6 productivity videos you must watch

Finding genuinely useful productivity videos can be a challenge. Many promote toxic ideas like sacrificing sleep for work or propagate outdated advice that just doesn't resonate. What's more, productivity isn't a one-size-fits-all concept, making it even harder to find content that truly fits your needs.

That's why we've curated a list of top-notch videos from trusted productivity YouTubers who emphasize a healthy, balanced, and sustainable approach. These experts share their personal experiences and innovative ideas, often offering fresh and unconventional insights.

So, grab your favorite cup of coffee, and let's dive into these inspiring productivity videos that can truly transform your workflow.

1. How to Organize Your Digital Life in Seconds (PARA Method)

Tiago Forte (266k subscribers)

If you haven’t heard about Tiago and his book Second Brain, this video is a good place to start. Tiago presents a simple and intuitive method for organizing all your files, projects, ideas, and data into four categories: projects, areas, resources, and archives (PARA). This method allows you to break down long-term goals into bite-sized projects and creates an organized environment for your work, be it writing a book, managing kids’ schedules, or launching an app. 

Watch if you are looking for a simple yet effective way to organize all your projects and data.

2. Note-Taking versus Note-Making

Anne-Laure Le Cunff (9k subscribers)

Anne-Laure is not just a productivity expert—she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology and neuroscience, and she transforms neuroscientist research into actionable practical methods and tips. This short video is no exception. Anne-Laure demonstrates how note-making is much more effective and beneficial than note-taking and what the difference is between them in the first place. We love it cause it focuses on how valuable active reading and annotating are - something we ensure is accessible to all PDF Expert users. 

Watch if you are looking for ways to learn new information more efficiently and work on new ideas. 

3. You're simplifying your life wrong

Akta (39k subscribers)

This is an inspirational video essay on how we all tend to overcomplicate simple things in our lives—starting with day-to-day planning and ending with relationships. Akta talks about the importance of values as being a primary point you can rely on if you happen to be overwhelmed with life. She has left her dentistry job and is sharing her experience on the path to a more сonsious and creative life. 

Watch if you feel that you are falling behind in one or several areas of your life. 

4. Core Idea: Deep Work

Cal Newport (225k subscribers)

Professor Newport provides a comprehensive explanation of deep work and how it can become a competitive advantage for your career or business. It is based on his popular Deep Work book, which highlights the importance of focused work with no distractions. He compares ‘shallow work’ with constant context change, like checking email and messages, which keeps us busy, to truly productive deep-focused work, which is critical to moving the needle and producing value. 

Watch if you struggle to organize deep work sessions to accomplish your projects. 

5. How to stop procrastinating and actually be productive in 2024

Rachelle in theory (55k subscribers)

Rachelle discusses procrastination and how too much planning can get you stuck. She proposes simple steps for actually starting a task, like making the action as attractive as the planning and breaking down big projects into bite-sized tasks. These are not revolutionary ideas. However, her explanation and examples are really simple and will make you feel well-equipped and motivated. 

Watch if you need a gentle push to move from planning to acting. 

6. Productivity is making you miserable

Daniel Titchener (466k subscribers)

In this personal and honest video, Daniel, a popular architect, discusses how the concept of obsessive productivity can lead to anxiety and burnout. His main point is that it is crucial to enjoy the journey while pursuing our goals and ambitions and not to attach our self-worth entirely to our careers. He suggests putting things into perspective and accepting that life is unpredictable and we cannot control everything. He recommends not taking productivity too seriously and prioritizing time with loved ones, rest, and hobbies. 

Watch if you’ve been overworked lately. 

We hope these videos will motivate you and give you tools for building a sustainable productivity system in your life. Share your feedback, ideas, and favorite productivity blogs with us on Facebook and X!