Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 104 posts

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#61

Post by biswaroop »

Nobody's mentioned Strava yet. (Other sports trackers work as well)

Cycling and running every morning does the trick for me. Starting the day early with the burning desire to complete something in the shortest possible time leaves you applying that mindset to everything else you do. Sadly, this also means I'm noticeably less efficient on days I don't exercise in the morning.

Keeping track of my rides and runs gives me a good perspective on competition. I'm trying to beat my own records, and see how I compare to others. I feel a constant need to improve, and this helps me push myself in a healthy way in other tasks.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#62

Post by KerryJones »

I think you're definitely on the right track, but I have a slightly different philosophy.

I try not to use any sort of app -- as I believe that can be used as a crux -- other than what I have learned. So, I have learned a few key points.

* Focus on less things [http://jamesclear.com/buffett-focus]

* Don't break the chain [https://www.writersstore.com/dont-break-the-chain-jerry-sein...]

* Be present in every moment (don't multi-task, either with thought or action) [https://www.amazon.com/Way-Peaceful-Warrior-Changes-Lives/dp...]

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#63

Post by pramit »

Shameless plug: The Success Manual https://www.thesuccessmanual.in/category/time-management-pro...

45 Things You Should Know About Being A Productivity Superstar http://www.thesuccessmanual.in/chapter/45-things-you-should-...

The 25 Most Useful Productivity Methods http://www.thesuccessmanual.in/chapter/the-25-most-useful-pr...

20+ Best Productivity Techniques For The Workplace http://www.thesuccessmanual.in/chapter/20-best-productivity-...

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#65

Post by yc8329 »

Whilst @ work, I try the following: __Stayfocusd -> Nuclear option (blocks access to websites you identify as blocked. 2-3 hour sprints is what I attempt) __Switcheroo (I redirect multiple click-bait news websites that I involuntarily type to HN) __Use 'Distraction Free' mode on editors I use for programming (IDE / TextEditor - e.g. SublimeText) __RescueTime (to reflect on how it all turned out) __I mute conversations in apps that permit it

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#66

Post by yc8329 »

yc8329 wrote: post #65

Whilst @ work, I try the following: __Stayfocusd -> Nuclear option (blocks access to websites you identify as blocked. 2-3 hour sprints is what I attempt) __Switcheroo (I redirect multiple click-bait news websites that I involuntarily type to HN) __Use 'Distraction Free' mode on editors I use for programming (IDE / TextEditor - e.g. SublimeText) __RescueTime (to reflect on how it all turned out) __I mute conversation…

Oh, and I'm never logged into FB / Twitter in my browser and my password is 50+ characters long.

The underlying theme is context switching is pretty darn expensive.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#67

Post by wingerlang »

fratlas wrote: post #60
Omnipresent wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm genuinely curious to know what phone or plan you use that only runs maps and camera. Google Maps or soemthing like openstreet map? I'm looking to do something similar. Any info would be appreciated.

It's an iPhone 4 with a broken mic which I got for free. It's too old to run a lot of distracting apps (VSCO, Snapchat etc) and I can't call people. I have a $20/month (AUD) prepaid plan for 1GB data which gets me through easily. I guess it can only figuratively run maps/camera, but it's enough to keep me from using it 24/7. Battery also lasts several days because I use it so little.

I use and iPhone 4 (conveniently my mic is also broken) and I am not upgrading since I get /so/ much use of it. I feel it can run everything I would want from a smart phone.

My battery lasts like 10 minutes though, and the camera is kind of broken.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#68

Post by atlih »

What we are dealing with here is what the author Steven Pressfield calls "Resistance". He has two great books on the subject that helped me a lot and you should check out: The War of Art (2002) and Do The Work (2011)

Procrastination is basically a consequence of letting resistance run amok and by dismantling the resistance, all the wind goes out of the procrastination.

Looking for an app or some cutting edge new way to deal with a 10.000 year old problem (that was also solved 10.000 years ago) is pretty much just putting a band-aid on it.

Re: Ask HN: How do you create productive habits?

#70

Post by fratlas »

wingerlang wrote: post #67
fratlas wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's an iPhone 4 with a broken mic which I got for free. It's too old to run a lot of distracting apps (VSCO, Snapchat etc) and I can't call people. I have a $20/month (AUD) prepaid plan for 1GB data which gets me through easily. I guess it can only figuratively run maps/camera, but it's enough to keep me from using it 24/7. Battery also lasts several days because I use it so little.

I use and iPhone 4 (conveniently my mic is also broken) and I am not upgrading since I get /so/ much use of it. I feel it can run everything I would want from a smart phone. My battery lasts like 10 minutes though, and the camera is kind of broken.

I swear every iPhone 4 has their home button and mic broken eventually. I think the battery life dives dramatically after some point which I haven't reached. Will probably upgrade after that happens.
Post reply on HN