I like to take this a step further, and I think I read it in a Brian Tracey book once. If I have a list of things that need doing that I am not especially excited about, I'll go through them doing five minutes max on each. This normally sufficiently unsticks each, but if it doesn't, then do a round of 10m on each.
> - Leave a currently solved code part partially done or leave a compile issue on the area you were working on
One way I handle this is by forcing myself to keep and update a "Next Work" list (in an outliner) that keeps a very current todo list for each project. Generally I'll update it each morning and break down the immediate next work into tasks that only take a minute or two to get that momentum going
> - Motivators and triggers
I'm only slightly ashamed to admit I make heavy use of:
This will not work for everyone as I do the same with airplane mode. I figure if it is that much of an emergency, a police officer will show to my door with terrible news.
I am in the privileged position that nobody needs to contact me in an emergency. Alternatively they can call my land line, or if they know who I'm with, ring her instead.
> - Use the 15 minute rule to get started
I like to take this a step further, and I think I read it in a Brian Tracey book once. If I have a list of things that need doing that I am not especially excited about, I'll go through them doing five minutes max on each. This normally sufficiently unsticks each, but if it doesn't, then do a round of 10m on each.
> - Leave a currently solved code part partially done or leave a compile issue on the area you were working on
One way I handle this is by forcing myself to keep and update a "Next Work" list (in an outliner) that keeps a very current todo list for each project. Generally I'll update it each morning and break down the immediate next work into tasks that only take a minute or two to get that momentum going
> - Motivators and triggers
I'm only slightly ashamed to admit I make heavy use of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6OwnNe9nMU (usually while walking, or very very first thing in the morning -- I downloaded the audio only)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjZ0KbJcav0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmkNKEHC8Pg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjP9r-HU4fk
and Apple's Think Different advert
I also really like writing out the answer to "What'll be different in a week's/month's time due to what you're about to do?"
> - Start the day right, work on something simple or one check in for instance before reddit/HN/news or distractions
Phone goes on airplane mode overnight, and comes out of airplane mode once I've completed my morning ritual, which takes about an hour and a half.