29/07/2020 - productivity apps

tried and liked

blocks apps. modes like daily max time, etc. see below
personally, i use facebook as newsfeed to push articles to me and often click out of it, so actually 2 minutes on facebook is plenty much. unfortunately i cant block youtube because i learn on it

block a max of 5 apps on the free version. set my working hours and i don't get to use them.
nice annoying overlay mocking you when you try to open the blocked app and it even lets you know the number of times you attempted.
personally i recommend you not to touch your fun apps in the morning at all. it just blows me off course.

suggested usage - set up reminders quickly => faster than setting a calendar event=>create a note and set a reminder on keep, it allows you to pick quick date and times, can also customise specifically => it is reflected on my google calender home screen widget in reverse order => so i can see upcoming events clearly => notifications are inadequate because they are swipeable. you just need a daily habit of opening your phone and taking a look=> event has to be marked done, it has the feature to be pushed to the next day if not checked off
quick access list=> create a tickbox type list and pin it=> list appears on my keep widget on homepage => press to see more details
further use of lists=>i also plan my day every night using time chunking - divided into 6/7 chunks - am before work (aka morning routine), am during work, noon before work, pm work, pm after work, bed time (aka bed time routine)

i use it to do a daily log - record ideas, what i have done and what i missed, review why i got off track
also use it to store in my notes for online courses everyday which i type on notepad
useful bed time ritual
it is like an accountability log

you can borrow books for free if you are singaporean and highlight text on the browser app
personally i have a habit of highlighting on non fiction books because they make me fall asleep

books

how to read a non fiction book
check out the chapter list. save your time on the prologue.
keep in mind what kind of information you want to look out for
practice highlighting
use ebooks, they are portable
some like to read in the day but i rather start in the evening because i don't find them relaxing at all, i read because i wanted to learn about something and not because it is relaxing
at the same time, google for articles which offer more brevity without losing content
try to complete the book
you can skip the page if you skim and decide there is nothing of value to trudge through

relaxing books
i like those offbeat ones. their messy lives make me feel right at home and better about myself.

physical items

bed side stand - for keeping stuff within reach
landing spot - for items to bring when you leave home
your bag - have a habit of packing your bag
clock that is 30 minutes early and has huge number - great for people who are often late like me

bedtime items

a melodius sounding phone alarm is less stressful to wake up to
sunlight lamp / box
use a blue light filter
or night mode - which turns your screen monochrome so you don't want to use it
an app like calm with a soothing voice and sounds - aka talk me to sleep because i am single AF
mejoo and cats on youtube - hyejoo's lifestyle is so nice
a coffee in the morning boosts arousal and motivation
plants near your bed, at least you have a living thing near you

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