[stygiansonic]

I'm a big believer in this method. At first, I agree - it doesn't seem rational. But human beings are rarely rational creatures all the time.

Personally, a method like this works for me. On days where I make the effort to wake up earlier and get in some exercise/a workout, I find I'm more prepared and motivated to handle the day. Of course, there is the tangible physical benefit, but there's also a psychological one as well - having accomplished Just One Thing, the momentum builds and you can feel more confident to handle the day - it's like a multiplier effect. (Now of course, there is a limit, a happy medium; if one were to wake up and run an ultra in the morning, one might not be so prepared for the rest of the day)

These are just my personal anecdotes, but I imagine there is some commonality across individuals. Find what works for you. Whether it's making your bed or a workout, it doesn't matter: The experience of breaking down jobs into manageable tasks will be extremely useful in any future situations.

[dhimes]

A while back somebody commented that this very effect was a strength of TDD. It's easy to gain mental "momentum."

I'm not a strong TDD guy, but when I'm feeling a bit slouchy (or even overwhelmed) I'll often start with unit tests to get the ball rolling.