I do something similar to the CD trick: I'll set a timer and tell myself I have to do focused work for that amount of time. I pause the timer for any interruption (including bathroom breaks).
I'll often just do an hour. At the end of the hour I can check Slack messages, look at Twitter, etc. I'll only do this once or twice a day. Otherwise, I just work "normally".
For me, it's less about hardcore grinding and more about making sure I'm holding myself to a reasonable standard. It's an hour - is that too much to ask?
I've found 3 big benefits:
1. Personally, I focus better with the timer. I don't know why. But I'm less distractible. I'm an order of magnitude more productive in that hour.
2. I'm the type of person that feels guilty when I'm not productive. I find that, because I've met a productivity goal (and have been genuinely productive), I don't feel that guilt. I'm both more productive and less burnt out.
3. You'd be shocked at how long it takes to get through that hour sometimes. That's probably the biggest benefit: it teaches you how you're managing your focus time. Everyone thinks they're good at time (and focus) management but nobody measures it.
I'll often just do an hour. At the end of the hour I can check Slack messages, look at Twitter, etc. I'll only do this once or twice a day. Otherwise, I just work "normally".
For me, it's less about hardcore grinding and more about making sure I'm holding myself to a reasonable standard. It's an hour - is that too much to ask?
I've found 3 big benefits: 1. Personally, I focus better with the timer. I don't know why. But I'm less distractible. I'm an order of magnitude more productive in that hour.
2. I'm the type of person that feels guilty when I'm not productive. I find that, because I've met a productivity goal (and have been genuinely productive), I don't feel that guilt. I'm both more productive and less burnt out.
3. You'd be shocked at how long it takes to get through that hour sometimes. That's probably the biggest benefit: it teaches you how you're managing your focus time. Everyone thinks they're good at time (and focus) management but nobody measures it.