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elonomhblog · 21 days

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45:15 pomodoro ~ study technique

the pomodoro technique was developed in the late 1980's by francesco cirillo, who was a university student at the time. here’s how it came about:

struggling to focus. cirillo found himself struggling to focus on his studies and complete assignments. feeling overwhelmed, he sought a way to improve his productivity and concentration.

the tomato timer. inspired by a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (known as “pomodoro” in italian), cirillo decided to experiment with time management methods. he set a two-minute timer for himself and challenged himself to stay focused for just two minutes.

twenty-five-minute work intervals. building on this idea, cirillo refined the technique. he divided his work into twenty-five-minute intervals, which he called “pomodoros”. during each pomodoro, he worked diligently on a task without distractions.

short breaks. after each twenty-five-minute work interval, cirillo took a five-minute break. these breaks allowed him to recharge and maintain focus.

longer breaks. after completing four pomodoros (a total of one-hundred minutes), he rewarded himself with a longer break of fifteen to thirty minutes. this cycle helped him manage his time effectively.

some challenges that people face with the pomodoro timer include: facing interruptions and distractions, task switching, ridgity, ignoring breaks, perfectionism and fatigue.

this is why some students choose to partake in a 45:15 pomodoro, as it allows them to spend more time on their tasks, and then they can enjoy a longer break.

longer intervals allow for deep focus. some students find it difficult to switch tasks every twenty-five-minutes, preferring to immerse themselves in a topic for a longer period.

certain academic tasks, such as extended essays, research and programming, require sustained attention. longer pomodoros accommodate this better.

it's important to remember that everyone has different levels of focus and a unique productivity rhythm. it's important to test out different structures and strategies and learn what works best with your natural flow.

❤️ joanne

(images are from pinterest)

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nanowrimo · 5 months

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Pro Tips from a NaNo Coach: How to Write a Clean(ish) Fast Draft

NaNoWriMo can seem like a daunting task sometimes, for NaNo newbies and veterans alike. Fortunately, our NaNo Coaches are here to help guide you through November! Today, author Jesse Q. Sutanto is here to share her advice on how to set yourself up for noveling success:

Dear Nano-ers,

My first book took me three years to cobble together. During that time, I joined Absolute Write—a free writers forum which I completely love and recommend to all aspiring writers—and I made a friend who convinced me to try doing NaNoWriMo. I was completely unconvinced, but I am a people-pleaser and I can never say no, so I agreed to try it for my second novel.

My second novel took me less than a month to write. It was a complete mess, but it was also a revelation. Often, I felt myself falling into that writing Holy Grail—the hole which consumes you, makes you forget the rest of the world, and absorbs you completely in the world you are creating on paper. I loved the process deeply, and never looked back since. All of my subsequent books have since been written in a matter of months.

And you know what? They were all a horrific mess. I did not learn how to do a clean and fast draft until my NINTH book, and I don’t think I would’ve ever learnt without the help of NaNoWriMo. So here are my tips on how to best tackle a sprint-a-thon like NaNo.

1. Try to come up with a loose outline.

When I first started writing, I was a pure pantser. I had no idea what was going to happen before I sat down to write. This is a completely legit way of writing, but I have since learned that it is massively helpful to have an idea, even a vague one, of what you are trying to say with your book. What was really helpful for me was to sit down for just five minutes before writing each scene and try to envision what I wanted the scene to achieve. Once I had that in mind, the scene became much easier to write.

2. Break down your writing time.

Ever heard of the Pomodoro technique? In order to hit 50,000 words a month, you need to write around 1,600 words a day. That is a heck of a lot of words to write! Break it down. Set 10 or 15-minute timers and use that to your advantage. Trust me, if you told me to sit down and write 1,600 words, I would be like, “Omg that’s too much!” But if you told me to just write for 15 minutes, that feels a lot more doable.

3. Give yourself permission to write trash.

Before each writing session, I actually say out loud: “I am going to write trash.” And this gives me permission to write whatever comes to my mind without judgment. You can always edit later, but for now, focus on letting the words out on paper.

4. Lean on others for support.

I made the mistake of thinking that writing is a lonely vocation. In fact, it is one of the most social things I could do. Social media, while a double-edged sword, has done so much for the writing community. I have found all of my close writer friends through social media, and I chat with them every day and consider them my close, lifelong friends. Don’t be afraid to reach out and make connections within the community. You are not alone.

Jesse Q. Sutanto is the award-winning, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Well, That Was Unexpected, The Obsession, and Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit. The film rights to her women’s fiction, Dial A for Aunties, was bought by Netflix in a competitive bidding war, and the TV rights to Vera Wong was bought by Warner Bros, with Oprah and Mindy Kaling attached to produce. She has a master’s degree in creative writing from Oxford University, though she hasn’t found a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious.

#nanowrimo #writing #nanowrimo 2023 #writing advice #writing tips #writblr #by nano coach #jesse q. sutanto

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ohmyamor · 5 months

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ateez as college bfs during finals

it's my finals week and head hurty but crazy form good hnngjdnjgnjdf

hongjoong

will help you study but only if you bribe him a little

it's not that he wants to see you fail

he definitely does not want that

but at the same time

you would most likely do just fine studying on your own

he has a sneaking suspicion you just want to bother him

it's not until you bring out the "I'll do whatever you want for the next two weeks" that he's quick to agree

would he use this promise to his advantage? absolutely

hongjoong would help you study but then once you pass (you'd definitely pass with his help), he'd be quick to make you buy him food or pass him the blanket that is literal inches away from him

if you want to pass, you could also guilt trip him into helping you study by saying you'll just go to your TA

who's a man..

your same age...

hongjoong is real quick to whip out the flash cards after that

unless you give him a hard time, then he'll personally take you to the TA's room himself

7/10- would help you study but is all the work he would make you do after worth it?

debatable

seonghwa

absolute king

would drop everything to help you in the blink of an eye

he's got the studying playlists on youtube

anything you want to listen to, he's got it

lofi? yup. asmr? check. dark academia aesthetic? absolutely

color coded notes, flashcards, practice quizzes up and running

can seem a bit overwhelming at first but seonghwa gives me the vibes that he would just know you so well

and therefore he would know what type of studying or work environment you thrive in

and you're his baby, he wants to see you succeed :((

if you ever get frustrated or overwhelmed, seonghwa would 100% have your favorite drink and snack ready

some coffee to stay awake? whatever u need, some tea to relax? bet, he's got the honey and everything

your number 1 hype man frfr

10/10 need him in my life

yunho

honestly, also really good to have around during finals

strikes me as the type of bf to kind of sit with you and also silently work alongside you so you don't feel lonely

does that thing when you're writing a paper or smth and you look up to think of the word you want to use and the two of you make eye contact and he'll send you a wink and a big smile

little motivations yaknow

would also definitely use the pomodoro method

has a timer on his phone for every 45 minutes and when the time is up he'll gently shut your computer and grab your hands and just chat

would be the best person to bounce ideas of off

"yuyu, should I say this or this?"

and he would give genuine feedback

if you need help studying for an exam, yunho might not know all the answers but you can bet he would be right there with you watching videos of people working out the problems

gives you little high fives when you both get it

9/10 might get occasionally distracted by his beautiful blinding smiles but honestly a pretty solid study partner

yeosang

mans is just there to vibe and honestly same

i dont wanna say he has absolutely no clue what's going on

because he does listen to you and he does pay attention when you talk about your classes

but at the same time, he doesn't really give me the vibes he would be as great at studying as some of the others

more there for moral and emotional support than anything

might feel bad he can't be of more help so he tries his best to listen to your lectures if you're at home, but man, it sounds like a different language somebody save him

would definitely make sure you're eating and resting well though

"sweetheart I think it's time to take a break"

"yeosang I just need to finish a few more problems :("

"you can do it after you eat something, it'll be easier to finish with a clear head and a full tummy"

crying screaming throwing up

would otherwise leave you to your devices tbh

doesn't want to distract you but also doesn't want you to be completely alone in case you forget to take care of yourself

8/10 man is doing his absolute best and we love him for it

san

honestly this could go one of two ways

he could either be the most serious, hella studious mf you've ever met

or he could be the most unserious, menacing bitch you've ever met

it all depends on his mood

serious san is in the mf ZONE

he's got the glasses on, he has his notes out, comfy sweater and gray sweats ON

ready to give you a mom look every time you get distracted

at one point you'd probably try to play footsies with him and he just kinda stares at you over the top of his glasses with one eyebrow raised and you just slowly return your gaze to your work

that being said

glasses ON, sweats ON, absolute fucking menace

teasing you fs

maybe not even like in a sexual manner, just tickling you and cracking stupid jokes because he wants your attention

WILL kiss your neck and tell you "you're so smart baby, you're going to pass no matter what"

your will power needs to be better than the lords because LORD

what san wants, san gets that's all imma say

5/10 you don't know what you're gonna get and it's scary

mingi

im tired of the mingi is dumb allegations

mans is smart as hell, not only in math but also the amount of lyrics and songs he helps to produce??

studious mingi is one hell of a study partner

it might be a little bit of a learning curve at first, especially if you're the type of person to want to chat or bounce your ideas off of someone while you're working

mingi gives me the vibes that he would be dead serious and focused while working

so it might be a little intimidating at first

you look up to ask a question and he's sitting there, eyebrows furrowed and fingers flying across the keyboard

and you're like damn i don't want to disturb him so you swallow your question and move your eyes back to your work

but mingi is also very observant, so he definitely notices that

"what's up baby?"

"mmmm nothing" you mumble, trying to figure out this particular problem

he'll shut his laptop off and scoot closer to you

wordlessly helps you figure out whatever it is you're working on before giving you a small kiss to your forehead and moving on

8/10 he can be the stem major to my humanities major

wooyoung

let's be fr, not the best study partner you could ask for

love wooyoung with all my heart but mans gets distracted easy as hell

has probably tried the pomodoro method but it just doesn't work for him

sitting for longer periods of times just makes him antsy yk

i get the feeling he'd be the type of person to get one of those moving desks that goes up and down and then puts a treadmill or smth under it because he needs to be moving or else he'll get very distracted

do NOT take this man to a cafe to work, he will do everything but study

especially with the people watching

"babe look at that guy over there, his shoelace is untied"

"that girl's shirt tag is sticking out, should I say something"

"the barista spilled that woman's drink"

if you're okay with background noise, it probably wouldn't be too bad....

until he starts wanting attention and now he's playing footsies with YOU

"woo, babe, I really need to finish this, it's due tomorrow"

"so you don't love me is what you're saying"

and now two hours have passed and you only have half of an assignment done

will buy you food and/or coffee to make up for it

"sorry for distracting you, you don't need a degree, your ass is great"

3/10

jongho

scary

scary studying man

has everything organized to a T, do NOT touch his notes unless you're okay with dealing with the 3 days of silent treatment afterwards

im jk

maybe...

no but fr, jongho takes studying seriously

if you ask him for help, he would probably be the best bet besides seonghwa or yunho

but this shit is like boot camp, okay? so be prepared

no fooling around on jongho's watch

you want to pass, guess what baby, you're gonna PASS

does that thing where if you're not getting something, he might not explain it to you, just re-asks the question louder

"what's 3 + 4?"

"6"

*sighs* "WHAT'S 3 + 4?!"

or might just stare at you blankly when you try to joke around

mans acts like he's training future CIA members or something

once you do finish studying he's back to regularly scheduled bear bf but studying??

only for the strongest soldiers

6/10

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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lyralit · 4 months

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1.1.24 - writing progress & new year's resolutions

I've recently decided to try and write a little every day: so today I sat down and put on a timer (I use this one) but I changed the pomodoro settings to 10 minute work time and 1 minute break (with a 5 minute long break). I wrote 1,3k in a sitting! This is the most I've written in so long.

here are some writing things I want to try in the new year: - keeping a writing progress chart - doing ten minute writing sprints with 1 minute pauses - having conversations out loud on a voice memo and retyping it later on - writing scenes in the order I feel like writing them and reorganizing them later - having a journal of random scenes that I can put into stories (keeping track of my random prompts) - keeping a word count diary

on the other hand, here are my writing (related) resolutions! - post consistently on tumblr, both with journal (like this one) entries and prompts - to try and keep writing even if it's bad. you can be a bad author, or you can not be one at all (though frankly I don't *really* believe this. but it's a resolution, so I'll try) - engage my tumblr community! (would anyone be interested in sharing their own prompts in responses to asks?) - this is The Year (like last year and the one before). I'm going to Write A Book. - stay in love with writing. even if it means knowing when to stop, or trying to start again.

but cheers to everyone I've met in 2024, who have come, and cheers to those who have stayed. I wish you the best creative year yet. until tomorrow!

k.

#lyralit #new year's day #new year's resolution #journal entries #creative writing #writerblr #writers #writing #writers block

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myadhdchronicles · 6 months

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Navigating Life with ADHD: My Journey, Tips, and Hacks

Living with ADHD has its unique challenges, but it's also a journey filled with creativity, resilience, and countless small victories. I've learned to embrace my ADHD and discovered some invaluable tips, hints, and hacks along the way. In this blog, I'll share my personal insights and strategies that have made life with ADHD more manageable and even exciting.

1. Embrace Your ADHD:

Accepting your ADHD is the first step to managing it effectively. It's a part of who you are, and that's okay.

Learn about your specific strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD. You might be exceptionally creative or have hyperfocus superpowers!

2. Create a Structured Routine:

Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of stability and predictability.

Use digital calendars, planners, and reminders to keep track of appointments, tasks, and deadlines. I particularly like Sunsama, it is very ADHD-friendly. Habitica is good too, it is a gamified digital calendar that engages the ADHD brain much better than regular planners.

3. Prioritize and Set Goals:

ADHD brains can easily get overwhelmed by too many tasks. Prioritize your to-do list and break tasks into smaller, manageable goals.

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.

4. Minimize Distractions:

Create a dedicated workspace that's free from distractions.

Consider using noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, or white noise to maintain focus.

Learn what kind of workspace works best for you, it's not the same for every ADHD brain.

5. Time Management Techniques:

Use the Pomodoro Technique (working in short, focused bursts with breaks) to stay on track.

Set timers for tasks to prevent hyperfocus and procrastination.

6. Medication and Therapy:

Consult a medical professional to discuss medication options.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you develop coping strategies and improve executive functioning skills, but know your own ADHD brain because it does not work for all of them.

7. Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness practices can help you stay present and reduce anxiety.

Try meditation to improve concentration and self-awareness.

Meditation and mindfulness do not have to be the typical sit still and clear your-mind things they are for non-ADHD brains, for a lot of ADHD brains we need to move so something like knitting/crocheting, going for a walk, or sitting outside in nature with your dog are our forms of mindfulness and meditation.

8. Stay Organized:

Use color coding, labels, and file systems to keep your physical and digital spaces organized.

Daily checklists can be a game-changer.

Know your own ADHD brain and make your system one that works for your brain or organization will continue to be a struggle.

9. Don't Fear Mistakes:

It's okay to make mistakes. Learn from them and keep moving forward.

Perfectionism can be your enemy; aim for progress, not perfection.

Learn to let good enough be good enough, perfection does not exist.

10. Get Adequate Sleep and Exercise:

Prioritize good sleep hygiene; it can significantly impact your ADHD symptoms.

Regular physical activity can boost focus and mood.

11. Utilize ADHD-Related Apps:

Explore ADHD-focused apps designed to help with time management, organization, and focus.

Some popular options include Todoist, Forest, Trello, Clarify ADHD, Sunsama, and Fabulous.

12. Seek Support and Community:

Connect with others who have ADHD through support groups or online forums.

Share your experiences and learn from the journeys of others.

Living with ADHD doesn't mean you're destined to struggle. By embracing your uniqueness and applying these tips, hints, and hacks, you can take control of your life. ADHD has its challenges, but it can also be a source of creativity, innovation, and unique perspectives. Remember, you're not alone, and there's a vibrant community of people who understand and support you on this journey. Embrace your ADHD, and together, we can navigate the world with success and resilience. See you next time, ADHD Team!

#adhd #adhd brain #adhd problems #neurodivergence #actually adhd #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #neurodiverse stuff #adhd things

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hillbillyoracle · 4 months

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What Made My Life Better in 2023

One of the things I'm thinking about a lot as I get ready for 2024 is what actually made an impact for me in the last year. It was interesting to think through because it was neither what I expected nor what I had always heard would help me. Instead it was often small changes that stacked into something much more helpful and interesting when put together.

I wanted to share them in case it's helpful for anyone else.

#1 - Adaptive Cleaning

While I still use elements of other cleaning systems, the base of what I do is firmly rooted in Sarah McGlory's Adaptive Cleaning ideas. I started implementing it about halfway through the year in earnest, though I stumbled upon it a year or two ago, and it's made a huge difference. This is the cleanest my space has ever been and the fewest flares I've ever had and I genuinely do credit her ideas for being a big reason for that.

#2 - My Care Kit

About halfway through the year I also threw together this care kit that I keep by my bed. It has everything I need to do my skincare, brush my teeth, and do my makeup - all without leaving my bed. While I've felt embarrassed at just how much it's done for me, I think it's a great example of "do what works." I just don't like get up once I've sat down for the evening. And it's easier to get up if I already have all that stuff done. Not only have I kept up with skincare and other habits probably the best out of any point in my life, but the mood and self esteem boost it gives me has allowed me to do more of what I want in other areas too.

#3 - 750 Words

I start using 750 Words on a whim. I had liked doing morning pages but could never really keep up with them, especially on days when I was really struggling with my hands. I wound up really taking to it and have only missed a few days since I started in November. I wound up paying for a year of it because I'm that certain of it's benefit. I've written way more for my zines, my mental health is a little better, and it serves as an anchor habit for several others. I love the simplicity of it. I can usually crank out my freewrite for the day in about 10 minutes - I like 10 minutes being my new minimum versus the zero it was.

#4 - Laundry Day

This might seem obvious or silly to you but as someone who has tried a lot of cleaning routines, I was so used to the a load a day rule that I never questioned it. That is until I read Dana K. White's book How To Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind. She talks about her laundry system and it just completely changed my perspective. Laundry day has given me so much of my time back and I more regularly do more of our laundry. I'm sure other people were aware this was an option but I guess I needed someone to tell me.

#5 - Connecting with a Sangha

I'd been putting off connecting with a Sangha for a while. I knew I wasn't going to be in a place to go in person (I'm about an hour and a half any moderate sized city) and only meeting online felt like a pale imitation. But I was wrong. I got connected with the Furnace Mountain Zen Center based here in Kentucky and started attending more of their weekday meditation sessions and at home day retreats as I was able. It really deepened my practice and has remained a touchstone to return back to when I got through times life pulls me away. I wish I would have done it sooner. If you're Buddhist leaning in any way, I really recommend finding a Sangha - even if it's online.

I hope this sparks some ideas for other people. None of the "productivity" stuff I tried this year "worked" in the sense of sticking or allowing me to do more. The closest was probably pomodoros on a visual timer, which are genuinely helpful. But mostly it was acts of nurturance, curiosity, and care that really elevated my life this year.

May 2024 be even better!

#2024 #new years #self improvement #self care

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fujisfuji · 1 year

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THE GLOW UP CHALLENGE ~ LOA VERSION

you wanna transform your life ? have fun in both the 3d and 4d ? improve your current circumstances & feel at peace with the law , your 3d & ur imagination ? you are at the right place ⭐️

“ the 3d is not happening to you it’s coming from you “ don’t regret not living like you should’ve in the 3d .

STEP 1 : the cleanse .

ask yourself these questions .

> are you satisfied with your current circumstances ?

> how bad do you want a change ?

> do you wanna be proud of yourself in the near future ?

> do the habits I have currently help in my development ? change those habits that hold you from your development .

most of the time I felt horrible in my 3d can all be rooted down to the excessive screen time and addiction I had it completely ruined everything for me especially my grades . I would over consume LOA content often not applying . the solution ? digital minimalism ( cal newport book ) . setting a time to just what you will consume at what time . deleting apps that don’t benefit you take tons of your time . simply click delete . social media can sometimes be the enemy. these apps are designed to have you hooked . it’s a trap . reflect . try a dopamine detox ( cajun koi academy on youtube )

make a daily ideal routine stating what you do from the moment you wake up to sleep even if it may be unreal to you currently . everyday try following it it’s ok even if you messed up everything for a week you have to try and stay dedicated to getting it right . discipline yourself . is this what you want ?

during this time obviously you will get focused following your ideal routine .

step 2 : school .

working on your grades & trying your best . set pomodoro timers . buy cute stationaries . create your own study guide try new study methods . allocate time for your studies.

step 3 : LAW OF ASSUMPTION

follow one guide for me it will be edward art and edward art only his series and youtube . I will allocate time to consume his content . it’s more important to apply rather than gain excessive knowledge & I will live in my imagination .

step 4 : reflection

meditate or journal everyday .

step 5 : asking yourself “ would the highest version of myself do what i’m doing right now ? “ what does she think like , what are her reactions ? what does she look like ? try being it . ( from a 3d perspective )

I made this as a guide for myself I know it’s all over the place but maybe it will help someone ?

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writers-potion · 2 months

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⏱︎ ⩇⩇:⩇⩇ How to Write Faster! ▶️

Productivity is something that I, as a writer, have not been able to achieve for years. If you are someone who has great plans but is always defeated by your own lazy brain, let's try:

01. Writing Sprints (+pomodoro writing)

Make use of 10/15/20 minute writing sprints with a word count goal. It doesn't matter if what you write is not entirely coherent! You'll have the time to fix it in between sessions and later when you edit.

If you aren't a fan of timers going off every ten minutes, try 25-5/ 45-15/50-10 pomodoro sessions.

02. Use Music

Slap your headphones on with your favourite music.

Or even better, create a playlist that represents your story's vibe and keep it on replay.

03. Take Notes + Create an Outline

Gather notes and ideas about what you want to write beforehand to wrap your mind around the content.

Create a detailed outline of your chapter. If you need external reference, open those links before your start to avoid digging for resources in the middle of your writing session.

03. Set Specific Deadlines

Set deadlines with regular intervals. For me, I try to keep up a regular posting schedule on Wattpad so that I don't disappoint my audience (albeit small, very small)

Rather than just saying, "I'll really finish my book this year," have a breakdown of mini-goals that'll take you to the stars, step by step.

04. Enroll in a writing class/critique group

It's hard to keep yourself accountable, so this is a great way to get some external motivation.

If you need to show your writing to others, you are more likely to work harder to achieve a level of quantity and quality! They are a great source of learning nd feedback, too.

05. Remove distractions

The environment in which you write is important. Get your annoying housework done, make coffee, get the snacks you know you're going to start craving.

Keep your butt stuck to your chair as you write. If you're someone who likes the quiet, get some noise cancelling.

06. No Editing!

This is a popular one! Don't stop after every two sentences to see if your story is flowing the right way.

Save your edits for your future self.

07. Find your best time

Try to write as regularly as possible. Experiment with different times (morning? lunchtime? after dinner? before you go to bed? 3AM? - okay maybe not this one) to see which window offers the best level of concentration.

Also, look for the best place to write.

08. Play typing games (+ignore typos)

If you feel that your fingers are physically failing you, try improving the accuracy and speed of your fingers by practicising your typing games. Especially if you are someone who write in more than two langauges, improve the speed for the language you mightn't be as strong at.

Also, ignore spellchecks when you are pushing out the first draft. You can always come back to them later.

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

🖱️References

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-faster

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sincerely-sofie · 19 days

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Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for making a story so well written I feel like I get second-hand depression every time I read the last two chapters. :)

I think I had more of a thing I was trying to do when I thought I should make an ask, so uh... any advice for a very average artist/writer who struggles with finding motivation for writing?

As payment, I offer you this picture of a dog.

Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm real insecure about my writing and it's clarity, so to hear that it's emotionally powerful means a lot to me, hehe :>

Ooooh man. Do I EVER have advice for artist/writer combo creators who struggle to find motivation for writing. C’mere buddy. Lean in reeeaaal close. Your fellow average artist/writer is gonna tell you a secret. Come on. Even closer. You ready? Okay.

The world has conned you into thinking motivation is necessary to write, or even do anything in general. It's a scam. Motivation is nice, but it's just the icing on the cake. You need a cake in the first place to even enjoy it.

(If you're interested, I’ve written about making your own motivation in the past. Intrinsically created motivation is a lot healthier of a sort of motivation to seek out than extrinsically located motivation, which is the motivation I’m mostly referring to in this post. I figure I’d link to it in case you’re having trouble getting enough oomph to want to even consider writing in the first place, as the rest of this post assumes you’re fairly comfortable with the writing process, but have trouble getting it done.)

Before I wrote The Present is a Gift, I had never truly finished a writing project— I had co-written the script for a video game that never got made and wrote the first short story in an anthology I started and never concluded. Other than that, I had nothing but a massive field of stories that I'd endlessly flit back and forth between, adding to each project I landed on for a time, but never lingering long enough to actually see anything to completion. I loved all of my projects and wanted to do them justice by finishing them, but I never was able to do anything close to that. There were multiple reasons for my struggle to do substantial work on my projects— but the greatest reason was by far my refusal to use anything but motivation as a reason to work on projects. I’d wait for myself to feel motivated to write anything. And I would only be motivated so frequently.

I attribute my newfound ability to break from my pattern of abandoning and rescuing projects over and over to one thing— I set up a writing routine.

I chose a time that worked best for me every weekday to pour myself a massive mug of my favorite edible battery acid (tropical punch Tampico, for anyone curious) sit down at my computer, put on my headphones, turn on one of those multi-hour-long pomodoro timer youtube videos that have pretty music in the background, and write. This was also in combination with an attempt to win at NaNoWriMo, a writing challenge where you try to write 50k words in November, which gave me a daily word count target to try and reach or exceed. NaNoWriMo’s deadline was also helpful— and so was a promise I made to myself to not work on projects other than TPiaG before it was completed— but the real reason I actually managed to write TPiaG was because every weekday I’d do my writing routine.

I was not motivated whatsoever at the start. I was anxious, intimidated, and very reluctant to write. But I committed to writing TPiaG to completion, no matter how I felt about it, because a lot of people wanted to read the story, and I didn’t want to let them down. Not the healthiest driving thought process, I will readily say, but it got me to sit in my chair at first. As time went on and I shook off the rust and reluctance, I wouldn’t feel as anxious about writing. I didn’t feel intimidated. I would wake up and think to myself “OH BOY, IT’S WRITING TIME!” and leap out of bed to start my routine. Motivation only came after I had already been writing every weekday for about three weeks. And the motivation stayed for as long as I kept up with my writing routine.

Don’t get me wrong— motivation is important. But waiting until you’re motivated to do something is a very unsteady way to go about life, and in my experience when that thought process is applied to writing, it means you’ll never finish anything and never be satisfied with your work. There’s a quote that I love that says “the motivation comes after you show up.” And it’s absolutely true.

Motivation loves momentum. You can set bait for it by writing consistently for a while, whereupon it will make its way into your brain and make itself at home for as long as you keep up the momentum you’ve gotten. If you just wait for motivation to stumble into you, you might get lucky, but only that— lucky. You won’t have gained any skills in cultivating your own motivation, and when that lucky motivation fizzles out, you’ll be left waiting for the possibility of another brief flash of motivation to take its place before you’re ready to write again.

#creativity tips with sofie #creativity tips #writing tips #writing advice #writing tip #writing hacks #writing motivation #motivation #sofie answers asks

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aestrophilia · 2 years

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Best Apps For Productivity & Studying

Hello there lovelies! It hasn’t been long since I started my vacay and soon enough, school is about to start. A few days from now I’ll be entering my school as a junior, aka 3rd-year college student. Time flies fast, doesn’t it? I started this blog when I was in my junior year of high school and now I’m a college student!

Speaking of school, I have here 4 apps that I really love to use for studying and any academic-related tasks, or whenever I need to be productive. These are 4 of the best apps out there that can help you be more productive and track your progress. You can also use these apps regardless if you’re in high school or college. Another thing about these apps is they are all easy to use and navigate. Lastly, these are all free to download on IOS and Android devices.

(Photo by Reclaim.ai)

1. Google Calendar

First on the list is Google Calendar. Of all the calendar apps to choose from, this is my favorite. I have tried several calendar apps in the past and this is the only one I continue using and will use forever!

The layout is simple, easy to use, customizable, and it has a lot of features. I like that you can notify yourself multiple times for an event or task. I also like that you share an event (or calendar/tasks) with your organization, friends, and family. Another thing that I like about this app is how convenient it is because you can use it via desktop or your mobile devices.

Note: you can also add more colors for your calendar/event by clicking the three dots when hovering over a calendar, then click add custom color.

2. Yeolpumta

This is probably one of my best discoveries last semester! It’s easy to use, very customizable, functional, and of course, very aesthetically pleasing.

The app itself looks very minimalist and there arent a lot of distractions. Aside from that, you can use this app for a wide range of options such as a habit tracker, study tracker, pomodoro, etc. I personally use this as a progress and study tracker. This also helps you to stay focused because it wont let you leave the screen unless you’re using one of the allowed apps, which you can also choose which to include. In addition, it also has tons of features like the timer and calculator option, a dictionary, and white noise feature as well as see the users who are also studying at that time.

3. Notion

Notion is one of my favorite apps and I’ve been using it since I started college. I use Notion for everything! My habit tracker, expense tracker, reading tracker, journal, class schedule, to-do list, or basically my life is in here. The screenshots above is what half of my Notion dashboard looks like.

You can find lots of cool templates online or you can just create your own. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you get the gist of it, the things that you can create are endless. You may search for Alyanna Ross on Youtube because she has a lot of Notion-related videos and you can learn so much from her.

(Alyanna Ross is one of my fave YouTubers so go check her out!)

As mentioned above, you can use Notion for various things, may it be for school, work, life, or productivity. You can add lots of widgets to further customize your setup and make it more tailored to your needs. Take advantage also of the tables and columns to enhance your Notion setup.

4. Forest

This app is one of my faves to record how long I am studying. It’s also easy to use and can be used on your mobile devices or as a Chrome extension. It’s up to you to select the time or minutes of studying and after that, you get to plant a tree. If you stop, your tree also withers.

I honestly prefer Yeolpumta nowadays because it has more features. However, I am also after the plant a real-life tree feature of Forest and so far, I have already planted 5 trees! Sadly tho, 5 is the maximum.

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That’s all for today’s blog post, loves! I also just want to say that this is not sponsored. I personally use all the apps that I have mentioned on this post. Anyway, at the end of the day, your progress depends upon your will to take action and nothing will happen if you will not act. Nonetheless, I hope that these apps can also help you to be productive as much as they helped me. Originally posted on my Wordpress blog Aestrophilia.

Stay self and healthy everyone!

Lets stay connected:

ask.fm: ereecuh

email: aestrophilia@aestrophilia

.

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adhdapp · 2 months

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YOOO I’m excited! I wanna respect your time and whatnot, but I’m curious about the app called forrest basically you grow trees by focusing for set amounts of time. never tried it but the app store keeps recommending it to me. from a cursory look at the reviews, some people said it helps with phone overuse (hooray??) it is four dollars, not sure that you want to start with that. anyways thanks for your consideration, hope this blog goes super well :DD

This is actually an app I paid for the premium version of years ago, by chance! So I can give it a pretty complete shake. Here's the review.

Forest: Phone usage control

Overall rating: Certified, with stipulations. Here's the tl;dr

App includes a disincentive for failure (tree death), so if you're sensitive to even mildly feeling like you've fucked up, this might not be your bag

Low on novelty, so if you need a variety of goals to pursue quickly, this might not be your bag (other plant unlocks take a lot of time, forest grows one 25 minute increment at a time)

Achievements and events are a big plus, with several relatively easy achievements to keep you going.

No Dark Mode

supports a charity so that's pretty cool

Diamonds shop even after a 1 time purchase: go no further if you are susceptible to impulse purchases, I respect them keeping the lights on with optional bonus content, but it can be easy to chase the Purchase Dopamine and we need to say No Thank You

Red Flags: None, this app has been going steady for a few years and for seemingly pretty good reason. I didn't find any red flags with the charity it supports either. It's not on a subscription model, and nothing in it seems to be ridiculously priced.

Dopamine hits: Okay so the main drive for using this app is growing the big old garden of trees, collecting different trees, and seeing the physical space of that garden grow. With this said I have One Major Concern I'd like to get out of the way.

Are you the kind of person that's going to feel like shit if you let a plant die? Will you accidentally tab out, kill a tree, and be miserable out it? Do not use this app.

It DOES let you clear the dead trees out of your garden (see above) but personally I don't find disincentives like that as compelling as positive reinforcement. The app is encouraging about it (as you can see) but personally I'm wary of things where I can receive what feels like a punishment because I was only productive for five minutes and not the allotted ten I needed in order to keep the tree alive. the stopwatch mode reduces this, somewhat, but again, you need over 10 minutes. Make sure you allow texts or calls in allowed apps in settings so if something comes up you don't have to feel bad about killing a tree.

Features: Forest provides you one or two different tree types you can grow as you focus, and a nice little plot of land. I'll be honest, I don't think the free version gives you very much to work with, but the premium version gives you different kinds of trees you can grow, events, social connections, tracking, custom tagging system so you can track what you're spending your time off your phone doing, and best of all, achievements. Forest also comes with both a count-down and a stopwatch mode so that if you'd like to just study or work as long as you can you don't have to just do it in increments, which is nifty, and a change from some other pomodoro counters/timers. If using the app to just do poms/increments, there's a switch to keep the app on while you work.

Price: This app is a freemium (on android), but honestly, if phone restriction usage apps are useful for you, just buy the thing right out of the gate. It's 3.99 (also the price of the entire app on the apple store) and what you get for that price is like 99% of the functionality of the app imo. 3.99$ for a one-time unlock is ridiculously cheap for what you're getting. However. The other trees do take a hot minute to unlock. So if you need that cheap and easy serotonin and you have an intense need for novelty this might not be the move.

I will add a stipulation here: Make sure that phone restriction apps are actually what you Need if this is what you're using. if you're the kind of person who can respond to messages and still be productive, this may not be your bag. If you're on a computer and you're going to end up scrolling through tumblr on your laptop instead of your phone, this may not be your bag. Phone restriction apps are useful mainly if what you need to do is get off tech and go do something physical, like read a book or do chores. I do Not recommend this if what you're trying to do is write an essay on your laptop. It is just as easy to procrastinate on pc as it is on your phone. However, For What It Is, this app is extremely functional.

This app DOES have a diamond store and in app purchases to make extra cash but frankly I don't actually begrudge them this. With a one-time purchase that cheap and regular events that seem to allow you to unlock other plants, they seem to have a good content balance and hey, whatever they have to do to keep the app running. I just launched it again and it reminded me I have the pro version even through I bought that like eight years ago.

Polish + Customization: I'm grouping these together because I really have the same quibble for both, there isn't a darkmode on the settings screen, which is an annoyingly bright white compared to the rest of the app. News is Also bright white, so is the store, generally a lot of the things off the main page are bright white with no option to change them. I do not love that. But everything is easy to find and adjust, and though the load times can be a little slow (which is annoying) I generally can't complain too much.

Roadmap: News tab indicates that the app is still being updated and having new plants added, despite the developers seemingly have a couple other projects going- they've got a to-do list app I'm going to have to check out and one to prevent you using your phone while sleeping.

So there u go: Proceed with caution and respect for your specific needs, but it's top of the line in its category, imo. You just need to make sure that category is what you're looking for.

#adhd #app review #review request #forest #phone usage control #will update this review if I find out that charity is a scam but #it seems like they plant four new trees per user or something like that from their own notes and that's nifty #personally this app wasn't for me because I got sad about trees dying and also phone use restriction isn't my main issue #but i'm sure for someone somewhere this is just what they need #certified

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nanowrimo · 1 year

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Pro Tips from a NaNo Coach: How to Form Writing Habits

NaNoWriMo can seem like a daunting task sometimes, for NaNo newbies and veterans alike. Fortunately, our NaNo Coaches are here to help guide you through November! Today, author Isabel Cañas is here to share her advice on how to set yourself up for noveling success:

Dear writers,

For many of you, this is the first time you’re having a whack at writing something as long as 50,000 words. For others, this is your third, or fifth, or tenth NaNo, and you know as well as I that it never really gets easier.

One of the best ways you can set yourself up for success is to create habits early in the month and stick to them as best you can.

1. Schedule your writing time in advance.

When I was doing my PhD, I woke up early to squeeze in an hour or two of writing before I headed to campus because I am at my most productive early in the morning. You might be like me, or you might feel your sharpest in the afternoons or in the middle of the night. There is no right answer except this: whenever your time is, remember that it is yours, and it is sacred. Cordon it off and guard it jealousy.

2. Close the door.

I mean this both literally (if you can) and metaphorically: close the door on the outside world. Turn off the wifi. Turn on Do Not Disturb. Years ago, my sisters and I created the trick of sticking our phones in “phone jail” as we worked, an ornamental bird cage in my mom’s living room. Out of sight, out of mind. If music helps you get in the zone, then use it, whether it’s lo-fi beats or Taylor Swift or movie soundtracks.

3. Have a plan.

I am a plotter to the core. Staring at a blank page leaves me paralyzed. I always outline before writing, even if it’s just a line or two about what I want to happen in a scene. I encourage even the pantsers and gardeners among you (what wild, wicked, brilliant creatures you are!) to try writing a sentence summarizing what you want your scene or chapter to accomplish at the top of the page. Let this reminder guide you if you ever lose steam or wander off the path.

4. Sprint.

A sprint is a set period of time during which you try to write as much as you possibly can. How many words can you write in 25 minutes? Is it 500? 750? 1200? Can you beat that in your next sprint? I dare you to.

The only hard and fast rule is that you must start and end with the timer. You decide how long that timer runs and how short your breaks are. Try the Pomodoro method. Try 15-minute bursts. I thrive with 40 minutes of writing, 20 minutes of rest. During your breaks, be sure to stand up and stretch, but resist the siren call of your phone!

One of the most difficult things about these early days of NaNoWriMo is acclimatizing your brain to deep creative work. Just like any muscle, working your brain in new ways might leave it feeling a bit sore. I promise that it gets easier with practice!

May the words be ever in your favor,

Isabel

Isabel Cañas is a Mexican-American speculative fiction writer. After having lived in Mexico, Scotland, Egypt, and Turkey, among other places, she has settled (for now) in New York City. She holds a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and writes fiction inspired by her research and her heritage. To find out more, visit www.isabelcanas.com.

#nanowrimo #writing #Writing tips #writing advice #nanowrimo 2022 #by nano coach #isabel cañas

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bwoahtastic · 11 months

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I am high on nicotine patches and caffeine drinks and I would just like to suggest a few random things until my pomodoro break timer runs out:

- merpup max au: Carlos being anxious at first and they give him bottles of warm milk before bedtime cos it helps him calm. Thet later realise carlos's lil tail wiggles like baby lamb's would when he is drinking milk cos he loves it!

- also dinner at the pack would be hilarious, you got the wolves cooking their food, nico and max trying some of it, Carlos having to be redirecting to his plate of food cos he will try to eat anything including plastic, Charles vibing with mostly veggies and Yuki looking someone dead in the eye as he holds a raw whole fish in his chonqy hands that he is eating from kwksks

- max in omega lessons being such a cute softie around hisbfirst pack Alpha jenson! I need more of it! Like max just purring up a storm and fussing over his nest to make it perfect for jenson! And dragging over Charles a lot cos pack Alpha dad must approve of mate (lewis is just amused he knows a first pack Alpha is very important, especially cos max was so young and imprinted on jenson ksks)

- kings au: queen nico being a drama queen first class and after a fight with jenson (number 7 of that day, advisor Swb was counting), he storms off away from the Palace and jenson finds him talking to someone in old, worn begger clothing, but later realise it was Keke in disguise trying to soothe Nico!

- girl seb always trying to find an excuse to go topless rocking up to the paddock in just a skirt and some tape over her nipples? Fia be panicking and trying to get her to cover up but she skillfully stays out of their grasp<3

- girl Fernando would be soooo chaotic omg, always coming up with her evil lil plans but also knowing when to bat her long eyelashes and make doe eyes at someone to get what she wants and look innocent lol. For sure she would help the younger girls in her own way, but maybe isn't always the best influence (Also Mark is smitten with her)

#might add to this later lol #merpup max au #rule63 verse #omega lessons #kings au

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lyralit · 2 years

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ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ʀᴇꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇꜱ - ʟɪɴᴋꜱ

word count + tracking progress - nanowrimo -> "Writing a novel alone can be difficult, even for seasoned writers. NaNoWriMo helps you track your progress, set milestones, connect with other writers in a vast community, and participate in events that are designed to make sure you finish your novel. Oh, and best of all, it’s free!"

every name on this planet - fantasy name generators -> "There are over 1400 name generators, as well as many description generators, guides and various tools you might find helpful. "

simplify your writing - Hemingway editor -> The app highlights complex sentences and offers helpful suggestions (sorry, Grammarly).

understanding words - vocabulary -> "Whether you’re looking up a specific word or just browsing, you’ll find a universe of friendly explanations and fun activities designed to educate and entertain."

focus / pomodoro timer - pomofocus -> "The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a kitchen timer to break work into intervals, typically 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks."

focus writing - zenpen -> "A minimalist writing zone, where you can block out all distractions and get to what's important. The writing!"

writing prompts / feedback / contest - reedsy prompts -> "Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts."

write 3 pages / day - 750 words -> Learn to habit-write, and get results + information on your writing consistency, speed, distractions, etc. The goal is 750 words—three pages.

black market information - havocscope -> "Havocscope provides information and threat intelligence on the global black market. Due to the ability of transnational threats to cause financial losses and social harms, key statistics and data about the illegal economy is provided to help mitigate this risk. The information about the black market has been collected from government agencies, academic studies, media reports, and reported data from our sources."

baby character names - nameberry -> "Baby names by the experts at Nameberry, including popular names and unique names, baby girl names and baby boy names and gender neutral names too. We've got baby name lists, news and a revolutionary name generator. It's more than a name, it's an identity."

#writing resources #writerblr #lyralit #creative writing #writers #writers block #writing reference #writing references #wip

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ihopeucomehomesoon · 18 days

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hi do u have any advice on how to not feel like a complete failure in college... i've been very lazy and out of it this whole semester and now that it's almost over i just feel so bad and anxious about what my final grades will look like :/

i’m completely with youuu this semester has been the worst for me i’ve been so out of it and studying takes long bc i can never seem to focus. i really need to pull through though and do well on finals. i think im going to make a study plan/schedule and make daily to-do lists to help motivate me or at least visualize what needs to be done. lately ive been studying at school a lot with friends which is good for limiting distractions or laziness i feel and get caught up with when im alone at home studying. i also put a timer counting up to see how many solid hours of deep focus study time im putting in everyday (sometimes it ranges from 2 to 7 hours!) it’s kind of like the opposite of pomodoro style i think. i like seeing the stopwatch in the corner of my computer bc it kind of motivates me and makes me stay on task like clocking in to see how long i can study without losing focus. also you’re not a complete failure! always try your best and hang in there. it’s hard to have endurance for school bc it is so draining at times but give yourself a break! we’re gonna pass finals and make it through i know it 🫶

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slushiepizza · 3 months

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hi slushie (my redacted blog is cashandprizes in case this helps)! saw your post about work stuff and idk if any of this will help but just some ideas. for context i will say I'm also in school and working part time at an office job and can definitely struggle somedays to stay on task!

Category 1: skills/techniques

Organize your stuff - but not how other people tell you, in a way that works for your brain. So many people will tell you to get a planner and if regular journaling/writing doesn't work for you, this probably won't. I will say I make a google calendar for each class and put assignments and reminders in before the semester starts from the syllabus. As for work stuff, honestly I have my basic tasks that I'm always doing and the rest I get five million messages about in the work group chat. But this might not work for your brain! Maybe you're a sticky note person, or maybe you like phone reminders. Maybe you need fun notepads like this. You know your brain best.

Figure out the optimal background noise configuration to make your brain work. Some people put on music, others put on podcasts, some people listen to nature sounds, some people need complete silence (noise-canceling headphones are great for this). If you know you've been most productive in school libraries or coffee shops, find that ambience and play it. I always recommend mynoise because it really helped me during the pandemic and there's so many noise machines (nature sounds, public spaces where people "talk", ambiance, music, etc.) - I find the brain "hacking" (binural beats) are adjustable enough to keep me focused without being too anxious and can be hidden under music. But there's always youtube asmr or lofigirl or any number of other things - again, you're your own best expert

Timing. I'm a major pomodoro fan, because I find the work-break-work-break-work-long break system really helpful for not just keeping me on task but reminding me to get up and stretch. pomfocus allows you to modify the timers and I like it a lot, but you can also use a phone timer. what's useful for me is knowing that there's a set time limit - all things end, and I can keep trying and being unsuccessful but at least i did it for that whole time. idk, works for me, maybe it will work for you. or not, that's okay too!

Reward system. the rewards might be the most important part (might just be me). sometimes motivation is getting to the reward, sometimes it's being done, and if it's getting to the reward you gotta have a fun reward. I have set things to be my rewards that I enjoy (playing five minutes of a phone game, watching a video, scrolling down tumblr) like I made a playlist of shorts and short videos on youtube to watch during breaks. That and stretching out my body helps a lot and reminds me to stay focused when I am working.

Good snacks. I had a professor in undergrad tell me "if you're going to have a meeting with yourself you need a good snack" and she was wrong about a lot of things but not that. sometimes having an easy and yummy snack food and a yummy drink makes the difference when you're working.

Figure out what distracts you and plan for it. the thing is you can't eliminate every distraction, right? but if you plan for how to handle them, that can help. so first figure out what gets you distracted (silent enough to hear your thoughts, hearing other conversations, being cold/hot, uncomfortable chair, etc.) and see if you can manage that or plan for it. for example my office is freezing in the summer and sweltering in the winter, so I dress in layers and keep a snuggie in my desk when I'm on campus because if I don't i will spend all day complaining about the temperature and not working. do i look ridiculous in the snuggie, sure, but i wasn't shivering and got my stuff done.

Category 2: support systems

accountability buddies. if you have friends or coworkers or whoever that you can be like "ok. i am going to do this. if you see me on discord/tumblr please fist fight me" that is so helpful. sometimes when I'm working remotely I will sit in discord vcs to parallel play because I know it keeps me accountable for doing my work. if you can find or make something like that happen, it might help you stay on task or keep you motivated?

friends/supports in general. sometimes it's really nice to just talk about how you're struggling. they can't always fix it, but it can be nice to just be heard and validated. also, if you have coworkers, they might have had similar experiences or you might all be struggling, which could be an indicator that you are not The Drama

talking with supervisors/advisors/etc. definitely daunting, but sometimes talking to supervisors can be helpful - or it can suck. try to figure out their vibes and ask other coworkers first. you might also be able to get resources from your advisor, trusted professors, campus resources, etc. that are worth investigating.

i'll keep it short, but i always feel obligated to ask if you've considered therapy - it's because i'm in therapy school and this is my life sorry. it's not for everyone, but some people find it useful.

wow jesus sorry this was so long. i hope maybe any of this was helpful??? i am sorry you are struggling and i hope you have some good outlets to work through it and some solid friends. i hope things improve!!! wishing you the best (also i love your art not totally related but we praise your art constantly in the discord)

Hi, Lexi. Thank you so much for giving such a detailed explanation omg :")) it definitely helps a lot and it gives me peace of mind to have actionable steps like you've given me, I will try to apply them and hopefully they can help me get back on my feet again. And thank you for the kind words, and for always supporting my art; your kindness gives me the strength to keep doing what I do ^^ To everyone else, I hope these tips can be of use to you too!!

#slushiesaves #slushieanswers

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