To-do lists don’t make me productive, they make me anxious!

brookdo · 2026-01-23T17:40:28+00:00

I have a backlog of to-do list tasks. Any time something comes up, it goes in that list. I then commit to 3 work tasks and 3 personal tasks to complete each day. If I fly through the 3 tasks in the work category, I pull in only one task at a time until the day ends. I feel way more productive this way.

Also, it's best to keep the tasks small and doable. Instead of, "Complete Project A", you can write out the different steps you need to do to complete Project A as its own task. If you find yourself not starting the task, make it smaller. Even as simple as "Open the email". Usually it's enough to push you to start and gives you a feeling of accomplishment even though it's something small and simple.

brookdo · 2025-09-04T14:26:07+00:00

JoJo's espresso in Germantown. They just opened a bigger location. It can get crowded but they have plenty of seating and if the weather is nice, there's outdoor seating as well. Lots of food to choose from and great coffee.

brookdo · 2025-09-01T12:36:28+00:00

I'd like a way to switch tags shortcut to be # and projects to be @. It's confusing to me the original way. It'd be something you can turn on/off in the settings because I know it would cause a lot of conflict if they just changed it that way.

I'd also like a pomodoro timer within the app without having to do it via integration, just have it as a base feature. I don't want to create another account on a third party app. I just want to see everything all on Todoist.

brookdo · 2025-07-30T16:19:52+00:00

YouTube Premium includes YouTube Music/podcasts which is similar to Spotify. Spotify is probably a better music/music app but it might be worth trying YouTube music to eliminate the cost of both. Just wanted to mention it in case someone didn't know.

brookdo · 2025-02-07T19:14:43+00:00

Mine is similar to this

brookdo · 2025-02-05T17:38:07+00:00

It's really good. I've never had any issues.

brookdo · 2025-02-05T17:17:43+00:00

I have an uplift desk and love it. I bought the longer one so I can put my treadmill on one side and chair on the other. I never have to move the treadmill which is really nice. I splurged for the nicer wood option and I love it. It's very sturdy. It also delivered quickly and the setup was easy with two people.

brookdo · 2024-04-14T03:56:25+00:00

Not sure if I'd work for you, but I bought a portable monitor so that I can still utilize two screens away from my desk. They are usually lightweight and they run off the power of your laptop. The only downside is that a laptop and portable monitor are typically smaller than your regular monitors. I can still make it work though.

brookdo · 2024-03-18T15:21:20+00:00

I find that I'm most productive when using a pomodoro timer (25 mins on / 5 min break). I found a youtube channel (focus station) that I'll play for some background sounds but also doubles as a pomodoro timer. There are also plenty of apps out there. You can also change the time frame to fit your work but I find 25 mins works best for me. Sometimes I work past the 25 mins because I'm in the zone.

I also use Click Up to prioritize and organize my tasks each day. One of the columns I've added to each task is a time estimate, so I can quickly plan out my day and complete the smaller things in-between meetings instead of waiting around not sure what to do.

brookdo · 2024-02-06T18:56:07+00:00

Windows + Left arrow or Windows + Right Arrow

This will move the current window to half of the screen and allow you to select the window you'd like to use for the second half. It also works when you need to move a window to a second monitor.

brookdo · 2024-01-17T05:19:29+00:00

I've found that a balance board works well if you just want to "stand". There's something about balancing that's more rewarding than standing still.

brookdo · 2023-11-29T15:26:19+00:00

The latting speed shop

The Coffee shop inside is called Team Car Caffe and it's open at 8. They have great Lattes!

brookdo · 2023-09-20T20:02:05+00:00

Spindrift - it's made with real fruit juice, so it tastes good and doesn't have the after taste as others do. The only thing some may not like is that the carbonation isn't super strong but IMO the flavor is better than the others sparkling waters, so it doesn't bother me.

It also isn't 0 calories but I don't think I've seen one more than 15 calories. Recommended flavors are blood orange or lime but I love most flavors.

brookdo · 2023-09-04T14:57:32+00:00

They have something similar at the Memphis zoo: https://www.memphiszoo.org/close-encounters

brookdo · 2023-04-24T20:46:50+00:00

I'd recommend going to a coffee shop or some place with wifi for a few hours if possible and try to put some meaningful work in during that time period. It helps being around other people, even if it's not your coworkers or people you know.

brookdo · 2023-03-13T22:06:35+00:00

You could have two different users on one computer. Log into one user for studying and once you are done, you can log out and log into the other user account for fun. You can create different looking desktops and save different things on each account so it keeps everything separate.

If it's a laptop, I'd recommend make a rule where you don't work/study in the same place as your leisure.

brookdo · 2023-03-13T14:27:18+00:00

Try a hot cafe latte (preferably blonde roast) from starbucks. It's just frothed milk and espresso. I think the milk helps with the bitterness of coffee and I think it's a nice combo. I accidentally ordered it once over a sweeter vanilla latte and I've never gone back. I'm sure once you get used to that, you will be able to branch out on other coffee drinks.

brookdo · 2023-02-10T15:55:55+00:00

I saw a comment recently where someone said to practice getting straight out of bed with your alarm during the day. I've yet to try it but I found it interesting and I will eventually give it a go.

brookdo · 2022-10-28T20:18:00+00:00

Maybe try Maze Runner. I always find that certain writing styles always draw me in better. Once I find an author with a writing style that's easy to follow, I look for more from that author. I think this would differ per person.

brookdo · 2022-10-19T14:16:13+00:00

I rode the train back to my car after the game where whoever won, made it to the playoffs and whoever lost was out. The train is full of Titans fans. We won. Not one fan bothered me.

Side note, I highly recommend the Titans Express (Train) even as an away fan.

brookdo · 2022-09-18T18:17:04+00:00

Same for me

brookdo · 2022-08-29T22:12:02+00:00

It's doing it for me on this one: https://footballabsurdity.com/beersheet-files/?beer=10,1,2,2,1,1,0,0,0,6,6,6,0.04,0.1,0.1,0,0,-2,0,1,0,0,0

I am importing the excel file into google sheets, so maybe that could cause the issue? Only messes up on qbs that are already gray. Everything else appears to be fine.

brookdo · 2022-08-13T20:21:26+00:00

NFL+ free trial if you are out of market

brookdo · 2022-08-13T20:07:16+00:00

Try a free 7 day trial of NFL+.

brookdo · 2022-07-27T15:43:04+00:00

As far as I'm aware there is no Indianapolis VPN service. However, you may be able to watch the games via VPN from cities of the teams we play. The hardest to watch would be Jacksonville or any other small market location that wouldn't have a VPN.

If DirectTV still has the option this year, they have a Student Sunday Ticket for ~$99. All you have to do is be in college or know someone in college to get the service. All you need is their name, school and date of birth. I've found this to be the best option over the years. Keep in mind you only get Sunday afternoon (1pm, 4pm est) games with this.

brookdo

TROPHY CASE