Self-Discipline for Tedious, Boring, and Difficult Things

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

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.

“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.

So, by using the 52:17 method (keeping track of minutes and hours), the four quarters method (keeping track of the days), and the twelve-week year framework (keeping track of the weeks and months in a year), you are empowering yourself to better manage time in the short-, medium-, and long-term range

Being successful, accomplishing your goals, and being disciplined and focused means applying your efforts to the things that are genuinely under your control.

Being uninspired, unfocused, and lacking purpose and motivation means applying your efforts to things that are not under your control and never will be.

Step 2: Take a break for approximately fifteen minutes

intensely for approximately fifty-two minutes