Productivity
Productivity is crucial to me, and I strive for it day in and day out in terms of both the quality and quantity of output I have. Picking up relevant tasks and getting them done is the utmost priority for me on some days, while on other days I prefer to do random things that I design for myself to work on.
One very important philosophy I’ve integrated quite recently is not starting a task until my head is clear. I write it down on paper, type it out, or doodle charts, maps anything to get it out. Only once it's out and I feel ready do I begin the work. And if distractions or thoughts hit me in the middle of a task, I keep my daily notebook nearby to jot them down and move on. Focusing feels like an art piece that I’ve been chasing for quite some time, and single-minded focus on one task has revealed itself as the simplest secret I’d always been ignoring. (Poetic justice. Sigh.)
One virtue I think has helped me a lot is keeping my mind open to all ideas and people around me. I do filter out what to entertain further after a point, but this habit has contributed a lot to the growth I’ve seen over my life.
I’ve tried out several ways of approaching tasks because the internet is full of them and I wasn’t satisfied or was failing too hard until recently. Now I’ve finally settled into a simple method that involves both digital and analog systems. I keep a list of weekly tasks some are repetitive, some new and I update this list regularly. Then, the night before, I prepare my list of tasks for the next day, which includes both fresh tasks and carryovers. After I wake up (since my wake-up time can shift a bit), I take 5 minutes in the morning to time-block my calendar. This gives me a better idea of what I need to do and helps me focus on the tasks due that day. It might sound like a lot, but it’s become a part of my life. The benefit I see is that it sets an intention at the start of the day and leads naturally to reflection at the end of the day.
Recently, I noticed I’ve picked up the habit of setting mini-deadlines and chunking long tasks. Sometimes, they’re external deadlines, but if a task doesn’t have one, I set one myself. This helps me maintain the needed pace, especially since I tend to get bored or lose interest in never-ending tasks. Once the task is set, I just do what’s needed maybe a bit more if required. This helps me stay on track without getting overwhelmed. I try not to obsess over the end result while working, and I analyze the outcome only after it’s done.
Active Lifestyle
Switching between standing and sitting has been a game changer for me I can work longer and feel better. Sometimes when I’m standing, I do a stationary walk or stand on an acupressure mat. I usually switch positions every hour. I also have an under desk bike that I use a few times a week.
Having short and long breaks throughout the day has done wonders for me I can’t explain it in words. I used to push through long stretches of work and end up exhausted or with mild headaches. Now my day is structured so that I work on a task for 1–2 hours and take breaks of varying duration say, 30 to 90 minutes. Generally, I work longer hours with fewer breaks at the start of the day, and increase break time as the day progresses. Knowing your energy levels across the day is very important.
I exercise a lot less now than I used to a year ago, but I still aim for 15–40 minutes daily. Going out for random walks either in morning or evening is my serotonin booster. My home office is 50% a small home gym. If I had to credit something that gives me energy in the middle of the day, it would be exercise. I follow three types of exercise routines: breathwork for 5 minutes with a 10-minute stretch at the start of the day, and a 7-minute workout in the middle of the day. Four days a week, I do strength training for about 15 minutes (lol), usually 1–2 core exercises chest press, deadlift, bicep curl, overhead press, or squats. Mostly during short breaks I’ll do either pull-ups, push-ups, or squats. It’s now so well integrated into my life that when I skip other exercise sessions I dont feel guilty because I already feel “pumped.”
The Basics
Sleep is the most important and most broken part of my life, I suppose. I’ve tried many different routines, and what works best for me is a single 8-hour sleep at night, waking up between 6–8 AM. But it’s not easy I sometimes fall asleep on time, and other times I wake up way too early (between 2–4 AM), which messes up my schedule and gives me headaches during the day. So, I’d say this part is still a work in progress. One thing I do is take magnesium supplements on alternate days before bed.
In terms of food, I mostly eat home-cooked, vegetarian meals. For snacks, I usually go with fruits and dry fruits. I make myself breakfast though I sometimes skip it which is usually eggs or oats. Coffee has become a very important part of my life in the last two years. I have it first thing in the morning usually black because I’m lazy, but I prefer a latte otherwise. Sometimes, I’ll have a cup of tea (green or oolong) in the middle of the day. Junk food, as far as I can keep count, is about twice a month.
My system is definitely evolving. I’m always trying to improve it. I’m noting all this down here as a snapshot for me to look back and see how I’ve changed over the years.
Extra resources to munch on ;)
https://www.zenprogrammer.org/en/10-rules-of-a-zen-programmer.html
https://blog.samaltman.com/productivity
https://abhimarichi.medium.com/indian-saints-way-to-focus-at-work-6b16a9ec75b5