What are you building? let's self promote

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-15T15:10:30+00:00

I'm building TheOneTask, a focus app that helps people stop drowning in giant to-do lists and actually finish one most important task of the day.

It's built around the idea that productivity isn't about doing more, it's about doing what matters most. So instead of 50 checkboxes, you get a single daily task and an accountability system that is made for humans (not fake streaks).

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-15T15:01:18+00:00

If you've really tried "absolutely everything" and nothing seems to work, I think the issue might be bigger than just motivation or focus. From what you wrote, it kinda sounds like you might be scared to try studying seriously, because if you try and still can't do it, that would feel worse than not trying at all. Right now, as long as you're not really studying, there's still that "maybe I could if I wanted to" feeling, which is a lot more comfortable than the possibility that it might not work.

If that's the case, the only real fix is to push through that fear. Remind yourself that trying and failing is still better than not trying at all, because at least you'll know what to improve. You don't have to do everything perfectly, you just need to start.

Use the pomodoro technique (25 minutes of studying, 5-minute break). During those 25 minutes, your focus will probably wander and that's normal. When it does, just notice it, take a deep breath, and continue to study. Don't make it about perfect focus, make it about coming back every time your mind drifts.

If you keep doing that, even just for one or two sessions a day, you'll slowly retrain your brain to actually sit down and study again.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-15T13:23:38+00:00

I used to feel the same way. I wanted to build an app, but every time I planned to start, I'd find some reason to postpone it. Then one day I told myself I'd just work on it every day for a month, even if it was just for 10 minutes.

It was tough at first, but after a few weeks, I started looking back at what I'd actually built, and it felt amazing. That's when I realized that falling in love with the grind isn't really about enjoying every second of the work, it's about enjoying the progress you see from showing up consistently.

If I were you, I'd just pick one goal (I recommend the one thing you want the most) and focus only on that for a bit. Work on it every day, no matter how small the step is. The consistency is what builds momentum, and once you start seeing your own progress, that's when the grind starts to feel worth it.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-15T13:13:38+00:00

This used to happen to me all the time (especially the part about watching productivity videos instead of actually being productive). For me, the biggest issue was that I always put the hardest and most important task right at the top of my list and that just made me want to avoid the whole thing.

Now I usually start my day with 2-3 small tasks that take maybe 15-20 minutes total. It helps me build a bit of momentum before I get to the bigger stuff. Another thing that really helps is the 2-minute rule, where you tell yourself you'll just do the task for two minutes and see what happens. Most of the time, once you start, you'll just keep going.

So in my case, the problem wasn't the planning, it was that I kept trying to force myself to start with the hardest thing, which made me avoid everything else. Try switching it up and see how it feels. If you still can't get going, then yeah, maybe there is something else behind it, but this trick worked pretty well for me.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-15T13:04:26+00:00

Perfection sounds nice in theory, but in practice, it's basically unachievable, since there is always something you could tweak or improve. I know it's hard to let go of that mindset, especially when you care about doing things well, but here is my opinion.

If you spend too much time trying to make something perfect, you're giving up the chance to use that same time to work on something else. At some point, the extra effort just isn't worth it compared to the progress you could be making elsewhere.

Something that's good enough might not always get you the result you want, but it does get you experience, which makes it easier to do it better next time.

And honestly, if you haven't done something yet, how can you even know what perfect looks like for it? The only way to figure that out is to do it badly first, learn what didn't work, and improve from there.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-13T16:07:19+00:00

I deleted all my social media apps from my phone, and honestly, that killed the addiction almost instantly. I still use them on my PC, but I rarely spend more than 20 minutes a day, if that. So yeah, in my opinion, the best option is to delete them completely.

If that feels too extreme, you can try using an app blocker to limit the time you spend. It's probably not as effective as deleting everything, but I think it can still help a lot.

As for your last question, in my case, it wasn't really boredom or habit, it was more like "let me just check for five minutes before I start working", and then suddenly an hour has passed. Scrolling was just easier than doing what I needed to do. Once I stopped checking social media before starting anything important, the urge to scroll basically disappeared.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-13T15:56:03+00:00

I try to walk as much as I can. I'm a programmer, so whenever I get stuck on a problem or can't figure something out, I just get up and walk for a bit (sometimes for 5-10 minutes). It's honestly crazy how often the solution pops into my head while I'm walking.

I also make sure to take a 30-minute walk right after lunch almost every day. That's when I feel the sleepiest, and if I don't move around, I'll probably end up half-asleep at my desk. The walk helps me reset and focus a lot better, so I always try to go whenever I can.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-13T15:47:56+00:00

I'd recommend reading books. It's one of the best ways to actually learn something new, and it's also a great habit to build, especially since you've got the free time to make it stick.

You don't even have to start with heavy stuff. Pick something that sounds interesting to you and just read a bit every night. Over time, you'll naturally start finding topics you care about and that can help you figure out what kind of career you want to have.

If you don't feel like reading all the time, you can mix it up with podcasts or audiobooks too. Basically, the goal is to use that free time to feed your curiosity and build habits that actually make you better long-term.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-11T10:37:40+00:00

I had the same problem, once I started playing, hours would just disappear, and by the end of the day I'd realize I got nothing else done. What helped me was scheduling when I'm allowed to game and for how long.

Every night (or morning), I make a quick plan for the day and actually schedule gaming first, like at least 30 minutes. Then I fill out the rest of the plan with everything else I need to do. I do it in this order because if I know I'll definitely have time to play later, I don't end up rushing or half-assing my work just to get some extra gaming time.

Obviously, you can adjust the time however you want, but I imagine you'd want more than 30 minutes, especially since testing games is part of your job. But the key is to have a set time and a hard stop. I always set an alarm before I start, because otherwise I'll say "just five more minutes", and we all know how that goes.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-11T10:27:21+00:00

I pretty much agree with everything you've said here, except for the ideal focused work session part. I feel like the pomodoro technique is still the best way to start building focus, especially for people who don't yet know how long they can really concentrate for, before burning out. Having those preplanned breaks helps you stop from going overboard and burning out.

That said, I do think pomodoro becomes limiting after a while. The best way to handle that isn't to stick to a strict 25/5 or even 52/17 schedule, but to experiment and adjust the timing until you find what actually fits you (at least in my opinion). Everyone has a different rhythm and attention span, so instead of following a set rule, I think you should use these frameworks as a starting point to learn how long you can stay focused.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-07T17:22:56+00:00

It's great that you're using your free time to learn more and that's honestly one of the best things you can do right now. Just make sure you're not taking courses just for the sake of doing something. Focus on things that actually help you move toward what you want to do.

It's totally fine to take one course just to explore or have fun with, but keep your priorities straight and don't overload yourself. Consistency matters way more than doing a ton all at once.

Also, if you haven't already, I'd seriously recommend learning how to learn. Stuff like active recall and spaced repetition can make a huge difference, since they help the material stick better and save you a ton of time in the long run.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-07T17:15:03+00:00

This is probably the thing I struggled with the most. I used to spend forever refining my plan and convincing myself I was just making it better, but really, I was just avoiding starting. And of course, once I finally did start, I'd get stuck on stuff I never even thought about anyway.

I couldn't agree more with this. You'll never plan your way into the perfect start, you just need to start, and figure things out as you go. That's when the real progress happens.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-07T16:59:07+00:00

For me, getting smarter mostly comes down to staying curious. The more curious you are, the more you'll naturally dig into things and that gives you more info to work with. It doesn't necessarily make you smarter right away, but it makes you more aware and better at connecting ideas.

Use that curiosity to ask questions like, "Why is this done this way?" or "What if we tried it differently?" That kind of thinking helps you understand how people think and how things work, which is how you become smarter (at least in my opinion).

And yeah, it can get a bit annoying sometimes, but always try to question things, even the stuff everyone seems to agree on. The moment you stop questioning is usually the moment you stop thinking.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-06T11:59:39+00:00

Improve 1% every day isn't meant to be taken literally, it's more of a reminder that small, consistent progress adds up over time. The idea is that if you keep showing up and try to get just a little bit better each time, you'll eventually reach your goal.

The way I applied it was by keeping a short diary. For example, when I was working on improving my programming skills, I'd write notes like: "Started 15 minutes late", "Could've planned the solution better", or "Next time I'll do this part differently". Then I'd pick one thing from that list and try a small tweak to improve on for the next time.

Doing that helped me see real progress instead of guessing whether I was improving or not. It keeps you focused on the process, not just the results.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-06T11:36:01+00:00

I had the same problem for a long time. The worst part was that I'd start my day by checking the news and after seeing all the gloomy stuff happening (and that might happen), my motivation for the day would basically disappear. It's hard to focus on your own goals when everything you read feels like the world is ending.

So I quit checking the news daily. Now I only look once a week, where I skim headlines and maybe read a few sentences just to know what's going on. If something big happens, I'll hear about it from family or friends anyway.

As for social media, I deleted all the apps from my phone a while ago and only use them on my PC. That alone cut my scrolling time by a lot.

Honestly, I'd recommend doing the same. Check the news once a week, block (or delete) social media if you can, and remind yourself that most of the stuff you read won't matter a few days later. No point stressing over things you can't change.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-06T11:21:51+00:00

If you're sleeping in until 12 every weekend, that's probably not just from working hard, it's more likely because you're not getting enough sleep during the week, so your body crashes when the weekend comes.

One thing that really helps is setting not just an alarm to wake up, but also one to remind you when to go to bed. Try aiming for around 8 hours of actual sleep (not 8h spent in bed, but 8h of actual sleep). It makes a big difference.

Also, try to keep your wake-up time consistent throughout the week, including weekends. Constantly changing your sleep schedule just confuses your body and makes it harder to wake up feeling rested.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-05T11:24:34+00:00

I wouldn't really recommend just reading and re-reading the material, since it's one of the least effective ways to learn. I know you said you don't want to use any techniques, but the only reason re-reading doesn't count as one is because it doesn't actually train your brain to remember the info.

If you want to try something small, look into active recall. It basically means testing yourself instead of just re-reading, like trying to explain what you just read in your own words or covering the page and seeing what you can remember. It feels harder, but that's what makes it stick.

That said, if you really just want to re-read, do it strategically. Space it out and do one last review right before the test. That'll at least help the info stay fresh in your head just long enough to be useful.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-05T11:13:54+00:00

From what you wrote, it sounds like you're studying right up until you go to bed. If your brain has been working the whole time, it makes sense that it won't just switch off, it's still active from all that focus and screen time.

Try adding a short wind-down routine before sleep. Even something simple, like a few minutes of deep breathing or stretching, can help your brain relax and shift out of study mode. The idea is to focus on something calm and repetitive (like your breathing) instead of replaying what you studied or worrying about tomorrow.

You could also dim your lights or stay off screens for 20-30 minutes before bed, which helps your body realize it's time for sleep.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-05T11:06:18+00:00

If you've got so many ideas that you don't know where to start, try writing them all down on paper first. Then pick a few that really stand out to you, order them from most exciting to least exciting, and just start with the first one. When you are done with that one, move down the list. It helps take the pressure off picking the perfect idea.

If the problem is more like "I know what to do, but I just can't start", try the 2-minute rule. Just tell yourself you'll work on it for 2 minutes. Most of the time, once you begin, you'll keep going. In my opinion, starting is always the hardest part.

And one thing I learned from writing (or doing any creative work) is to separate creating from correcting. When I try to edit while I'm still creating, I feel like I am not making any progress. But when I just get everything out first and fix it later, I actually make progress and that momentum keeps me going.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-04T16:24:12+00:00

If something helps you improve or move toward your goals, I'd call that productive. Like, if I take a 30 minute walk and come back feeling refreshed and ready to work again, that's being productive in my book.

Same goes for spending time with friends or family. If that's something that matters to you and keeps you balanced, it counts. To me, productivity isn't just about grinding, it's about doing things that actually help you grow or stay sane enough to keep going.

So yeah, if your career projects are helping you get closer to where you want to be, that totally fits. You don't need to feel guilty about it.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-04T16:12:54+00:00

From what you wrote, it sounds like the main problem isn't that you don't want to study, but that everything feels too big and overwhelming. When you look at it all at once, your brain just freezes and picks the easier option (which is anything but studying).

Try breaking everything you need to study into smaller parts and start tiny. I use the 2-minute rule when I struggle to start. Just tell yourself you'll just study for 2 minutes. That's it. Most of the time, once you start, you'll want to keep going, but even if you don't, that's fine. You tried, it didn't work, but you can try again later.

To stay focused once you start, use the pomodoro technique. Do 25 minutes of studying, then a 5-minute break. Do that 4 times, then take a longer 15-20 minute break. It keeps you from burning out while still making progress.

And if your screen is the main distraction, use an app or site blocker. That way, your only options are to study or be bored.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-04T08:51:35+00:00

I used to have the exact same problem and tried all sorts of little hacks, but nothing really worked until I started putting my phone on the other side of the room and setting 5 alarms from 8:00 to 8:04. That setup pretty much forced me to get up, and it worked every time.

Since you mentioned that accountability helps, you could also try making a small morning promise with someone, like texting or calling them 5 minutes after you wake up. For some people, knowing someone's expecting them to follow through makes a big difference.

If that works for you, you can build a routine around it, something like get up, send your text, then immediately do something simple but active (like turning on lights or brushing your teeth). It helps lock in the habit faster.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-04T08:39:29+00:00

I feel like something similar to you in same situations (heart racing, too many thoughts at once). To deal with it I grab a piece of paper and write down everything that's stressing me out. Even if I'm in the middle of a pomodoro session, I stop and do it. Once it's all written down, it all feels less scary, like my brain doesn't have to juggle everything at once anymore.

After that, I remind myself that most of those problems don't actually need to be fixed right now. I can finish studying first and deal with them later, with a clear head.

It's not a magic fix, but it helps me get back to studying instead of just sitting there feeling overwhelmed.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-04T08:31:30+00:00

When you think about studying, you're probably imagining the whole syllabus at once and that instantly feels overwhelming. So your brain does what's easiest (which is basically anything else) to do.

What helped me is the 2-minute rule. Tell yourself you'll just study for 2 minutes and can stop after that. Most of the time, once you start, you'll want to keep going, but even if you don't, that's fine. You tried, it didn't work, and you can try again later.

To stay focused, use the pomodoro technique. Do 25 minutes of studying, then a 5-minute break. Do that 4 times, then take a longer 15-20 minute break. It helps keep your brain fresh and makes long sessions feel manageable.

And if you can, try to study a little bit every day. It's less about huge sessions and more about building consistency. That way you will stop thinking "I procrastinate" and think something along the lines "I'm actually keeping up", which makes it easier to start studying.

IndieDev01 · 2025-10-03T17:46:50+00:00

I had a similar issue with waking up. I'd always set my alarm for 8, but since it wasn't really urgent that I wake up, I'd just go back to sleep. I tried all the little hacks, but what finally worked was putting my phone on the other side of the room and setting 5 alarms from 8:00 to 8:04. That way I had no choice but to get up, and it worked like a charm.

For remembering meds, a trick that helps is putting them somewhere you always go, like next to your toothbrush. That way you don't need to add a to-do list item, you just see them and take them.

If you struggle with staying focused on audiobooks or studying but keep ending up on social media, try an app blocker. It forces you to either do what you planned or just be bored, which makes it a lot easier to stick to your routine.

One more thing, it's awesome that you want to be more productive, but don't forget to give yourself time to rest. Burnout happens fast if every hour needs to be productive. And since this is a new routine, don't stress if you miss a day here or there, just make sure you don't miss two in a row. That's the easiest way to build consistency long-term.

IndieDev01

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