41–50 of 80 posts
Most importantly, for me, is to avoid those websites even during my "breaks." If I need a quick break, I'll physically get up and away from my computer. Otherwise that "five minutes" usually ends up being closer to an hour or so.
Absolutely nothing compares with sleep. Having about a full week of 8 hour sleep days behind me is when I'm at my absolute peak productivity. I spent years being sleep deprived (~6 hours/day). When I finally came to appreciate just how important being well rested is it absolutely changed my life.
* Sleep ... 7.5 to 8 hrs, no more no less
* Wake up at 8/9 to maximize hours of sunlight
* Lift weights 4+ times per week... the four hrs you spend in the gym will be made up for with 10 hrs of productivity throughout the week
* Healthy diet (high protein, low carbs, low sugar, fresh food)
Computer:
* VIM
* Avoid HN
* Start working right when you get up
* Answer emails / do other menial tasks when tired
* Get rid of all notifications: phone silent/vibrate, no Gmail/fb/twitter notifications outside of the platform itself
Starting the day with a new TODO list. Not only does it give a clear plan for the day, it also keeps me from idling too long with distractions like reddit or HN. Whenever I'm done with a task and find myself chatting or browsing the web, I just refer to the todo list to get me back on track. It takes about 2 minutes and it's well worth it.
Absolutely nothing compares with sleep. Having about a full week of 8 hour sleep days behind me is when I'm at my absolute peak productivity. I spent years being sleep deprived (~6 hours/day). When I finally came to appreciate just how important being well rested is it absolutely changed my life.
Clicked in here to say exactly this. The only thing I would add might be obvious, that consistency is extremely important. Just getting enough actually isn't enough, consistent timing is essential. My second most significant is probably reading in place of momentary distractions. I'm applying nearly all my "free time" (what's left after the family, work, exercise and sleep that I consider essential) with an attack on…
I tried out the trick Jack Dorsey recommended during Startup School 2013: keep a two daily lists of things to do and things not to do. Read it when you wake up, throughout the day, and before you sleep. Here's what's on my list: Do: take a cold shower; meditate; throw yourself in; work on hard problems. Don't: be annoyed or upset; lie down unless to rest without computer. It's working for me pretty well so far. For m…
I don't mean to sound rude, but does "Don't: be annoyed or upset" really make a difference? I mean, who objectively and dispassionately decides to be annoyed or upset?
For example, when someone insults you in an offensive way. Why be annoyed? If it's true you should fix it; if it's false then he's mistaken. By remembering that, when I see that I'm about to become annoyed, my list reminds me to stay mellow.
- Not have young kids
- Sleep
- Make a todo list the night before, and give yourself an easy goal to start the day.
- Consider your brain to be a muscle, and treat it as such: nurture it, exercise it, let it rest. Let it rest can be things like spending time with friends, or doing whatever you want.
- Mindful meditation.
Absolutely nothing compares with sleep. Having about a full week of 8 hour sleep days behind me is when I'm at my absolute peak productivity. I spent years being sleep deprived (~6 hours/day). When I finally came to appreciate just how important being well rested is it absolutely changed my life.
Clicked in here to say exactly this. The only thing I would add might be obvious, that consistency is extremely important. Just getting enough actually isn't enough, consistent timing is essential. My second most significant is probably reading in place of momentary distractions. I'm applying nearly all my "free time" (what's left after the family, work, exercise and sleep that I consider essential) with an attack on…