| Inevitably, you will miss a bunch of days in a row. Then what? #1 changes quickly from a positive to a negative pressure producer. My preference most of the time is to optimize for discontinuity since it is usually inevitable and I want to minimize negative pressure producers. "Being in the flow" is great for productivity and all but I'd rather not count on it or optimize for it. Instead: #1 When exiting a work session, I write on a Post-it note the next immediate steps/chunks/steps in order of priority. I usually also write down the next theoretical milestone/goal these steps are part. Sometimes I'll even write down the tentative 2nd milestone. Note that this is separate from my Github-based task tracking and kanban board. That system is for when I'm in the flow and can have reasonable expectations of continuity (and when working with others). This technique minimizes "spinning up". Instead of having to mentally conceptualize the project and all its tasks to start working, I just start working and let the full scope of the project flow into my brain as I progress. If I enter flow state as a result, great. If I don't, no biggie — something gets done and I'm off to the next thing in life. #2 and #3 fit right in here. Rinse and repeat. Disclaimer: I like colored Post-it notes. |