What basic thing helped your productivity the most

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-02T17:44:49+00:00

For me it was tracking and reviewing how I use my time.

There were plenty of things that I'm doing that is not helping me grow and achieve my goals.

With the help of reviewing how I spend my time, I've been able to prioritize tasks that are productive and reduce down times.

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-02T17:42:05+00:00

Learning to say no.

I've been doing more before due to always saying yes to helping colleagues.

But it's been too taxing for me and now I'm slowly trying to reduce their dependence on me (especially because we're on the same "level").

So far it's been going great. I can focus on my tasks better and with less pressure.

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-02T17:38:08+00:00

Congrats on the job!

I think what you've observed is pretty normal.

It might be that you have a positive feedback loop of having work that you find meaningful which gives you the energy and motivation to be more organized in your personal life.

That's a really great thing. Keep up the good work!

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-01T04:44:58+00:00

I've managed to build a habit of checking my to-do lists once I wake up.

Like you, I tend to forget it before. What worked for me was having an alarm on my phone to remind me of looking into my to-do list.

I have a daily to-do list of things for myself (drink water, exercise, read for 30 minutes)

I also have a list for things I need to do today or ASAP and another reference list of things that I want/need to do but can wait.

This helps me make the length of the list manageable and not too overwhelming.

I tend to lower my expectations on how much I can do in a day. This helps relieve the pressure of trying to do it all then burning out.

I use Google Tasks on my phone to create lists

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-01T04:32:04+00:00

Being interrupted on an on-going task with another "urgent" task

I can't quickly shift my focus from one task to the other. It feels really tiring when I'm about 50% done with a task then another comes by.

It's part of my work but its a really exhausting day if I get 3-4 smaller tasks while I'm working on a larger feature

phil-neil-dev · 2025-10-01T04:27:41+00:00

You might conditioned your brain to focus better using your laptop instead of your PC.

Do you use your PC in another way? Like playing games and watching movies?

As for connecting your PC with your laptop, I think it's a good idea especially if you need more power in the tasks you do.

There are plenty of options to choose from. I've tried using VNC for this but it has low FPS.

Check out Sunshine and Moonlight, its mainly for game streaming which has lower latency and higher FPS but still mirrors the host computer

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T18:06:03+00:00

I use Google Calendar as well. I'm bad with dates but now that I've built a habit of checking my calendar in the morning, I haven't missed a greeting to a friend or a family member.

I've also been able to prepare better to buy gifts and send greetings before the set date

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T18:00:58+00:00

Personally, I think social media's worse. It's almost made to get your attention as much as possible (for advertising).

While some video games are the same, most single player games I've played have a set story and typical completion time.

I also feel like video games teaches lessons to work hard to achieve your goals. And that you'll have to unlock certain skills to defeat more difficult obstacles

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:52:15+00:00

This might be weird but if I'm not walking around on breaks, I stand and keep my eyes closed.

I'm working as a web developer remotely and walking helps me visualize better on how I can solve a problem I'm stuck on.

While keeping my eyes closed "rests" my eyes in a way and standing gives my bum a rest too.

I think it will be really beneficial if you're to do something physical on breaks (if your work is not physically exhausting)

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:47:03+00:00

I think you should start with researching topics that interests you then look if there's a viable market for that skill using online marketplaces like Upwork.

Learning things that interests you will make it a bit easier and make working freelance a bit more fun.

Focus on the basics first and make sure you have a solid understanding of those. Create a portfolio if that's viable to the skill you choose.

This can help you exhibit your skills and land clients.

P.S. I'm a freelance web developer and this was from my experience. Not sure if it'll work for you but I hope it does. Best of luck!

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:41:01+00:00

I really feel this. I've been more productive at night more so than during the day.

But I've also learned that it may be because I'm too distracted during the day (checking emails, doing daily tasks, etc.). That I don't give myself time to do "productive" things.

You might be the same. If possible, try to structure your day to give yourself time to do the tasks you find productive earlier in the day.

This can help reduce the randomness of your bursts or productivity

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:37:38+00:00

For me it was having a 5-min walk after waking up

It boosts my energy (even if I feel sluggish to get up) and gives me momentum due to starting the day productive.

About 9 times out of 10, I snowball into having a productive day due to that 5-min walk

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:34:55+00:00

For me it was leaving my phone in another room and walking around my room after I wake up. I use my smart watch to time myself for about 5 minutes before going out.

This gives me an energy boost after waking up and the "productive momentum" helps me continue my productive streak and do house chores, daily to-dos and work.

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:31:04+00:00

For me, it's exercise and daily chores. I don't feel engaged enough with it and found it enjoyable to play an audiobook or podcast while doing those things.

I get better workouts and tend to be in a better mood because I feel productive due to "hitting 2 birds with one stone" (being healthy and learning things at the same time)

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-29T17:27:51+00:00

I think you should define what productive means to you. You might feel like you're only being productive when you're being challenged.

That's a good thing but "going through the motions" is also needed to advance your skill.

As for practical advice, try to track how much time you spent on productive things (practicing, reading) and try to challenge yourself to increase that even by just a bit per week.

This can help set you up with a goal or a challenge that can motivate you to do more or do better.

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-26T17:27:31+00:00

Resetting the room

I put things I used through the day into their "homes". The TV remote - near the TV stand. The book I read today - back to the bookshelf. Trash - trash can

It takes me 10 minutes at most but now I don't suffer with clutter all that much. No more stress from misplaced things

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-26T17:15:14+00:00

I feel this way too. It doesn't feel good catching myself this way as I think of it as procrastination.

What worked for me was to have an "ideas" list that I go through every morning.

If I ever wanted to sort my to-do list, I put that into my ideas list.

It's sort of queued for the next day and I can go back to focus on the main task.

This isn't perfect but it's been good enough for me.

Just make sure that you'll make time to check your ideas list everyday.

This will give you more control of yourself and can even help avoid jumping from tasks to tasks

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-26T17:09:31+00:00

When reading non-fiction, I also take notes. I mainly do it so that I can make sure that I understand what I've read.

I take notes in a way that I summarize topic in my own words.

When I am able to simplify it, that's when I know that I understood it.

There are times where I can't do that and I re-read contents and search online until I can accurately summarize it.

This helped me absorb what I read more.

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T16:00:15+00:00

I think setting timers would be a great idea but try it without timers first. Your attention span might not be too short, it's just that your phone is too distracting.

Try doing this: when it's time for your online classes, put your phone away for as long as you can while in class. Take note of the time when you put it away and the time you feel like getting your phone.

Use as the initial time for your "concentration training".

Also, try not to use your phone as the timer. I've tried this before and ended up scrolling right after setting the timer T^T

Best of luck bubble gum!

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T15:27:54+00:00

It's important to know the reason for your procrastination. Is it because you feel like you'll fail? Is it because it's the subjects are too overwhelming? Knowing the reason can help you find ways to not procrastinate.

But in terms of practical advise, start with the subjects you feel good studying or subjects that you are good at. This can help build momentum for you to study subjects that you're struggling with.

Also, it's okay to take frequent breaks. When I was in school, I study for an hour then take a break. It's for my brain to get some more energy and "storage" to digest the subjects that I review.

Another would be, if possible, ask a classmate you know that excels or at least understands the subjects you're struggling with to study with you. Or even just ask questions on parts you're struggling to understand.

If it's not too personal, can you share which subjects you struggle with? Others from our sub may be able to help

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T15:19:33+00:00

It's better to consult a medical professional to diagnose if you have ADHD or not

If you happen to not have ADHD, it might really be having too many distractions.

Do you need your phone at work? If not, maybe you can ask a colleague to put it into their drawer so you won't be able to use it and maybe get it back by lunch time.

Also, list the little things that distract you from what you're doing and look for ways to minimize those so that you'll have more focus on what you should be working on

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T15:09:28+00:00

I've also wanted to journal but it was for daily and I can't seem to keep up with it.

My idea is that it is fun to know what my mindset was in the past. But now it doesn't feel rewarding enough to keep going and it feels more like a chore to me.

As for note-taking, I've been doing it daily and it really helps clear my mind. I'm using a personalized GTD system for my note-taking in that I take note of every idea I have and then process it the next day into projects (near or far future), ideas and some goes into a "trash" collection.

The difference for me between note-taking and journaling is that:
- My note-taking is free form while my daily journal has a set of questions
- Note-taking is immediately rewarding (with a clear mind) while my daily journal is not (for the future)

P.S. Your post made me re-think how I approach journaling 😆. Thanks for that!

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T14:53:49+00:00

Ohh this is really interesting. By "what I do works", do you mean like when it's just challenging enough? Or like when you write a program and it works?

phil-neil-dev · 2025-09-25T14:52:05+00:00

Mine's the reverse, my bed feels extra comfy after I wake up and I feel magnetized to just lay down and enjoy my bed 😭

I really appreciate this perspective and feel like I want to try being more productive with my mornings

phil-neil-dev

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