Self-Discipline for Tedious, Boring, and Difficult Things

None of us can control the fact that there are some annoying tasks and obligations we’re required to do in life, but we can control how we do those things and the way we think about them.

the more immersed you are and the fewer distractions you indulge in, the quicker the work goes and the less tired you feel.

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” —Carl Sandburg

Being engaged in deep work can feel great—and procrastinators are sometimes surprised by just how much they can do once they’ve gotten started. But resist the temptation to do just five more minutes, even if you’re feeling really engaged.

he entire system falls apart if you’re muddling through your work with half a brain or thinking about all the things you’re going to do while you’re supposed to be relaxing.

“Time is the coin of your life.

Take a deep breath and move on. What is the intention you set for your next quarter? Focus on that because that’s the only thing you can actually change.

we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes the only reason we have a bad day is because we’ve consciously chosen to allow a bad morning to matter more than it needs to.

You might like to coincide your breaks with periods where you transition from one quarter to the next. If it works for you, try having a five-minute mindfulness session where you visualize yourself letting go of everything that came before, while at the same time preparing yourself to focus on the next task with fresh eyes and an open mind.

the end of each day or work unit, or before a significant pause or break, take a moment to generate a short list of small, easy tasks known as "pickup tasks" for the next day