Productivity tips

  • Work in blocks. I like 50/10 blocks per hour (50 minutes of work, 10 minutes break time).
  • Develop a schedule and stick with it. 
  • Be consistent. Remember that consistency builds habits, and habits help with motivation. Willpower burns out. Being consistent creates the habit, and habits are how you will get the job done. 
  • Limit distractions, and be consistent and dedicated to this boundary. When I work, my phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, face down. 
  • Listen to lyrics-free music while working. 
  • It’s worth investing in a commercial-free membership to a music service (I like Apple Music and YouTube Premium). 
  • Have a dedicated writing area/work space. I’ve used my kitchen table for this when I had a smaller place without a dedicated office. After using the kitchen table for meals, I’d set up my work area and get things done.
  • Move around, stand up, stretch, do some squats, etc. especially when stuck, and/ or when brain fog sets in. Getting some blood flow to your brain and limbs will help clear the fog.
  • Not every day is going to be ideal. Sometimes, the best productivity hack is to take a day off. I’ll say it again – sometimes, the best productivity hack is to take a day off.
  • Take an hour off before bed to let the brain stop running like a hamster on a wheel. I can’t sleep if I try to go to bed right after I finish working, and I certainly don’t do any work in bed. 
  • Remember what each area of your home is for, and use that area for the intended purpose. However, as I mentioned earlier if your space is limited, then one area can be a multi-use area. Just be very clear and specific about what gets done in that area and stick with it.
  • Don’t EVER compare your ‘success’ to someone else’s success. Don’t compare likes, comments, number of followers, finances, home, car, clothing, looks, education, credentials, publications, number of clients etc. Their success is theirs. Your success is YOURS. Don’t compete with anyone. Do it because it’s your purpose.
  • Stick with one thing at a time. It’s likely that working on your project will generate more ideas. They can be a blessing, but also a distraction. Stay focused on one thing at a time. 
  • Ideas won’t manifest until action meets intention. Get started, dedication your time and focus on working on your goal during the allotted time, and stick with that one thing for now. 
  • Snacks and ready to eat foods will save time and limit distractions. 
  • If you partake in caffeine, drink lots of water. Caffeine is a diuretic. Stay hydrated to counteract that.
  • Practice personal hygiene. Yes, it needs to be said.
  • Practice breathing exercises. Pranayama and/or box breathing (tutorials for both are shared below in the resource section).
  • Unclench your buttcheeks and unclench your jaw. Let your tongue rest on the roof of your mouth naturally without forcing it.
  • Practice mantras. “I got this” “I am safe” “I can, I will, I AM doing this!” 
  • Take breaks, commit to your schedule, work in blocks, adapt to change, and keep at it.
  • Always remember – done is better than perfect.

Resources

Music

Lofi Girl’s 24/7 livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4VbdwhkE10
The Funkyverse: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunkyverse24
Gaming Ambience: https://www.youtube.com/@GamingAmbience
Stray Game Original Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVDfcJiV5p8P_g80fT8LanjaqwzbxBIq
The Assassination of Gianni Versace full score: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mgTBr03EoKTgiogOwmsrvqA9jSkLc7gLc&si=uFRC9QxX7yexaHX0
The Dark Knight Complete Score: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLim3m5NnkYFcopKx6tXrl8k5ELBO-kt4X&si=d42YQiX-0BSct6MK

These next two are energizing music; still distraction-free instrumental but the energy is kicked up:

Nightmare Owl: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZdVirxtKdtDDywL0DINGw
White Bat Audio: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudio

Breath work:
Pranayama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blbv5UTBCGg
Box breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF_1ZiFta-E 

Guides:
Tips for developing mantras and affirmations can be found in my guide titled Exercises for developing a LEGENDARY mindset: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JmTA5heX-wKXS6otjC3LVzL9vGkBUl7ZH8C7uJLKArs/edit?tab=t.0
Personal Inventory: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12AZlSNEBwXiNvQx8TogT4ljFyGkA5eGP4vLF3H59yr4/edit?tab=t.0 

Books

For the books listed below – borrow from a library, Libby, or buy from Bookshop.org because they support independent bookstores ♥

Habits:
Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Make The Connection by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey

Mindset:
Man’s Search For Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Daring Greatly by Dr. Brené Brown
Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine (his podcast is also quite good)
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck
The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
The Charge by Brendon Burchard
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
The Power of Broke by Daymond John
Braving the Wilderness by Dr. Brené Brown
You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill



Thinking creatively/finding inspiration:
Start With Why by Simon Sinek (also check out his empowering TED Talk “How great leaders inspire action” – there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular TED talks of all time)
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (also I HIGHLY recommend her TED Talk “Success, failure, and the drive to keep creating”)
On Writing by Stephen King
Three Feet From Gold by Greg S. Reid and Sharon Lechter
Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferris
Rise and Grind by Daymond John

Please listen to the audio versions of these two books:

More Myself by Alicia Keys
Songteller by Dolly Parton 

There are a lot of business books listed up there, but if you read them and give them a shot, you’ll find that there’s some great life advice in there as well. And again, take what you need, and leave the rest. I’m also particularly disinclined to listen to advice from rich people, but again, I take what serves me and leave the rest.