Getting things done

Some quick thoughts on self-discipline and getting things done

It is day 3 of the blog! And while I do not intend to post every day, I am trying to be more consistent at writing, so I have decided I am going to write at least half an hour every weekday until it becomes a habit. I might not post on the same day, but at least I will have to think about what I am going to write and try to put something on paper on git.

Motivation is not predictable #

Today I did not feel like writing. After a full day of work, I just wanted to chill. Sit back on the couch. Play some games. Watch something on TV.

I know I will not always be motivated, and there will be ups and downs. Usually, I would just not write, but I am working on my self-discipline, and I know that to become a better writer, I will have to write, even when I don't feel like it.

That's how I got better at programming and became more consistent as a professional, there is no secret formula.

Get things done #

Overall, in 3 days I set up this blog online, wrote some dubious quality content and got things going. I wanted to do this for some time now, and I finally started. A lot of factors are involved in me starting this, but I want to highlight two resources that really helped me:

The Get Things Done Book #

The Get Things Done Book: 41 tools to start, stick with, and finish things, by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler, is a packed book with quick reading chapters each presenting a technique or concept to help with productivity. I have been trying some techniques, and here I am, writing about it.

The Atoms. app #

Atoms. The official Atomic Habits app, based on the Atomic Habits book by James Clear, aims to help build good habits and break bad ones.

I got to admit I have not read the book yet, just read about the concept of it, and now that I am using the app, it is definitely on my reading list.

The app guides you into creating some achievable habits, defining when to be reminded of them. Also, it delivers daily lessons based on the book which are great!

What I enjoyed the most is a detail of the user experience: instead of simply "clicking a button" to complete a habit, you have to hold it for a while, receiving some visual and haptic feedback. Once the interaction goes off, there is an animation and a quick tracking view. It feels way more rewarding than simply clicking or touching a button. Anyway, to get the full experience you should try it yourself!

Quick disclaimer: I am not sponsored or anything, I am sharing resources that I genuinely enjoy, and I am not one so easy to please.