When you think of productivity tools, you probably think of apps and other technological tools. Unfortunately, apps are not the route to greater productivity. As a matter of fact, technology often consumes more time than it saves. Here are my 13 favorite productivity tools, none of which require technology and all of which increase productivity:

1. Strategic clarity

Having a clear idea of your big picture goals and how you have to play the game to succeed is the precursor to productivity. This includes knowing what you won’t do. True strategic clarity is as much a tool as a compass. It informs and guides all of your decisions. It is your North Star.

Strategic clarity isn’t all business, however. Personal goals matter too. That’s why employers should look beyond credentials and employees beyond salaries and titles.

2. In-the-moment clarity

You are most productive when, at any given moment, you know exactly what you are trying to accomplish, how, how well, with whom, and by when. With in-the-moment clarity, you can dive in with confidence, get in the zone, and fly.

3. Commitment

If you don’t care about achieving your goals, whether big, long-term goals or the task at hand, your productivity will suffer. Decide to do it or find an alternative. Waffling and pretending waste untold time.

I took a term off the fall of my senior year in college. When I returned, I was shocked by all the procrastination. My new attitude was either do the work or don’t do it. The in between was pointless. Why waste time poking at the edges when you could be off playing instead?

4. The word “no”

“No” is a great word that should be used to refuse requests that are not aligned with #1 and #2. Dismiss the shoulds and guilt so you can focus on the things that really matter.

5. The courage to say “no”

“No” is a wonderful tool if you have the courage to use it. We create our own trouble when we fail to say “No” to distractions. Sometimes we lack the courage or confidence.

6. The delete button

Your productivity hinges on your ability to use the delete button ruthlessly and with speed! Good targets include emails irrelevant to your strategic goals, documents that you will probably never look at again, apps that just waste your time, and “stuff” that will clutter your life. Some of these require a recycling bin or wastebasket instead of a button, but I think you get the idea.

7. A calendar

A calendar is far better than a to-do list. Choose one with small boxes so you can’t kid yourself about how much you can accomplish in a day. To-do lists are trouble because they are disconnected from reality and that 24-hour limitation that none of us can change.

8. A big empty table

Your desk is haunted. By past projects and future projects. By obligations and worries. By papers bedecking your peripheral vision. By open computer applications. When you want to be productive, retreat to a big empty surface with nothing but the materials needed for the project at hand.

9. A 5” x 7” pad

Keep a little pad at the side of your work surface. This is where you jot down distracting thoughts so you can quit thinking about them until later.

10. Door, mute button, and other do-not-disturb mechanisms

Focus is essential to productivity. Every time you are bumped out of your thought process by an interruption, you have to figure out where you are and ramp back up. When possible, block out interruptions. That includes all the ways you interrupt yourself! Put the cell phone away. Turn off notifications.

11. A good night’s sleep

Most Americans don’t get enough sleep so that probably includes you. If you are operating at a frenetic pace with insufficient sleep, you may feel productive, but you are probably only busy. Get some sleep.

12. Regular exercise and a smart diet

Sleep isn’t enough. Exercise and diet are equally important. Who do you think is more productive? The person who feels lethargic, achy, weak, and exhausted or the person who feels energetic, fit, and eager?

13. Discipline

In particular, you need to invoke the discipline to create in-the-moment clarity before diving in. Without in-the-moment clarity, you will wander in, fish, and guess. Don’t do that. It’s a waste of time.

Apply these 13 tools to achieve the clarity, commitment, and focus that can dramatically increase your productivity.

Ann Latham is an expert on strategic clarity and author of The Clarity Papers.

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This article first appeared on Forbes, April 15th, 2018.