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1. I listen to playlists of original soundtracks.
Ones that contain instrumentals only and no singing. It enables me to put sharp focus into my work as I feel immersed inside a virtual world. The playlist should be long enough or put on repeat so that I am not distracted by the music stopping.
I am currently listening to Hans Zimmer's musical scores from several acclaimed movies. I also highly recommend the soundtracks from the video game, Genshin Impact which can be upbeat or calming (click here for a compilation playlist). 10/10 from me. One of the reasons I find the latter special is because it contains music inspired by various cultures around the world.
2. I turn off notifications, flip my phone face down and place it out of reach.
In today's world, we are constantly distracted by endless notifications from social media, instant messaging, news and annoying ads. There's a good chance none of them are important.
Before I get into deep work, I will make sure I have done any urgent messaging. I will then turn on the "Do Not Disturb" function and put them face down on a table that requires some effort to walk to.
3. I have one short to-do "today" list in front of me.
No matter how long my to-do lists are, I cut it down to the tasks I am only going to realistically finish today. If I have a hundred items, this helps to put focus on the most relevant ones that matter now and doesn't feel so overwhelming that it puts me off starting.
I start with a blank, clean slate to avoid distractions from ones that can be done later. I mostly use my iPad, sometimes I use a notepad.
When starting a task, I put my full focus on it. In the past, I have made the mistake of multitasking multiple tasks.
4. Once I get going, I don't stop.
When I get into the rhythm of consistent working, I can churn out a lot of material and complete objectives efficiently. Don't get distracted. Of course I always take breaks here and there to re-energise my brain.
The key is consistent, focused time on my projects day after day. If I drop it for a week, it can take a while to get back into the groove.
5. Remind Myself of the End-Goal
I think about the "why" from time to time to ensure I have not drifted too far from my original objective. Then I concentrate one step at a time. Over the years, I have learnt to appreciate the journey along the way.
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