This helped me! I use a little Pomodoro app and set it for 45 mins. My goal is just to sit down and do some of my work during that time. I usually find the momentum in there but sometimes don't. Also important for me to rest and be realistic when I need to (e.g. illness) and communicate that instead of pushing through which often just compounds stress and procrastination.
Dec 9, 2024
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There are two useful ways to time things. The first is to set a timer when you know you need to start doing something (like work, laundry, or get ready to leave the house) but you don’t currently have the willpower to do it. Set a timer (any amount of time will do—I often choose 10 minutes) and allow yourself exactly that long to scroll on your phone or whatever it is you’re doing (probably scrolling on your phone). There’s something rapturous about the combination of knowing you’ve done something proactive towards the thing you need to do while still getting to enjoy not doing it. When the timer goes off, you have to get up. No cheating—the timer is God.The second useful way to time things is to start a stopwatch before you do a chore you dread (like cleaning the kitchen, watering the plants, or showering) and then stop it when you’re done and see how little time it actually takes. It’s always less than you’d think. I once learned it took me just over three minutes to water every plant in my house, and I have over 10 plants! Recently I was sick and after days of being a gremlin, it took me 18 minutes to scrub my kitchen sparkling clean. That’s really not so bad. It’s good to know how long things take. It puts your whining in perspective.
Jun 6, 2023
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I put my phone in another room. I agree with aidanaguirre about using the Pomodoro technique; that was instrumental to me in developing my sense of work ethic and discipline. A major part of productivity is just removing temptations and distractions so that it's not even an option to do anything but work.
I use kanban style project management software to plan out projects. You could obviously just use calendars or a planner but for longer term projects i find this to be really helpful. in the past i would break these projects up into small chunks of progress and reward myself throughout the day with a little treat every time I completed a chunk... so I would say the carrot stick method of conditioning yourself to associate progress with a reward helps.
If your work is more task based I would recommend making to-do lists; sometimes I’ve also created schedules for the completion of to-do lists and rigidly adhered to them. Setting goals helps too!
At my most productive times I would diffuse a scent that I would only use while working and play ASMR ambience or field recordings associated with that scent (forest essential oil blend and forest sounds for example) to create kind of a relaxing sensory experience where the connection to productivity would grow stronger every time I was successful with it… advanced productivity hack.
Controversial but intermittent fasting helps my mind stay clear and focused in my sedentary work…
Going into nature on a regular basis helps me, spending time with my pets, eating good food, and also making sure to fully decompress at the end of the day with yin yoga and a hot bath.
May 23, 2024
* Prioritize your most important tasks and start on them first thing in the morning so that you get them done and out of the way and have room to move to easier things that take less time and energy.
* This also goes for the tasks that stress you out the most—best to get them out of the way so that you’re not procrastinating and thinking about them all day.
* Dedicate specific times in the day for administrative tasks and do them all together as a chunk.
* Use to-do lists or project management software like Trello or Toggl Plan. Weirdly I’ve been really loving Microsoft Notebook but I guess it makes sense because I used to be really into Evernote. You could try Notion too.
* Pomodoro technique for building focus… 25 minutes working, 5 minute break.
* Eliminate distractions when you’re trying to get things done! Use content blockers on your phone and computer if you have to.
* I like to create a working atmosphere that’s separate and distinct from my personal life, so I’ll play specific music or ambient sounds and diffuse the same essential oil blend or burn the same incense.
* Find ways to automate tasks… this isn’t AI it’s simple robotic process automation and it’s awesome! It frees up time you spend doing irritating repetitive tasks to do more impactful work. Look into something like Power Automate or Zapier.
Dec 16, 2024
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Get used to different time zone, return with desired bedtime
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