Laura Whaley, a prominent TikTok creator known as your “virtual work bestie,” is captured here in a vibrant park setting in Langford, B.C. Ms. Whaley passionately advocates for the “5 to 9 before 9 to 5” strategy, a technique she credits for enhancing her productivity.
Although it may seem paradoxical to utilize an app primarily recognized for its endless scrolling and entertainment to boost productivity, TikTok has emerged as a popular venue for efficiency inspiration and work-related wisdom.
A simple search for “productivity hacks” on TikTok yields a staggering 83.5 million posts, with numerous creators captivating audiences and garnering over a million views as they dissect the latest and most effective methods for work optimization.
Residing in Vancouver, Laura Whaley has amassed an impressive following of 3.9 million TikTok users. She began sharing thought-provoking videos about work and productivity in November 2020, and her content rapidly resonated with viewers, allowing her to establish herself as a go-to source for workplace tips. Drawing from her corporate background, she offers daily insights on navigating various workplace scenarios—from implementing boundaries to handling difficult conversations with employers and managing workload effectively.
Ms. Whaley expresses little surprise at the trend of individuals seeking productivity assistance on TikTok, noting that users desire the same validation and understanding they seek from social media in general.
“The overall theme is relatability,” Ms. Whaley asserts, emphasizing that viewers often see themselves reflected through the screen when watching others share their work routines.
While content centered on work and personal productivity may initially appear “kind of boring,” she asserts such material is what truly resonates with audiences because it closely mirrors their everyday lives.
‘Set the tone’ for your work day
According to Ms. Whaley, many productivity methods trending on TikTok can indeed be beneficial, but individuals should consider what aligns best with their distinct strengths and work styles.
“I don’t think that just because a productivity tip or hack works really well for someone, that it’s going to land the same for you,” she observes. Embracing the popular “5 to 9 before 9 to 5” approach, she dedicates her morning hours to personal and professional development before engaging in work for others.
“The rule of thumb is I work for myself, or on myself, before I work for anybody else,” Ms. Whaley emphasizes.
This approach often involves morning activities that foster her productivity for the day ahead, such as physical exercise. “When my alarm goes off, [it’s] non-negotiable – I’m getting up, I’m making sure I have at least two hours before my work day starts,” Ms. Whaley explains. “When you open a laptop right away, you haven’t given yourself time to even wake up. So for me, [the routine] sets the tone for the rest of the day and that helps me be productive.”
Additionally, Ms. Whaley employs time blocking, meticulously organizing every aspect of her day into segments designated for specific tasks. She believes this technique safeguards her time, empowers her to manage its use effectively, and provides a comprehensive overview of her workload, allowing her to make informed decisions about accepting new projects as they arise.
A ‘low dopamine’ morning
Echoing similar sentiments, Calgary-based therapist and content creator Simone Saunders has adopted a productivity strategy she describes as a “low dopamine morning routine,” which resonates with her more than 500,000 TikTok followers. As someone with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Ms. Saunders finds that this routine significantly contributes to maintaining her focus throughout the day.
“For [people with] ADHD brains, they tend to constantly seek out stimulation rather than prioritizing things that are objectively the most important,” she remarks. “I find that if I start my morning off really stimulated, it typically derails my day or it sends me down the road for a day where I’m highly distracted.”
To prevent an immediate morning dopamine spike, Ms. Saunders consciously avoids stimulating activities and begins her day instead with low-dopamine chores like doing laundry.
“I hate doing laundry, but if I’m up in the morning and I don’t touch my phone and my brain doesn’t have anything to compare the activity to, it’s much easier for me to say, ‘Okay, I’m going to do my laundry right now, I’m going to make my bed, I’m going to go for a walk.’”
Ms. Saunders stresses that her low-dopamine morning routine isn’t necessarily about amplifying productivity.
“It’s about the fact that I do need to get my laundry done and I know I feel better when I have clothes that I can choose from, but it’s hard for me to do it at different times in the day,” she explains. “So [this is] how I can make myself feel well later on.”
While most people must work to sustain their livelihoods, “I would say that feeling well should be the ultimate goal,” she adds.
To enhance our ability to work effectively, prioritizing our mental and physical health is essential. Ms. Saunders proposes reframing our perspective on productivity from a question of ‘How much can I get done?’ to ‘How can I best set myself up for personal success?’
Intrigued? More TikTok productivity hacks to try:
Pomodoro technique: Set a timer for 25 minutes. Concentrate deeply on a task until the timer sounds. Follow this with a five-minute break, repeating this cycle four times before enjoying a longer 15-30 minute break.
Scary hour: Allocate one hour each day to confront tasks you’ve been procrastinating due to anxiety.
Body doubling: Often useful for individuals with ADHD, this technique involves completing tasks in the presence of another person (either physically or virtually) to maintain motivation and focus.
Five-minute rule: Set a timer for five minutes. Begin tackling a task you’ve been postponing, only committing to those initial five minutes, and often you’ll find yourself continuing until completion.
**Interview with Laura Whaley: Your ”Virtual Work Bestie” on TikTok Productivity Hacks**
**Editor:** Laura, thank you for joining us today! You have a fascinating approach to productivity with your “5 to 9 before 9 to 5” strategy. Can you tell us a bit more about what inspired you to adopt this method?
**Laura Whaley:** Thank you so much for having me! I adopted the “5 to 9 before 9 to 5” strategy because I realized that dedicating the early morning hours to my personal and professional development allows me to set a positive tone for the rest of my day. Instead of jumping straight into work, I take time for myself—exercising, journaling, or pursuing a passion project—which helps me focus and feel more accomplished when I start my official workday.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting perspective! You emphasize the importance of relatability in your content on TikTok. Why do you think people are turning to platforms like TikTok for productivity tips?
**Laura Whaley:** I believe it’s all about connection. Users seek validation and understanding through social media, and seeing someone else share their work routines resonates with them. They want to know they’re not alone in their struggles and that others experience similar challenges in the workplace. My content reflects real, relatable experiences that many people face, which is why it resonates.
**Editor:** With a massive audience of 3.9 million followers, how do you decide what productivity hacks to showcase? Do you find that certain tips resonate more than others?
**Laura Whaley:** Absolutely! While I share productivity methods I find effective, I always remind my audience that not every tip will work for everyone. It’s crucial for individuals to explore and find what aligns with their strengths. I often gauge the response to various hacks through comments and direct messages, which helps me understand what really connects with my followers.
**Editor:** You mentioned time blocking as another method you use. How does that influence your productivity?
**Laura Whaley:** Time blocking is a game changer for me! By organizing my day into segments dedicated to specific tasks, I can manage my time effectively and prevent distractions. It gives me a comprehensive overview of my workload, allowing me to make better-informed decisions regarding new projects, rather than feeling overwhelmed or scattered.
**Editor:** Lastly, do you have any advice for individuals struggling to find their own productivity strategies?
**Laura Whaley:** My biggest piece of advice is to be patient and experiment with different strategies. Start small—try implementing a morning routine or use time blocking for one day a week, and see how it feels. Remember, what works for me might not work for you, so find what makes you feel most productive and fulfilled. And most importantly, prioritize your mental and physical health. Feeling well should always be the ultimate goal!
**Editor:** Thank you, Laura! Your insights are truly enlightening, and it’s clear that your approach to productivity is not only effective but also deeply personal.
**Laura Whaley:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey and hope it inspires others to find their own paths to productivity!