[flashfabrixx]

18) Figure out when you're most productive during the day.

Morning person? Evening person? Put small and easy tasks in the non-productive time of the day (or break out, see point 4) and get the big ones in your best time of the day.

[SyneRyder]

And if you're not sure of when you're most productive, there's a Mac app called Vitamin-R that (aside from including a timeboxing/pomodoro-esque timer) includes a stats tool to track the hours and days of the week when you're most focused. Vitamin-R website is http://www.publicspace.net/Vitamin-R/‎

[teleclimber]

Agreed. The number 1 thing, in my opinion, is to be your own experiment. Listen to your body and your mind as it tells you when it's ready to work and when it's not, then evolve habits that promote effective work.

Example: I am not a morning person. I have also found that if my apartment is messy I get distracted. So I started doing chores in the morning right after getting up. I clean up the place while I'm still half-asleep, and when I am ready to work there is less messiness that would side-track me. Doing this regularly also means I don't have to dedicate a Saturday afternoon to cleaning.

[easy_rider]

Yes, I agree. I normally leave a clutter in the evening. I clean up glasses and plates, but normally my desk is pretty messy and dirty when the daylight shines upon it. When I tidy up before I take a seat, it puts me in the right mindset to start a normal work routine.