Tell HN: My recipe against procrastination
I had a history of heavy procrastination. A therapist suggested that this is panic due to the great number of tasks in my todo list. You look them all and panic &quot;They are so many&quot;.<p>My recipe:<p>1. Split your work into tasks. They may become hundreds, but don&#x27;t worry. Describe them on a paper, or in a todo app.<p>2. Pick ONE suitable task for the moment.<p>3. Write it down on a piece of paper and put it in front of the keyboard. Close the todo app or push out of sight all other papers!<p>4. Prepare your workstation - open the IDE&#x2F;text editor with the needed files open. Open the browser on the page you&#x27;ll be working on. (I&#x27;m a web dev)<p>5. Go for a short walk or sit down in a quiet place. Leave all communications behind. NO DISTRACTIONS!<p>6. Start staring at something relaxing - trees, birds, 24h nature channel<p>7. If there comes a thought about the chosen task - write it down on a piece of paper<p>8. IMPORTANT: If you start thinking about the other tasks push the thoughts aside - &quot;They are for later, they are written down. Now back to the current task.&quot;<p>9. After 10-15 minutes of relaxation return to your workstation. Look at the piece of paper and start working on the task.<p>10. When the chosen task is done go to 2.<p>After finishing a task reward yourself mentally and physically. When you are in your relaxation place say to yourself &quot;Task done - good job from me&quot;, and give yourself a treat - something you love - something sweet, cigarette or a Cuban cigar if a big project was finished.<p>The workstation and the place for relaxation must be two separate places - this creates different brain moods, and this is important.<p>I think that the quiet relaxation and pushing aside the thoughts about the other tasks are the key moments in my improvement. Now I can make up to 5-6 fruitful hours of work a day.<p>I hope that this will help to someone with the same problem.