As a tabletop roleplaying game designer, creativity is my lifeblood—but so is productivity. Balancing endless creative ideas with the practical need to produce content can be a challenge and i'm pretty sure i'm not the only one on that boat.

Fortunately, several productivity techniques can help you streamline your workflow and keep your creative juices flowing.

In this article, we’ll explore six methods that I'm slowly incorporating in my daily process that shows results so jump in with me as I present to you these techniques!

What It Is
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method where you work in focused intervals—traditionally 25 minutes of concentrated effort—followed by a 5-minute break. After four “Pomodoros,” you take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

How It Can Help You

• Focused Creativity: Use those 25 minutes to draft adventure ideas, design a new monster, or refine game mechanics without distractions.
• Prevents Burnout: The regular breaks give your mind time to rest, which is crucial when you're deep in creative thought.
• Track Progress: Each completed Pomodoro is a small win, helping you see your progress and stay motivated.

How To Do It

Start by setting a timer for 25 minutes and commit to working on one specific task during that interval—no interruptions allowed. When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break to stretch, grab a drink, or step away from your workspace and repeat.

After four sessions, reward yourself with a longer break to recharge. Use a notebook or an app to log each Pomodoro, which can help you assess your productivity and adjust the intervals if needed.

Check out this website for a great Pomodoro Technique manager!

What It Is
The 3/3/3 Method divides your day into three focused work segments. In each segment, select three specific tasks to accomplish, dedicating a set block of time to work intensively on them. This method encourages clarity and prioritization by breaking your creative workload into manageable chunks.

How It Can Help You

• Structured Creativity: Break down large projects—like designing an entire campaign or a detailed rule system—into three major components (e.g., world-building, mechanics, narrative hooks).
• Daily Milestones: By setting three tasks per segment, you ensure consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the project.
• Flexibility: You can adjust the length of each work segment based on your energy levels and the complexity of tasks.

How To Do It

Begin your day by listing out all your tasks and then selecting three top priorities for each of the three segments of your workday. Allocate a specific time slot for each segment—say, morning, midday, and afternoon—and focus solely on those three tasks during each block.

Avoid multitasking, and at the end of each segment, review your progress before moving on. This segmentation will help you keep your focus sharp and your creative output steady.

What It Is
The Eisenhower Matrix is a prioritization tool that divides your tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:

How It Can Help You

• Prioritize Effectively: Separate time-sensitive deadlines (like a game convention submission) from long-term creative projects (like world lore development).
• Avoid Distractions: Focus on what truly moves your design projects forward, rather than getting sidetracked by non-critical tasks.
• Plan Your Day: Allocate your best creative hours to the tasks that fall into the “Important, but Not Urgent” quadrant to prevent future stress.

How To Do It

Take a sheet of paper or open a digital tool and draw a large square divided into four smaller squares. Label each quadrant with the categories mentioned above. Write down all your current tasks and place each one into the appropriate quadrant.

Tackle tasks in the “Urgent and Important” box immediately, schedule the “Important, but Not Urgent” tasks for dedicated time slots, delegate or outsource the “Urgent, but Not Important” tasks if possible, and consider eliminating the “Neither Urgent nor Important” items.

Revisit and adjust your matrix daily to ensure you’re always working on what matters most.

What It Is
Frist brought up by Mark Twain but popularized by Brian Tracy, the Eat The Frog Technique encourages you to tackle your most challenging/dreaded task first thing in the day.

How It Can Help You

• Beat Procrastination: Whether it’s finishing a complex encounter design or overhauling an outdated game mechanic, knocking out the toughest task early sets a productive tone.
• Build Confidence: Conquering difficult tasks in the morning boosts your confidence and frees up mental space for creative exploration later in the day.
• Reduce Anxiety: By addressing the hardest part of your work right away, you minimize the stress of having that task hanging over you all day.

How To Do It

At the start of your day, identify the one task that you’ve been dreading but is critical to your project. Write it down and commit to working on it as soon as you begin your workday.

Avoid checking emails or engaging in any other tasks until this “frog” is dealt with. Focus solely on that task, breaking it into smaller steps if necessary. Once completed, relish the sense of accomplishment, and use that momentum to tackle the rest of your tasks with renewed energy.

"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."

- Mark Twain

What It Is
Inspired by comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s habit of “not breaking the chain,” this strategy involves setting a daily goal and marking an ‘X’ on your calendar every day you complete it. Over time, you build a visual chain of consistency that motivates you to keep the streak unbroken.

How It Can Help

• Consistency is Key: Whether it’s writing a certain number of words for your game’s lore or sketching one new monster per day, the Seinfeld Strategy helps turn daily actions into habits.
• Visual Motivation: Watching your chain grow can be incredibly satisfying, reinforcing your commitment to regular creative work.
• Small Wins Matter: Even on days when you’re not feeling inspired, accomplishing a small task keeps the momentum going.

How To Do It

Decide on one key task that is vital to your creative process—this could be writing, sketching, or designing—and commit to doing it every single day. Use a physical calendar or a digital app to mark an ‘X’ for each day you complete the task. Make it a ritual to look at your calendar each morning, and let the growing chain motivate you to keep the streak alive.

If you ever break the chain, challenge yourself to start over, using the reset as a learning opportunity and a chance to build an even longer streak.

What It Is
Time Blocking involves dividing your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or activities. This technique helps create structure by assigning every hour of your day a purpose.

How It Can Help

• Eliminate Distractions: By allocating time slots for focused work, meetings, and breaks, you minimize interruptions and maintain a clear schedule.
• Balance Creativity and Administration: Use blocks for deep creative work, playtesting sessions, research, and even administrative tasks like emails or social media management.
• Plan Ahead: Time Blocking encourages you to map out your day, so you’re prepared for intense creative sessions without the last-minute scramble to figure out what to do next.

How To Do It

Start by listing all your tasks for the day, then estimate how much time each will require. Use a planner or digital calendar to block off specific periods for each activity, ensuring you include time for breaks and unexpected tasks.

Stick to these blocks as closely as possible, treating them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. Adjust as needed based on your productivity levels, but try to maintain a consistent routine.

This structured approach can help you transition seamlessly between tasks and ensure that every minute is used effectively.

Productivity isn’t just about cranking out work—it’s about making your creative process more efficient and enjoyable. As a TTRPG creator, integrating one or more of these techniques can help you stay organized, focused, and consistently productive.

Remember, the key is to experiment and find what combination of methods works best for your workflow. Over time, these strategies can help transform your creative process and help your visions become reality while maintaining a healthy work-life balance (without burning out!)

Which technique speaks to you the most?