtual meeting to get attendees engaged and warmed-up for a productive session.
The Ultimate Time Blocking Guide - 2023 Edition
August 10, 2022

The Ultimate Time Blocking Guide - 2023 Edition

Time blocking is more than a trend, the most productive people (think Bill Gates and Elon Musk) use it to manage their busy calendars! Here's everything you need to know about starting time blocking.
All-Hands Meeting Dos and Don'ts (+ Agenda Template)
August 3, 2022

All-Hands Meeting Dos and Don'ts (+ Agenda Template)

All-hands meetings are opportunities for companies to connect, align, and build stronger workplace culture. Here are the top dos and don'ts for all-hands meetings, plus a free agenda template.
How to Deprioritize Tasks, Routines & Plans (No Shame!)
July 22, 2022

How to Deprioritize Tasks, Routines & Plans (No Shame!)

Only 9% of execs are ‘very satisfied’ with their time allocation every week. Learn how to effectively deprioritize to optimize productivity and protect your wellbeing with these 5 top tips.
6 Types of External Meetings for Product Teams
July 19, 2022

6 Types of External Meetings for Product Teams

70% of meetings pull workers from more important work. Here are 6 common types of external meetings for product teams, and tips to make them more productive for all meeting attendees.
Top 10 Stretch Goal Benefits for your Team
July 14, 2022

Top 10 Stretch Goal Benefits for your Team

Workplace complacency wrecks productivity, and 66% of US employees say they're unengaged at work. Learn more about how stretch goals inspire motivation, realign teams, and boost performance in teams.
8 Tips to Overcome Mental Block - Prevention Guide
July 13, 2022

8 Tips to Overcome Mental Block - Prevention Guide

Your brain won’t focus, creative thinking is impossible, and imposter syndrome is taking hold? Here are 8 tips to overcome mental block and prevent it from demolishing your productivity in the future.
8 Tips for a Productive Morning Routine (+ Bonus Templates)
July 6, 2022

8 Tips for a Productive Morning Routine (+ Bonus Templates)

Want to learn how to create a productive morning routine? 8 top tips: 1. Start the night before 2. Wake up earlier 3. Make the bed 4. Get some sun 5. Movement 6. Mindfulness 7. Fuel your body 8. Read
6 Best Practices for Productive Status Meetings
July 1, 2022

6 Best Practices for Productive Status Meetings

Effective status meetings are opportunities for companies to review performance and adjust course towards their goals. Learn about 6 types of status meetings, with tips to make them more productive.
Time Anxiety: 7 Causes & How to Overcome
June 29, 2022

Time Anxiety: 7 Causes & How to Overcome

Do you feel like there are never enough hours in the day? Learn about 7 common causes of time anxiety, with practical solutions to help you get the most of your limited time without the extra stress.
How to Manage Google Calendar in Slack
June 23, 2022

How to Manage Google Calendar in Slack

Managing your calendar in Slack benefits include reduced context switching and fewer interruptions in your day. Learn two ways to connect Google Calendar and Slack to be more productive every week.
How to Prioritize Your Tasks in 6 Steps
June 15, 2022

How to Prioritize Your Tasks in 6 Steps

Not everything on your to-do list is equally important (even if it feels like it). Learn how to prioritize your overwhelming task list in 6 steps, and get more from your limited time every week.
This Meeting Could Have Been an Email: 9 Examples to Avoid
June 10, 2022

This Meeting Could Have Been an Email: 9 Examples to Avoid

Professionals spend more than 50% of their workweek in meetings. How many of those could have been an email? Here are 9 unproductive meeting scenarios to avoid - with anecdotes from the community.
Top 5 Availability Calendars for Busy Schedules
June 8, 2022

Top 5 Availability Calendars for Busy Schedules

Automating your meeting workflow with an availability calendar saves 3.3 hours/week on average. Learn more about the best 5 scheduling apps of 2022 for the most common scheduling scenarios.
6 Best Google Calendar Add-Ons in the Marketplace
June 7, 2022

6 Best Google Calendar Add-Ons in the Marketplace

Learn how to make Google Calendar even more productive with 6 free add-ons to help optimize your team's scheduling workflow. Save time and get more accomplished without leaving your calendar.
Managing Interruptions at Work: 6 Worst Distractions
June 1, 2022

Managing Interruptions at Work: 6 Worst Distractions

The average professional is interrupted every 5-15 minutes, but thanks to context switching, that can end up costing you 6 hours/day. Learn how to manage common distractions at work and get more done.
How to Set Daily Goals: 20 Inspiring Example Goals
May 26, 2022

How to Set Daily Goals: 20 Inspiring Example Goals

Do your daily plans set your future up for success? 65% of people say they want to improve their daily goal setting - here's how to set effective targets for each day (with SMART examples).
How to Add Asana Tasks to Google Calendar
May 25, 2022

How to Add Asana Tasks to Google Calendar

Only 51.9% of planned tasks are completed by Asana users every week. Learn how to schedule Asana tasks to Google Calendar via Reclaim.ai, and get more done every sprint.
11 Best Productivity Apps for Managers
May 19, 2022

11 Best Productivity Apps for Managers

Only 50.2% of managers' task time is spent on actually productive work. Check out the 11 best productivity tools to help managers optimize their workweeks, and make more time where there is none.
Feeling Unmotivated at Work? 7 Ways to Get Your Drive Back
May 17, 2022

Feeling Unmotivated at Work? 7 Ways to Get Your Drive Back

1 in 3 employees feel unmotivated and unhappy at work, so how do you stay on track without your drive? Learn what causes demotivation and 7 tips to stay consistent (even when your motivation isn't).
Calendar Heroes: Elisa of M.Y.PhD, PhD Scholar at the University of Konstanz
May 13, 2022

Calendar Heroes: Elisa of M.Y.PhD, PhD Scholar at the University of Konstanz

Learn how PhD student, content creator, and Reclaim.ai user Elisa maximizes her time every week - with productivity tips including Pomodoro timers, deep work, calendar blocking, and yoga.
30 Great Check-In Questions for Managers to Drop in Meetings
May 11, 2022

30 Great Check-In Questions for Managers to Drop in Meetings

See the top 30 check-in questions managers should ask their direct reports in team meetings, one-on-ones, and daily standups to boost productivity and build better relationships with the team.
Meeting Conflicts: 5 Tips for Navigating Conflicting Schedules
May 5, 2022

Meeting Conflicts: 5 Tips for Navigating Conflicting Schedules

With the average professional juggling 25.6 meetings/week, meeting conflicts are inevitable. Learn how to navigate scheduling issues when they come up, with helpful tips to avoid them in the future.
The Best Zoom + Google Calendar Integration for Remote Meetings (Bonus: Works w/ Slack)
May 4, 2022

The Best Zoom + Google Calendar Integration for Remote Meetings (Bonus: Works w/ Slack)

Want to integrate Zoom with Google Calendar to save time scheduling personal and work calendars? 1. Go to the Google Marketplace 2. Search for Zoom 3. Select Zoom for Google Workspace 4. Click Install
Job Satisfaction & Productivity: Rituals for Positive Work Culture
April 29, 2022

Job Satisfaction & Productivity: Rituals for Positive Work Culture

Job satisfaction boosts productivity by 31%, but only 65% of US workers are content with their job. Learn how work satisfaction and productivity are connected, and rituals to boost both in your team.
How to Schedule ClickUp Tasks in Google Calendar
April 27, 2022

How to Schedule ClickUp Tasks in Google Calendar

Without enough time in their busy weeks, ClickUp users only complete 47% of their planned tasks. Sync ClickUp tasks to Google Calendar to automatically schedule time for task work and get more done.
4 Types of Brainstorming Meetings: Tips for Productive Ideation Sessions
April 21, 2022

4 Types of Brainstorming Meetings: Tips for Productive Ideation Sessions

Brainstorming meetings are used to solve complex problems with key members of the team, and develop next steps for a project. Learn the 4 different types of ideation sessions to use for brainstorming.
What is Decision Paralysis? How to Prevent in 4 Steps
April 18, 2022

What is Decision Paralysis? How to Prevent in 4 Steps

Experiencing decision paralysis from an overwhelming task list? 78.7% of people feel stressed by their increasing workloads. Here are 4 steps to help prioritize your time and prevent choice paralysis.
Deep Work vs. Shallow Work: 8 Tips to Maximize Productivity
April 15, 2022

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work: 8 Tips to Maximize Productivity

Entering a ‘flow state’ can boost productivity up to 500%, but many professionals can't find the time for distraction-free deep work on their cognitively demanding tasks. Shallow work may be to blame.
What is Mental Exhaustion? 9 Tips to Prevent a Tired Brain
April 7, 2022

What is Mental Exhaustion? 9 Tips to Prevent a Tired Brain

Feeling overworked, exhausted, and disengaged from your work? 41% of professionals feel burned out. Learn how to overcome mental fatigue, and what you can do to prevent it in the future.
11 Google Calendar Issues You Didn’t Know You Had
April 6, 2022

11 Google Calendar Issues You Didn’t Know You Had

Google Calendar is great, but sometimes it's not enough. Here are 11 problems you're probably experiencing, and how to use Reclaim.ai to make them 10 times better.
Task Management Trends Report: +200 Stats on Managers vs. Individual Contributors
March 29, 2022

Task Management Trends Report: +200 Stats on Managers vs. Individual Contributors

Just 53.5% of planned tasks get completed every week, with ICs only averaging 4.2 hours per day on task work. See over 200 stats in the 2022 Task Management Trends Report by Reclaim.ai.
How to Integrate Notion & Reclaim.ai with Google Calendar
March 21, 2022

How to Integrate Notion & Reclaim.ai with Google Calendar

Time blocking and organizing with Notion are two productivity trends that are here to stay. Learn how to integrate Notion and Reclaim.ai to auto-schedule your task list directly in Google Calendar.
7 Steps to a Productive Weekly Work Plan - Free Template Included
March 17, 2022

7 Steps to a Productive Weekly Work Plan - Free Template Included

Did you know that every minute spent planning saves 10 minutes in execution? Learn how a weekly work plan helps you to reduce stress, accomplish more, and stay on track with your priorities.
What is a Hybrid Work Model? Benefits vs. Challenges
March 2, 2022

What is a Hybrid Work Model? Benefits vs. Challenges

83% of people prefer hybrid work, but how do you balance the benefits of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility? Learn the different types of hybrid work models, benefits, challenges and tips.
How to Add Todoist Tasks to Google Calendar
February 24, 2022

How to Add Todoist Tasks to Google Calendar

96% of people say life is better with to-do lists, but 41% of tasks are never completed! Learn how to sync Todoist with Google Calendar to actually make time to get your tasks done via Reclaim.
8 Best Calendar Apps for Remote Work in 2022
February 22, 2022

8 Best Calendar Apps for Remote Work in 2022

Did you know that the right calendar app can improve your time management by as much as 38%? Compare these 8 popular calendar apps to see which is best for organizing your remote schedule.
How to Schedule Jira Issues in Google Calendar
February 16, 2022

How to Schedule Jira Issues in Google Calendar

Feeling overwhelmed by your ever-evolving Jira task list? Learn how to add Jira issues to Google Calendar so you can schedule time for heads-down work, and increase productivity up to 80%.
Calendar Analysis: How to Audit Your Time & Productivity
January 27, 2022

Calendar Analysis: How to Audit Your Time & Productivity

Why should you audit your time and calendar? People waste up to 40% of their workday when unorganized. Analyze how much time you spend on meetings, tasks, and personal time to better plan your week.
Reclaim's Response to the Log4j Vulnerability
December 29, 2021

Reclaim's Response to the Log4j Vulnerability

As a security-first company who takes the protection and security of our customer data extremely seriously, we’re writing this blog post to share our response to the Log4j CVE vulnerability.
How to Share Google Calendar & Manage Your Availability
December 16, 2021

How to Share Google Calendar & Manage Your Availability

Learn how to share your Google Calendar with another Google Calendar, Outlook or iCloud Calendar, key privacy settings, and the best way to block your availability to avoid double-booking.
Best Planner Apps: Top 5 Tools for Productivity in 2022
December 13, 2021

Best Planner Apps: Top 5 Tools for Productivity in 2022

If you spend just 10-12 minutes planning your day, you’ll save up to 2 hours of time otherwise wasted from poor planning. Learn the top 5 planner apps to keep you organized and productive in 2022.
How to Add Linear.app Issues to Google Calendar
December 1, 2021

How to Add Linear.app Issues to Google Calendar

Less than 50% of issues get completed every cycle, or sprint. Learn how to connect your Linear.app issue tracking projects with Google Calendar so you can make time for important tasks every sprint.
Top 14 Project Management Skills for the Remote Work Era
November 24, 2021

Top 14 Project Management Skills for the Remote Work Era

Which project management skills do you need to lead a remote working team? As the coordinator for a highly complex show, project managers need an arsenal of people skills and technical skills.
Team Meetings: 5 Types & Best Practices for Scheduling
November 12, 2021

Team Meetings: 5 Types & Best Practices for Scheduling

What is a team meeting? A gathering to build relationships, collaborate, share updates, and align your team. But with 50% of the workweek in meetings, orgs need to consider if they’re overscheduling.
Productivity Trends Report: One-on-One Meeting Statistics
November 2, 2021

Productivity Trends Report: One-on-One Meeting Statistics

Meetings have increased 69.7% since before the pandemic. Professionals now average 21.5 hours in meetings each week, with over 500% increase in one-on-one meetings due to the shift to remote work.
Effective 1:1 Meetings: How to Better Prepare & Schedule
October 26, 2021

Effective 1:1 Meetings: How to Better Prepare & Schedule

One on one meetings, or 1:1s, are a recurring check-in between two team members to discuss priorities, projects and goals. But are you using them effectively?
Calendar Heroes: Chris Parsons, Co-Founder & CTO at Lollipop
October 20, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Chris Parsons, Co-Founder & CTO at Lollipop

In this edition of Calendar Heroes, we talk to Chris Parsons, co-founder and CTO of Lollipop, to learn his style, tools, and methods for balancing priorities while leading an early-stage startup.
Calendar Heroes: Vishwesh Jirgale, VP of Engineering at Mindtickle & Angel Investor
October 14, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Vishwesh Jirgale, VP of Engineering at Mindtickle & Angel Investor

VP of Engineering at Mindtickle and Angel Investor, Vishwesh Jirgale, shares how he gets things done and achieves a productive workday. Check it out!
What is Focus Time? How to Prioritize Productivity
October 13, 2021

What is Focus Time? How to Prioritize Productivity

Focus time is a dedicated session for uninterrupted productive work. But with each meeting, Slack message, email and social media distraction, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track.
Calendar Heroes: Philippe Mesritz, VP Customer Experience & Customer Operations at Khoros
October 6, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Philippe Mesritz, VP Customer Experience & Customer Operations at Khoros

VP of customer experience & customer operations at Khoros, Philippe Mesritz shares how he optimizes his time to get things done. Check it out!
Calendar Heroes: Megan Killion, Founder of Coven Cloud & MK Consulting
September 29, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Megan Killion, Founder of Coven Cloud & MK Consulting

Megan is a full-time working mother of four who runs three successful companies, Megan Killion Consulting, newly launched startup Coven Cloud, and a property rental business. See how she makes time!
More Calendar Control for Meetings! Reclaim Free & Busy
September 28, 2021

More Calendar Control for Meetings! Reclaim Free & Busy

Add more productivity and control to your smart calendar with advanced Reclaim free and busy event hashtags. Block time for no-meeting days, focus time, meeting times, and clock-out of task scheduling
Top 7 Time Management Tools (for Busy People)
September 23, 2021

Top 7 Time Management Tools (for Busy People)

82% of people don’t have a time management system, but there are hundreds of apps available to improve productivity for every working style. Find your best fit in the top 7 time management tools list.
Job Burnout: How to Fix at Your Workplace
September 21, 2021

Job Burnout: How to Fix at Your Workplace

Over two-thirds of employees have experienced job burnout recently, and more than 50% of all annual turnover results from burnout. See which signs to look for and how to prevent them at your company.
Top 5 Work Habits to Boost Productivity
September 14, 2021

Top 5 Work Habits to Boost Productivity

See the top 5 work habits to try to boost your productivity. If you’re seeking a promotion, trying to pivot your career, or just simply looking to step your game up in the workplace, this is for you.
Calendar Heroes: Chris Hunt, Staff Site Reliability Engineer at Stack Overflow
September 10, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Chris Hunt, Staff Site Reliability Engineer at Stack Overflow

Working on a team that is spread across 10 different time zones and our Calendar Hero, Chris Hunt lets us in on how he is able to do it. Check it out!
Durable Identity: Employee-Friendly SaaS for Life Changes
September 7, 2021

Durable Identity: Employee-Friendly SaaS for Life Changes

The average person changes jobs every 4.1 years, but you shouldn't have to re-sign up for every SaaS app that often. The future of work will be more durable - your identity will survive life changes.
Weekly Status Reports: 3 Steps to Reduce Meetings & Boost Productivity
August 31, 2021

Weekly Status Reports: 3 Steps to Reduce Meetings & Boost Productivity

"This meeting could’ve been an email.” We're all thinking it. Even 71% of senior managers feel their meetings are unproductive. Reduce meetings and boost productivity with weekly status reports.
The Best Time to Meditate? Prioritize Self-Care
August 26, 2021

The Best Time to Meditate? Prioritize Self-Care

The best time to meditate depends on your intention and your schedule. But no matter when you meditate, you can reap the benefits. The important thing is that you make time for this healthy habit.
Top 6 ADHD Organization Tools
August 24, 2021

Top 6 ADHD Organization Tools

Staying organized can feel like a constant battle for people with ADHD before you find your ideal rhythm and workflow. Here are the top ADHD organization tools to help you become more productive.
No-Meeting Days: Top 4 Advantages & How to Start at Your Company
August 19, 2021

No-Meeting Days: Top 4 Advantages & How to Start at Your Company

Are meetings consuming your workweek? 78% of people feel their meeting schedule is out of control - see how one no-meeting day a week can improve your productivity, team morale and prevent burnout.
Calendar Heroes: Ben Hutton, JSON Schema Specification Lead at Postman
August 17, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Ben Hutton, JSON Schema Specification Lead at Postman

Working as JSON Schema Specification Lead at Postman, Ben shares how he balances priorities while developing the JSON Schema strategy and it's tooling, and supports the open-source community.
Calendar Heroes: Shay Kingsbury, Program Manager | Go To Market at Hootsuite
August 11, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Shay Kingsbury, Program Manager | Go To Market at Hootsuite

Shay Kingsbury at Hootsuite shares how she balances priorities while leading merger and acquisition integration and Go To Market for Sparkcentral at the social media marketing and management platform.
Using Slack ‘Scheduled Send’ + Reclaim.ai to Schedule Messages
August 10, 2021

Using Slack ‘Scheduled Send’ + Reclaim.ai to Schedule Messages

Slack released a much-anticipated feature in June of 2021: scheduled sends for Slack messages. This, paired with some awesome Status syncing capabilities from Reclaim, can help you become a rockstar Slack communicator and role model for your team.
Calendar Heroes: Michele Wiedemer, Manager of Customer Education at Snyk
August 9, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Michele Wiedemer, Manager of Customer Education at Snyk

Michele Wiedemer at Synk shares how she balances priorities while developing the education training program for security champions and developers at the open source security platform.
Best Time to Exercise? Morning, Afternoon or Whenever
August 4, 2021

Best Time to Exercise? Morning, Afternoon or Whenever

Exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day can increase your lifespan by as much as 3 years, and you’ll sleep better and feel less stressed too. Here's how to optimize your workouts for the best time of day.
Make Time to Read: 5 Practical Tips for Busy People
July 28, 2021

Make Time to Read: 5 Practical Tips for Busy People

Reading has amazing benefits, and 35% of people want to do it more. It increases verbal intelligence, makes you a better leader, reduces stress, and fends off Alzheimer’s. Here are 5 tips to try out.
Calendar Heroes: Rohini Pandhi, Product @ Square
July 26, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Rohini Pandhi, Product @ Square

Rohini Pandhi, a Product Lead at Square, shares her style, tools and methodologies for balancing priorities while leading the product efforts for one of the top digital payment companies in the world.
15 Best Slack Apps for the Future of Work
July 22, 2021

15 Best Slack Apps for the Future of Work

Check out the top 15 Slack apps productive teams are using today to build and support the future of work at their organization across calendar management, project management, status updates, HR and team building.
Calendar Heroes: Q&A with Connor MacDonald, CMO at The Ridge
July 19, 2021

Calendar Heroes: Q&A with Connor MacDonald, CMO at The Ridge

Connor MacDonald at The Ridge shares his style, tools and methodologies for balancing priorities while leading the marketing vision for the brand that brought the world the first RFID-blocking wallet.
Clockwise vs. Reclaim.ai: 8 Key Differences in these Smart Calendar Tools
July 7, 2021

Clockwise vs. Reclaim.ai: 8 Key Differences in these Smart Calendar Tools

We get asked almost every day: what's the difference between Reclaim.ai and Clockwise? While we're both in the smart calendar space, there are some key differences to consider.
Naming Calendar Events: 5 Calendar Etiquette Tips
July 2, 2021

Naming Calendar Events: 5 Calendar Etiquette Tips

Need to create better calendar event titles to communicate context to your invitees, colleagues and incoming schedulers? Calendar communication starts with the first thing people see: the event title.
Lunch Breaks: 5 Ways to Improve Your Productivity
June 22, 2021

Lunch Breaks: 5 Ways to Improve Your Productivity

Want to improve your quality of work, energy level, and creativity? In this article, learn 5 ways in which taking a lunch will actually boost your productivity.
Effective Meetings vs. Pointless Meetings: How to Tell the Difference & Prioritize Your Own Time
June 17, 2021

Effective Meetings vs. Pointless Meetings: How to Tell the Difference & Prioritize Your Own Time

Learn the 5 key differences between effective vs. pointless meetings, and 3 tips to avoid unnecessary meetings getting booked on your calendar.
3 Ways to Find Work-Life Balance in the New Normal
June 10, 2021

3 Ways to Find Work-Life Balance in the New Normal

You want work-life balance, but work and life can't separate into equal halves. Forget balance, here are three ways to make work-life harmony a reality.
Reclaim just raised $4.8M in seed funding! 🎉
May 26, 2021

Reclaim just raised $4.8M in seed funding! 🎉

We're excited to announce that Reclaim has raised $4.8M in seed funding led by Index Ventures. Here's what comes next.
Pareto Principle: Using the 80/20 Rule for Priority Management
May 25, 2021

Pareto Principle: Using the 80/20 Rule for Priority Management

How to use the Pareto Principle 80/20 rule to block time for your priorities.
3 Single-Tasking Tips to Improve Your Focus
April 28, 2021

3 Single-Tasking Tips to Improve Your Focus

While you may think multitasking is a skill you can master, only 2.5% of people can do it effectively. Your brain performs best when “single-tasking”, focusing on only one thing at a time.
See more posts

Get the latest productivity trends from Reclaim

Subscribed!
Something went wrong. Please try again.

Ready to Reclaim?

Try it out