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How I Overcame the Desert of Desertion

Anything related to matters of the mind

YoungPadawan

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I thought I would post something that I've felt to be useful in overcoming the desert of desertion.

So I've been developing a product for the past 4 or 5 months and many times I was filled with self doubt and I got discouraged by how long it was taking me to develop a seemingly simple product. What really helped me overcome my self doubt and distractions was the Pomodoro technique.

So basically, what you do is go to the website Tomato Timer and hit "Start."

For 25 minutes, concentrate solely on your task at hand. No Facebook browsing, no game playing, no screwing around. Only focus on your work for 25 minutes.

Every time you completed 25 minutes of concentrated work effort, put one mark down on a piece of paper that shows that you concentrated on work for 25 minutes. Like so:
concentrate.jpg

Btw, I highly recommend you get "My Fastlane Daily" to get your stuff organized. You can buy that here: One "To Do" List Guaranteed to Change Your Life! or INSIDERS also get it for free.

If you are using "My Fastlane Daily" for your daily to-do list, just save each days piece of paper with the checkmarks of daily concentrated effort. At the end of the week, add up how many checkmarks you have, figure out how many hours that is, and write it in a spreadsheet.

At the end of the month, add up all the hours and give yourself a pat on the back. You're ____ amount of hours closer to your Lambo!

This could be done with anything. Like if you want to learn to code, you could write down how many hours of concentrated effort it took. I personally subscribe to the '10,000 hour rule,' which says that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve complete mastery of something. If you know how many hours you've spent learning something, you'll know you're on the right track!

I also keep track of my hours "eliminating waste," like selling old inventory, cleaning up and organizing, creating standard operating procedures, and things like that. Things that help you do your main work easier and make your life in general easier.

I personally think that eliminating waste is just as important as doing your main work. You gotta stay lean and mean and super efficient. For more info about the philosophy of eliminating waste, check out "The Toyota Way." Eliminating waste is their go-to strategy for greatness.

Just some stuff I've found to be useful. Hope this helps!
 
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RazorCut

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I like the Pomodoro technique as it's a great way to stay focused. I do 45/15 as I find 25 mins a little short (I'd often be deep in the zone and the alarm would go off).

If anyone is using Windows try Focus 10 from the Microsoft Store (just type store in the search box). It's free and fully customisable.

_
 

Ronny

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I work in the tech field so I need to use my computer, which complicates the whole not getting distracted online thing. The Forest App has helped me stay focused. When I start it it's like a mental cue to stop putzing around and to do your work. Hope this helps!
 

Hadrian

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Wow this is Awesome dude! I'm gonna join as an INSIDERS asap and start using this right away! It's a bit like the Miracle Morning one but far more concise and better!

For productivity I use my own Binaural Beats on a 30 0r 60 minute session... Its my first fastlane venture called "Celtic Whispers" launching in Janaury I hope! I'll let you all know when its out! :)

Hmmm I've made a pretty kick a$$ one page Gratitude journal/daily diary... I wonder should I offer it to INSIDERS same as you did?

Kind Regards,

Adrian






I thought I would post something that I've felt to be useful in overcoming the desert of desertion.

So I've been developing a product for the past 4 or 5 months and many times I was filled with self doubt and I got discouraged by how long it was taking me to develop a seemingly simple product. What really helped me overcome my self doubt and distractions was the Pomodoro technique.

So basically, what you do is go to the website Tomato Timer and hit "Start."

For 25 minutes, concentrate solely on your task at hand. No Facebook browsing, no game playing, no screwing around. Only focus on your work for 25 minutes.

Every time you completed 25 minutes of concentrated work effort, put one mark down on a piece of paper that shows that you concentrated on work for 25 minutes. Like so:
View attachment 22671

Btw, I highly recommend you get "My Fastlane Daily" to get your stuff organized. You can buy that here: One "To Do" List Guaranteed to Change Your Life! or INSIDERS also get it for free.

If you are using "My Fastlane Daily" for your daily to-do list, just save each days piece of paper with the checkmarks of daily concentrated effort. At the end of the week, add up how many checkmarks you have, figure out how many hours that is, and write it in a spreadsheet.

At the end of the month, add up all the hours and give yourself a pat on the back. You're ____ amount of hours closer to your Lambo!

This could be done with anything. Like if you want to learn to code, you could write down how many hours of concentrated effort it took. I personally subscribe to the '10,000 hour rule,' which says that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve complete mastery of something. If you know how many hours you've spent learning something, you'll know you're on the right track!

I also keep track of my hours "eliminating waste," like selling old inventory, cleaning up and organizing, creating standard operating procedures, and things like that. Things that help you do your main work easier and make your life in general easier.

I personally think that eliminating waste is just as important as doing your main work. You gotta stay lean and mean and super efficient. For more info about the philosophy of eliminating waste, check out "The Toyota Way." Eliminating waste is their go-to strategy for greatness.

Just some stuff I've found to be useful. Hope this helps!
 
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Last edited:

andyhaus44

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Awesome post, @YoungPadawan!! Thank you for sharing this! Rep+

That is a great way to utilize the Notes section in My Fastlane Daily :)

This post inspired me to create a deep focus system so I can focus 100% where I normally get distracted, such as Forging process, Updating finances, etc.

First off, I use this Pomodoro -- https://pomodoro-tracker.com/ You can customize the type of list you have ( for me it's forging process, updating finances, etc) and it even tracks the stats for you. Plus you can export the records as CSV
(You no longer need to create/adjust your own spreadsheet to keep track ;) )

I then use Cold Turkey to temporarily block websites where I get distracted at -- https://getcoldturkey.com/

With Cold Turkey, you can schedule when you want to block distracting sites, plus you get a motivational message on the tab if you slip up. It also keeps records of your stats. Plus it's great how you can make your own block lists. I made my block lists Forging process, Updating finances, etc. because I get distracted with different sites for different lists that I have.

I used to action fake here on the forum instead of forging process, so I blocked the forum (for the Forging process list) and I used to get on eBay while updating my finances so I blocked eBay (for the Updating finances list)

In addition to the Pomodoro and Cold Turkey, I use the Forest app on my iPhone so I'm not able to waste time on my phone.

Then I use Note Anywhere for sticky notes -- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/note-anywhere/bohahkiiknkelflnjjlipnaeapefmjbh?hl=en

For example, for updating my finances right next to the sign in button I have on the sticky note:

BEFORE YOU SIGN IN: Please start Cold turkey, Forest and then the 25:00 pomodoro. Also, utilize the Distraction pad and make sure it has today's date on it. (This is a great reminder for me to utilize my system in order to stay focused)

Lastly, I use The Distraction Pad -- https://nickwignall.com/distractions-list/

To recap, my system for deep focus is: Pomodoro, Cold Turkey, Forest, Note Anywhere and the Distraction Pad. This may seem like a lot of work, but it's really not and so far it has been great.

Also, for the Notes section in My Fastlane Daily, I started writing down PFT, which stands for phone free time (using Moment) and track the number of hours I go without being on my phone. My goal is to be on my phone for 1 hour per day
 
Last edited:

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