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14.July.24

Working on (my definition of) slow productivity.

Working no more than six hours a day (because I know I can do more, but if I do, I’ll be garbage the next few days).

Adding buffer time to finish things (because estimates are not my strong suit).

Setting boundaries for deliverables (because I like work, but I want to be done with it too).

I feel like I’m accomplishing less than before. But I also feel more at peace. It’s more satisfying to have things go according to schedule.

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So much time just passes by like this. Even though you know it’s inefficient

Not being able to study because you're tired and not being able to sleep because you feel guilty you didn't study.

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14.June.24

Planning large projects is really hard. And without training, it’s a nightmare. How do we learn these things?

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30.May.24

Quite frustrated. I was burnt out, and needed to take breaks. I started doing that. But now, I realize just how little I’m getting done compared to before. I know this is healthier for me. But I feel like I’m facing my limits now. This is how much I can work, while staying healthy. And this is as much as I’ll ever achieve.

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25.May.24

Self care and procrastination coming way too close to each other.

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23.May.24

I am not an organized person by nature (at least in my surroundings. Maybe I exhaust all of that with my research…) But it occurred to me today, that I do feel stressed because doing things (like cooking) in a disorganized (but not untidy) space increases mental load. I’m wondering if there’s an optimal way to design my environment so that things feel easier. I do do home automation. But this is more about how I can use my environment to automate myself?

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How to Stop Procrastinating by Managing Your Emotions

Procrastination happens when we delay doing things, and it's often connected to our emotions. Feelings like being afraid to fail, feeling worried or stressed, getting bored, or lacking motivation can all contribute to procrastination. To stop procrastinating and get more things done, it's important to learn how to handle our emotions better.

Boredom:

Break the task into smaller, more engaging sub-tasks.

Find ways to make the task more interesting or challenging.

Set a timer and work on the task for a specific amount of time, followed by a short break doing something enjoyable.

Feeling Overwhelmed:

Prioritize tasks and focus on one thing at a time.

Break the task into smaller, more manageable steps.

Delegate some parts of the task if possible or seek help from others.

Use tools like to-do lists or task management apps to stay organized.

Anxiety:

Practice deep breathing or mindfulness techniques to calm yourself.

Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more positive and realistic ones.

Start with the easier or less intimidating aspects of the task to build momentum.

Set realistic expectations and remind yourself that it's okay to make mistakes.

Self-Doubt:

Focus on past accomplishments and successes to boost your confidence.

Seek support or feedback from others to gain reassurance.

Remind yourself of your skills and capabilities to tackle the task.

Use positive affirmations to counteract negative self-talk.

Perfectionism:

Embrace the concept of "good enough" rather than seeking perfection.

Set realistic and achievable goals for each task.

Recognize that mistakes and imperfections are part of the learning process and growth.

Indecisiveness:

Break decisions into smaller steps and make one small decision at a time.

Set a time limit for making decisions to avoid overthinking.

Trust your instincts and make the best decision you can with the information available.

Apathy or Lack of Interest:

Find aspects of the task that align with your values or long-term goals.

Break the task into smaller, more manageable parts and focus on completing one at a time.

Reward yourself for completing the task to make it more appealing.

Stress or Burnout:

Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, exercise, or spending time in nature.

Break tasks into smaller steps to reduce the feeling of overwhelm.

Prioritize self-care and take breaks to avoid burnout.

Feeling Uninspired or Creatively Blocked:

Engage in activities that stimulate creativity, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or seeking inspiration from others' work.

Start with a simple and basic version of the task to get the creative juices flowing.

Collaborate with others or seek feedback to gain new perspectives.

Fear of Success:

Identify and challenge the negative beliefs or fears that may be holding you back.

Visualize the positive outcomes of completing the task successfully.

Focus on the benefits and personal growth that come with success.

Impatience:

Break long-term goals into smaller milestones to track progress.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and patient throughout the process.

Remind yourself that progress takes time and effort.

Lack of Confidence:

Celebrate your past accomplishments to boost your confidence.

Seek support and encouragement from friends, family, or mentors.

Focus on building specific skills related to the task to increase confidence.

Avoiding Discomfort:

Acknowledge that discomfort is a natural part of growth and improvement.

Break tasks into smaller steps and tackle the more challenging aspects gradually.

Remind yourself of the long-term benefits of facing discomfort.

Overestimating Future Motivation:

Practice discipline and commit to starting tasks even when motivation is low.

Set specific deadlines for tasks to create a sense of urgency.

Establish a routine that includes regular work on the task to build consistency.

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20.May.24

Thinking hard about motivation and discipline.

We say that sometimes we must rely on discipline instead of motivation.

Sometimes, doing the activity feels better immediately – e.g. exercising, sometimes it takes longer, like dieting. But there is still somewhat of a known timescale.

However, I believe this sucks something out of you. You cannot do it for long without some kind of validation. Or reaffirmation of the motivation. Motivation is still important.

I like routines and discipline. But I think charging forward for too long without some deep, serious, reflection has made me bone tired. You need healing, and you need to take the introspection of why you do what you do very seriously. Your most important employee deserves it.

Happy new week :)

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13.May.24

Today I woke up to find a meeting had been rescheduled for half an hour from the time I woke up. So I rushed and got ready, and was so lethargic for the rest of the day. The meeting was two and a half hours long.

Picked up a friend who’s visiting, and had lunch.

Came home and slept for a bit and probably got half an hour of work done.

Not too happy with that, but I’ve been a little burnt out lately, need to fix that first.

A friend shared a quote today: “If you wake up late only the morning is ruined; if you wake up early the entire day is ruined “ 🙃

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They’re closing my favorite library for the summer and I’m honestly a bit lost

The bond between college students and their favorite corner of the library can be so personal sometimes

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11.May.24

Did not work today! Cleaned up a bit, cheered for a friend’s commencement and danced for a couple of hours with another friend. A lovely day.

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past two weeks i needed to help out by taking in my brother's kids almost full time. you can imagine that got in the way of studying haha i am NOT made to have kids

afterwards i took my mum on a tiny vacation where she relaxed and i spent most of my day in a canoe.

i decided we weren't going to do ANY cooking ourselves and instead found cafés and restaurants by the waterside, boogee style (but in like crocs though.) we only went back to the little chalet to watch detective movies and sleep

I'm back now and preparing for the rest of May by doing some admin, running errands and a little spring cleaning ✨ i will miss having my kayak right outside my front door but I'm excited to get back to work

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Listening to:

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Slowing down to heal…

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The art of pie

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6.May.2024

Paralyzed by relief