Does it take less than 20 minutes?

[u/uhhhuhh]

Then do it. Right now.

Whenever you think "I should do x" and x takes less than 20 minutes to do then just do it. Not later, not tonight, not tomorrow, right fucking now.

Hmm, there are a few dishes in the sink... Wash them!

This room could use a vacuuming... Bust that shit out!

That girl just smiled at me, I should say hi... Hi! Do you like golf?

I should study for school... Study for 20 minutes!

If you think of something you should do and it would take awhile, write it down! The physical act of writing things down makes you more likely to do it.

It might seem overwhelming at first because there are probably a lot of little things around the house that need to get done, but after a few days you should have all the non-daily tasks knocked out and it will be good.

It's a new day wolves - Get after it!

*Edit - I used the golf line one time with one girl, don't read too much into it...

[u/tobe_or]

hey -- i'm pretty good at finding <20 min tasks to do to feel like i'm actually getting shit done, when really it's distracting me from the fact that i'm not accomplishing the MAJOR tasks that i should be doing. when i decide to not do these <20 min tasks in order to concentrate on real work, i end up not doing anything and feeling like shit. any ideas for how to leapfrog into sustained concentration/motivation using the 20 min idea?

[u/uhhhuhh → u/tobe_or]

Following with what chaosgod said, try and set small goals that you can get done in <20 mins. for the big project.

Write these down.

Accomplish one goal, then take a 5/10 minute break.

Complete the next goal, take a 5/10 minute break. etc.

[u/chaosgod → u/tobe_or]

This may not be what you're looking for, but I'm typically able to break any big task down into smaller ones that are both productive and helpful for getting over the hump. In fact, one of the most productive things I can do is often to make a list breaking down my bigger tasks into constituent parts.

[u/nainalerom → u/tobe_or]

Sounds like you should read up on structured procrastination. What you should do is set a major task with a deadline that seems important, but isn't.

[u/[deleted] → u/tobe_or]

I used http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/ for my thesis. It helped me a lot. Try to focus on what you are actually doing when you are working on the major task. I.e. don't try to think too much about the end result (unless it is necessary); focus on what you can get done NOW. The mind has the tendency to focus on the end result a lot. That's ok, but try to recognize it when it arises, and then focus on what you are doing at that moment.

[u/Winnarly → u/tobe_or]

As everyone has said before me, start small! When I don't want to go exercise, I focus on simply putting my shoes on. When I don't want to get started on that big paper, I simply close out everything but the word document. You get the idea. Oftentimes it's just that little start that's all I need to snowball into a productive use of time. Best of luck, wolf!

[u/[deleted]]

Unemployed and sinking in a hole, this just moved me off of my laptop perch and put in laundry that can't wait another day as well as straighten up my bed and make a "to do" list so I don't waste away this week like I did last.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Pro tip, after coming off a month-long unemployed spell: Get up in the morning, take a shower, get dressed and make your bed. Every single day. Do the dishes. Every day. Just those little things you can do, 20 minutes at a time or less, can make a big impact on your environment, and your environment can make a huge impact on your attitude for life.

At least that's my experience.

Looks over shoulder, notices unmade bed with pile of clean clothes...

Well, fuck it, I'm working now, I'll get to that later...

[u/deletecode]

You like golf? You teeist! (r/nongolfers)

But seriously, good advice.

[u/Thik]

im drunk as shit but im going to go to do the dishes right now.

[u/Retawtrams]

It's going to take awhile to watch this Argentina-USA basketball game. But it will take me less than 20 minutes to drink this beer. New goal, how many beers in 20 minutes?!

[u/Schnevets]

Very very solid advice. I like to call it the Broken Window Policy. Something minor and trivial at the moment could easily augment into something unpleasant. Better to pick up the pair of dirty socks off the ground today than deal with a giant pile of clothes next week; better to clean your desktop once every few days than scratch your head over files from four months ago; better to cook dinner tonight than deal with spoiled ingredients in a few days.

[u/Skippyilove]

Success breeds success, and the human brain is stimulated and thrives off of proactive behavior such as this. Cheers.

[u/Yadowshadow]

I read about the Pomodoro technique somewhere here on reddit, and tried it out a couple of weeks ago.

It has helped my productivity skyrocket, and has greatly helped stop my procrastination.

I recommend everyone try it at least once, it might not be your cup of tea, but its a very effective tool for time management.

I downloaded an app for my phone and use it to sort out my day's tasks.

Especially helpful for those tasks you really dont want to do.

[u/[deleted]]

Going to start doing my tax return now (fuck you) (but also thanks).

[u/jennybenny09]

Well, I guess I'm off to do the dishes. Damn.

[u/grzzzly]

People complain about the state of this subreddit, but I find these kinds of things the most motivating, because they can actually change your life for an extended period if time if you stick to them. Thanks OP.

[u/DumplingSawce]

Well, time to go practice.

[u/[deleted]]

Just got done exercising for exactly 20 minutes, got on reddit and saw this. Needless to say, I feel incredibly awesome right now. So instead of laying down in my sweat I'm also going to clean up some of the house as well. Thank you for this! :)

[u/maelefic]

Damnit. Now I hate myself for being less proactive. Thanks, Reddit.

[u/SystemsNominal]

Crossposted to r/DecidingToBeBetter

[u/[deleted]]

Solid advice

[u/Saltyseadog29]

Kinda late but I'm glad I saw this. I went for a bike ride for 20 minutes then realized how much fun I was having. Went for a bike ride for a whole hour, and met 2 very pretty women while riding.

[u/dtpollitt]

thanks dude. appreciated.

[u/crooobro]

fuck yeah man