You don’t need 100 productivity hacks. You just need these 6 principles. 1. Do less. The most productive people don’t do more things. They do fewer things and do them better. • Limit your daily to-do list to 5 • Pick 1 “MIT” (Most Important Task) • Make “no” your default answer 2. Protect your golden hours. Everyone has a window of peak energy. For most, it’s morning. For some, it’s late at night. During this time: • No meetings • No email • No distractions Just deep work. 3. Systematize the small stuff. Don’t waste brainpower on trivial decisions. • If it takes <2 min, do it now • Batch emails & errands • Stop multitasking (it doesn’t work) Even Obama wore the same suits to save energy for bigger choices. 4. Track your progress. The biggest motivator isn’t money or praise… it’s momentum. At the end of each day, write down 3 ways you made progress. At the end of each week, review what worked + what didn’t. Progress fuels consistency. 5. Take strategic breaks**.** Top performers don’t grind nonstop, they recover. • Work in 90 min cycles • Move, don’t scroll • Get outside if you can • Social breaks > solo breaks Breaks aren’t laziness. They’re fuel. 6. Consistency beats intensity. Big heroic bursts don’t last. Small, steady habits compound over time. Every day you show up, you’re casting a vote for the kind of person you want to become. That’s the cheat sheet. But if you want the full breakdown with stories, science, and examples I just dropped the long-form video here: https://lnkd.in/eXumTJ7F
Administrative Tips For Productivity
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You are not a machine. You can’t keep serving deadlines, clients, and family if you’re running on fumes. Burnout doesn’t always come from doing too much. It comes from doing everything except taking care of yourself. High performance is unsustainable without personal maintenance Here’s what it actually looks like to rebuild your baseline: 1. Stop glorifying exhaustion - Being busy isn’t the same as being valuable. If your self-worth depends on your output, you’ll never feel rested enough. 2. Audit your energy, not just your time - Meetings, messages, and even people can drain or recharge you. Track what leaves you depleted vs energized, and adjust accordingly. 3. Prioritize sleep like your career depends on it - Because it does. Nothing kills focus, creativity, and patience faster than chronic sleep debt. 4. Eat and hydrate like it’s non-negotiable - Skipping meals isn’t a productivity hack. Nourishment isn’t optional, it’s fuel. 5. Move your body, even if only for 10 minutes - A short walk resets your nervous system better than any productivity app. Movement is medicine. 6. Say no to preserve your yes - Every yes costs you something: time, energy, focus. Protect your bandwidth like it’s your most expensive asset. 7. Unplug without guilt - Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement. A brain that never shuts off eventually short-circuits. 8. Lower the bar on your off days - Self-care doesn’t have to be a spa day. Sometimes it’s just logging off early or drinking water before coffee. 9. Stop internalizing urgency - Not everything needs to be answered today. Slow is often smarter. 10. Build a self-care system, not a one-off - You don’t need a weekend getaway. You need a weekday routine that sustains you. Rituals beat resolutions. You can’t support others when you keep abandoning yourself Your ambition is admirable. Your work ethic is impressive. But your body, mind, and spirit have limits, and ignoring them doesn’t make you strong. The most radical act of productivity? Protecting your energy like it actually matters. Because it does. Every hour. Every day. Every decision. ♻️ Repost this to your network if you found it insightful! Follow for more such posts. Abhisake Dutta [I cover topics such as growth, leadership, the future of work, behavioral psychology, spiritual awakening, and personal development, Everyday.] #success #advice #tips #culture #health #career #skills #mentalhealth #burnout #wellness
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The urgent is stealing your focus from what's important. And it's making you less effective every day. You know the feeling: Your calendar is packed with back-to-back meetings. Your team constantly "needs a minute." Your inbox is far from zero. You're busy all day, but little seems to get accomplished. Here's the truth: Most effective leaders don't need to work harder. They need to work harder to protect their time. 17 rules to achieve more by doing less: 1. Reading Time (Bezos) Replace verbal updates with focused reading. Now everyone starts with the same context. 2. Do-Not List Write 3 projects you'll intentionally ignore this quarter. Saying no to good things protects time for great things. 3. 70% Rule (Branson) Delegate when someone can do it 70% as well as you. Perfect delegation prevents building effective leverage. 4. Decision Agents Create "if revenue drops X%, then do Y" rules. Pre-made decisions eliminate wasteful rework. 5. Strategic Incompetence (Mayer) Pick one non-critical skill to stop perfecting. Your weakness in one area creates strength in others. 6. Batch Processing Handle all messages in 2 daily blocks. Constant switching kills deep work. 7. Feedback Polls Replace status meetings with 3-question forms. Get updates without stealing focus time. 8. Office Hours (Zuckerberg) Set 2 fixed hours daily for "anyone needs me" time. Availability without constant interruption. 9. Monk Mode Block your calendar until noon for deep work. Protect your peak energy for your peak productivity. 10. No-Meeting Day (Armstrong) Make Wednesdays meeting-free company-wide. Give everyone coordinated, uninterrupted time. 11. If-Then Protocols Build team templates: "When X happens, do Y." Handle operational decisions without your input. 12. Debate or Decide Label every meeting agenda: "Discussion" or "Decision." Clarity prevents endless circular conversations. 13. 3-Email Rule After 3 replies, switch to a 5-minute call. Prevent the wasteful emotion created by cold email. 14. Single-Handling (Grove) OHIO: "Only Handle It Once" for small tasks. Touch it, finish it, move on. 15. Pre-Mortems Start projects with "Why might this fail?" Prevent problems instead of solving them. 16. Minimum Viable Change Run the smallest test on the smallest change. Learn fast, adjust quickly. 17. Speed Mentoring (Nooyi) Book 15-minute targeted coaching sessions. Focused help beats unfocused hours. Remember: Your job isn't to do everything. Your job is to ensure everything gets done. The urgent will always try to crowd out the important. These simple systems help you push back. Which rule will you try to start the new year? Share this to help other leaders get back to what moves the needle. Follow @Dave Kline for more insights on working systematically.
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Don't forget to close the tabs in your mind too Ever feel like your brain is bursting with a million open tabs? You're not alone. Just like a cluttered browser, our minds can become overloaded with thoughts, ideas, and to-dos, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. But just as we clear our digital workspace, we can also cultivate mental clarity and peace by "closing some tabs" inside our heads. Here's how to gently declutter your mind and treat yourself with kindness: 1. Hit "pause" and assess: Take a moment to observe your thoughts like passing clouds. Which ones bring stress or anxiety? These are your non-essential tabs. Acknowledge them, and gently let them go for now. Remember, you can always revisit them later if needed. 2. Externalize your mental load: Grab a journal or planner and list down everything swirling in your mind. Seeing it on paper can clear your head and help you prioritize what truly matters. (Bonus tip: do this daily!) 3. Time for some focus magic: Divide your day into "time blocks" dedicated to specific tasks. This helps you concentrate on one thing at a time, reducing distractions and boosting productivity. Say goodbye to multitasking chaos! 4. Be kind to your mind: Regularly practice mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing, or journaling. These help you stay present and cultivate self-compassion. Remember, closing mental tabs is okay! Treat yourself with the same understanding and support you'd offer a friend. 5. Don't forget to recharge: Schedule regular downtime to unwind and de-stress. Do things that bring you joy, like spending time in nature, pursuing a hobby, or connecting with loved ones. A rested mind is a focused and productive mind. By closing the mental tabs that drain your energy, you're not just being productive, you're investing in your well-being. So be kind to yourself, and give your mind the calm and clarity it deserves. #mentalhealth #wellbeing #focus #productivity #mindfulness #selfcare
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Another productivity mistake I used to make: 📌 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. And it took me a long time to unlearn this. Essentially, through extensive A/B testing and self-reflection, I discovered more sustainable ways to manage productivity. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱: ↪ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮 𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄: Just as showing up exceptionally for one day won't make a significant impact, not showing up for a day won't ruin everything. Productivity is more like a marathon than a sprint. It's about consistent effort over time, not sporadic bursts of activity. ↪ 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗯𝗯 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄: Energy and focus naturally ebb and flow. Understanding and respecting your body's rhythm is crucial. Some days you'll be a powerhouse; other days, it might be a struggle to get through your inbox. And that's okay. It's about the bigger picture. ↪ 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: It's better to have four highly productive hours than a dragged-out 12-hour day filled with inefficiencies. Focus on what you accomplish, not on how long you're working. ↪ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: This was a tough one for me to grasp. Rest isn't a reward for hard work; it's a prerequisite for it. Downtime isn't wasted time. It's when your body and mind rejuvenate, ensuring you're at your best when you're working. ↪𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Just as you evolve, so should your approach to productivity. Be open to experimenting, learning, and adapting. The strategies that serve you well today might need tweaking tomorrow. Stay curious and flexible. Repost ♻ if you found this helpful. 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬𝟰/𝟯𝟱𝟬. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗖𝗫𝗢𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗗𝗠 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻.
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If your meeting doesn't have an agenda, it's probably a waste of time. We've all been in meetings where no one really knows why they're there or what's about to happen. Always attach an agenda doc or at least a clear description when you schedule a meeting. Titles like "Project Sync" or "Team Catch-up" don't cut it. A good agenda gives everyone context, shows how to prepare, and ensures the meeting actually moves things forward. Highly unlikely, but if some or all participants review the agenda in advance, the meeting runs smoothly. They come ready with the right information, prepared to contribute instead of reacting on the spot. For you, as the organizer, writing down your questions, objectives, or discussion points also helps. It makes sure you don't forget anything important. Apart from the usuals, this also - Keeps the conversation on track - Pushes the meeting toward clear outcomes - Acts as a record of decisions and action items By the way, it also lets people decide if they really need to attend, or if they can just give input async. That alone saves a ton of wasted time. Most importantly, it shows that you respect everyone's time. You're not pulling people in "just because" you've thought it through and given them a reason to be there. By the way, if you are senior enough, you can even go berserk and be like - no agenda, no meeting. But yes, until then, start setting an agenda in your meeting invites.
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Ever felt overwhelmed by endless tasks with minimal results? In my corporate days, my to-do list was endless. Meetings, projects, emails—each day felt like a race against time. But despite my efforts, real progress seemed elusive. When I transitioned to solopreneurship, the struggle continued. I realized I needed a smarter way to manage my time and focus on what truly mattered. > That's when I decided to use the Pareto Principle. The 80/20 rule states that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. Applying this principle, I began to see dramatic improvements in my productivity and the quality of my results. Here’s how I did it: 1. Identify Key Tasks. - Focused on the top few tasks that drove big results. - Prioritized high-impact work over trivial tasks. - Sandwiched intense-hours with breaks. 2. Optimize Meetings. - Attended only essential meetings. - Kept them short & to the point. - Qualified discovery calls. 3. Nurture Key Relationships. - Invested time in relationships that mattered most. - Ignored connection requests with sales pitch. - Dedicated two hourly slots per week. 4. Continuous Learning. - Focused on acquiring critical skills I can't outsource. - Practiced them till I felt comfortable. - This reduced overall work time. 5. Health and Well-being. - Prioritized activities that boosted energy and focus. - Increased time with family and friends. - Picked up a hobby (an instrument.) -- The 80/20 rule is more than a productivity hack; it’s a mindset shift. By focusing on the few vital activities that drive the most results, you can achieve more by doing less. Have you used the 80/20 principle? Let me know your experience. 🤜🤛 PS: If you liked the carousel, share it with your network. ____________________________________ Future-proof Yourself. Start Today. 👋 Hello, I'm Shiv. Tap 🔔 on my profile to learn how to earn Authority as an Expert in your field, leverage it to grow, and monetize your expertise.
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Have you ever had a wake-up call that made you reassess everything? I remember driving my brand-new Mercedes Benz, dressed to impress and feeling on top of the world. But suddenly, I was hit with a wave of heart palpitations and an unbearable weight on my chest. I was under 30, outwardly successful, yet the stress and pressure were literally squeezing the life out of me. That was my wake-up call. I realized I needed to prioritize my well-being. I enlisted the help of a coach who guided me to incorporate wellness into my daily routine. Today, we need to talk about a game-changer in productivity that often gets overlooked: Integrating well-being into your daily workload. In the hustle of your everyday life, how often do you really stop to consider the role of well-being in your overall productivity?👀 It’s easy to brush aside self-care when deadlines are looming and your inbox is overflowing. However, prioritizing your health can have profound effects, not only on your work performance but on your overall happiness and satisfaction. This isn’t just about taking a break or the occasional spa day— It’s about making well-being a foundational part of your everyday work routine. I want to share seven key tactics to help you seamlessly integrate well-being with your daily workload: ✅ Prioritize Wellbeing as Non-Negotiable: Make self-care a scheduled part of your daily routine. Treat it with the same importance as any critical meeting. ✅ Build a Breathing Practice: Incorporate the 4-7-8 breathing technique into your daily routine at least twice a day to manage stress and improve focus. Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 7 seconds, and exhale through the mouth for 8 seconds. ✅ Stay Active with the Executive Workout: Maintain both physical health and mental acuity with a routine that fits your schedule. ✅ Embrace Gratefulness: Try the three blessings exercise. At the end of each workday, jot down three things you’re grateful for. This simple practice shifts your focus towards the positive, enhancing resilience against daily challenges. ✅ Eat Well, Feel Good: Consult a Nutritionist to tailor a meal plan that supports your executive lifestyle, ensuring you fuel your body for success. ✅ Stay Connected: Allocate time each week to strengthen relationships with family, friends, or business contacts. Think of it as an investment with an emotional and psychological ROI. ✅ Honor Your Boundaries: Learn the power of saying 'no' to tasks that don’t align with your priorities or well-being. Set clear boundaries for your time and energy, both in the office and at home. Let's keep it real: ↳ Integrating well-being into your daily grind is essential, and it starts with being self-aware. This isn't just about staying physically fit or getting through your to-do list. It's about keeping your mental health in check too. P.S. I'd love to hear a tip in the comments below on how you balance well-being with your workload!
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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟? 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞. During my stint as Group Medical Director with Dr Lal Path Labs, I was introduced to the concept of a pre-read. Anyone scheduled to speak should share the slide deck with relevant information as a pre-read with all the attendees. This allows for everyone to know the context in advance, giving time to review the details and build their point of view, allowing for a healthy discussion, rather than understanding the contents during the presentation. Taking into account this simple philosophy, here's how I suggest 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: Arriving 5 minutes before the start of the meeting allows the meeting to start on time and also time to address any tech glitches that could come up in making the presentation. 2. 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥: Consider sharing pre-read materials or literature related to the agenda which ensures that all participants have the chance to do their homework, and come prepared with thoughts, notes, & ideas, making the meeting more focused & effective. 3. 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞: Interactive meetings where all participants contribute makes for a healthier discussion. 𝐈 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 "𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬!" 4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: It's not about scribbling down every word like a court stenographer. It's about capturing the non-negotiables, action points, and responsibilities in the moment. Consider them as not just records; they're your treasure map to the 'Aha!' moments that will help you think better and collaborate effectively post the discussion. 5. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Meeting minutes aren't meant to gather dust in your inbox; they're strategic tools. Break down minutes into bite-sized, achievable steps to ensure that discussions lead to tangible results. 6. 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭: How often do we jump from one meeting to another in a day? It's crucial to pause and reflect. Take a few minutes after the meeting to ponder on the discussed topics. Immediate reflection eliminates confusion and clutter, providing clarity when circling back to the key points. How do you approach meetings to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency? I would love to hear and learn from your insights. #preread #productivemeetings #DrSanjayArora
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You don't have a procrastination problem. You have a mood problem: Ever noticed how your work suffers when your mood is like? When you feel anxious about doing a good job ↳ you delay starting When you're worried about results ↳ you find distractions When there's too much pressure ↳ you freeze up Or maybe you just plain "Don't feel like it". But think about those times when work felt effortless: - After a great night's rest - Following a great workout - When you're smashing through to-do lists This isn't a coincidence. Your mood impacts your productivity in a big way: A good mood makes you more likely to find flow. ↳ When you find flow, you enjoy the activity more ↳ When you enjoy the activity more, your work improves ↳ When your work improves, you improve your mood And the virtuous cycle continues. So instead of waiting for you mood to improve. Here's what you can do right now: 1. Unblock yourself Get thoughts out of your head through journaling or AI chat so you can start with a clear mind. 2. Get into your body Move physically through cycling or lifting to generate mood-boosting endorphins. 3. Set intentions Review your goals and tasks, ideally planned the previous day, to eliminate decision fatigue. 4. Prime for flow Create your ideal environment with tools like Brain FM, essential oils, and the right digital workspace. Pick a task slightly above your skill level to make focus effortless. Pro - Tip, if something's too hard, use your favourite AI to break it down. 5. Set a timer Work in focused bursts between 33 and 90 minutes, then take a genuine break. 6. Repeat Return to step 1 whenever you hit a wall, regardless of the time of day. Remember: The secret to beating procrastination isn't more willpower. Control your mood, and willpower becomes irrelevant. P.S - Have you ever found flow? Yes or No.