[shubhamjain]

I don't follow any specific goals or planning but I have come to realise the value of their intended purpose. I think many people — as did I — see these lists as overburdening. But, the more I have worked towards creating or accomplishing something the more I have realised how many things are under realm of attainment with a little push. These small accomplishments make you more confident and happier.

Earlier, I lacked focus to read a book without fiddling around my phone and managing only a few pages in a spurt. Few months back, I pushed myself to concentrate and try to finish even if my mind pushed me towards just checking HN / Reddit. I managed to finish four in a month which is not a bad considering that earlier figure was one. I didn't lose any hours of my happier life but spent some in being more knowledgable.

[chillwaves]

Even without the knowledge, I find intrinsic value in training yourself to focus. Also find it helps to focus on how the activity is enriching myself, or future benefit. I might want to leave a sink full of dishes overnight, but if I do them now I frame it as a gift to my future self and the amount of relief I feel having tied up loose ends like this each day is enormous. The more I do it, the better and more efficient the habit becomes, the less time it takes.

There is more resistance to get started because of inertia but once I get going that inertia works in my favor.

[codyb]

I find that thinking about things I have to do is much less enjoyable than actually doing those things. It's definitely true that the more often you convince yourself to just get up and at 'em the easier it is to overcome those mental hurdles in the future.