51–60 of 81 posts
Do you really think software cannot replace pen & paper completely? Shouldn't that be the goal of any task management software? Why not build this way to focus on the top 1-3 tasks into your product?
A pretty good list of tips, however I've gotten more mileage over the years by digging deeper into my procrastination to understand its roots. Most often than not there is some fear or dissatisfaction tied to the procrastination that needs to be heard. Checking in with myself and becoming aware of these deeper feelings forms the foundation on which long term productivity is possible.
If it takes 5 minutes or less, do it immediately, because scheduling it takes more time. This is the one piece of advise I follow religiously. The dividends are amazing. Less clutter, a feeling of accomplishment, appearance of responsiveness to others, and a happier girlfriend.
Amusing proximity of comments! I guess if you make fun of yourself, you deny others the opportunity... ;)
That was a great read until I realized he was mentioning the To-Do List software way to much... great way to let people buy your software :).
+ I give credit to those who code and create (valid) content. One is hard enough. ;)
#9 is perhaps the best tip (start thinking about your most important task before you goto sleep). Particularly in combination with #3 (do a specific task first thing when you wake up and start at the computer). I find that 'working momentum' is highest beginning as soon as the computer turns on in the morning. For this reason, each day I will typically schedule 3 hours of focus on one specific task/project/vision; be…
When a list is on my desk, I don't even have to think about what I want to work on. It's just right there and it's easy to get to it. Checking things off is also a great feeling. Thus far, I haven't felt the need to subdivide tasks (tip#1) since the biggest obstacle for me isn't confusion. It's just a matter of the inertia of getting started. Once I'm actually sketching something or doing HW, it's very easy to lose track of time and find that I've worked for an hour or two and it's done.
"Although Swift To-Do List is awesome ;-), good old physical paper has an intricate quality that no software can offer: It exists outside of your computer. When I have 1-3 super-important tasks, I often write them down on an actual physical paper, and put the paper in front of me." Do you really think software cannot replace pen & paper completely? Shouldn't that be the goal of any task management software? Why not b…
There is nothing like coming to your desk, and seeing the paper before turning your computer on.
But Swift To-Do List can help you focus, sure. For example, it has inbuilt time-tracker: You can start time tracking for any task - a small window (always on top by default) will appear, counting the time spent on your task.
Having your subconscious solve the hard puzzles for you is great at the time... but I wonder whether that has a flow on effect to insomnia. You want your brain to be thinking, working, but sleeping is supposed to be rest time...
Perhaps there are short term vs long term trade offs.
I've been experimenting with caffeine. So far I'm getting some surprising results. Amongst hackers the common view is that it makes you faster or even a little bit smarter or more productive. What I've found though is that it actually makes you more impatient. Being impatient and wired to a high level of alertness may mean that you pump out a lot of code ... but what is the quality of it?
Really good code requires really deep thinking, and caffeine driven impatience is counter-productive.
Also, it makes it harder to get to sleep...