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Comment by hypertexthero | Hacker News Reader

In the beginning of the day, don’t look at phone or computer. Avoid news especially, and instead write thoughts, draw something, work on a song, make something, anything. Don’t let day get sucked away with things that can’t be controlled.

Excercise every day with “scientific 7 minute workout”. Also 20–40 minute walks or 100 basketball jump-shots.

Draw daily, even a 5 minute drawing.

Write daily, even for 5 minutes.

Publish first original song, publish first EP. Learn a new song or practice one or two from existing set. Keep learning piano by learning songs you like: https://hypertexthero.com/piano/

Write postcards to people.

Set up a weekly “office hours” livestream to help people with design or technical computer issues.

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You, sir or madam, should probably focus on one habit at a time. To focus on everything is to focus on nothing. I say this from experience. I can maintain progress on a few things, but as soon as it increases beyond a few things I lose all of them.

I try to do one of the above at a time, and not all at once, though it can be difficult :-D Life’s not so long and I’m interested in lots of things.

Jack-of-all-trades, master of none here, which can be useful, too!

> Don't look at the phone or computer in the morning

Avoiding wasting time is okayish but it pales in comparison to the state where you are naturally drawn to doing things that you consider to be more important.

Honestly i think these are the same though. I'm never _less_ drawn to doing important things than when i watch youtube for the first hour or two of the day. Starting the day with a complete dopamine dump (i don't know if it's correct physiologically but it feels like it) really kills motivation and thus avoiding it really makes the day productive. Since I've noticed in myself, it make a lot bigger difference than one might assume

I would agree that watching phone in the morning tends to make things worse but avoiding it does not automatically lead to being productive. For me at least.

I'm of two minds here.

On one hand, I absolutely agree that you should try to focus on maximizing the positive aspects of your life rather than overly focus on beating down the negatives. For instance, I'm happiest when I'm taking a lot of recreational classes outside of work, and when I'm doing that - my phone usage is not a problem - it's a fine way to spend my limited free time because I'm already doing the things I love.

On the other hand, in the morning especially it feels like looking at my phone can kinda derail my day sometimes. So I download Opal and just set a hard block (impossible to skip) from 9:55pm - 9:35am, that way I'm able to use my phone during the day, but not the very first thing in the day. I find that works well for me.

does this scientific 7 minute workout work?

Has worked for me.

It’s boring and difficult at first, but clears sinuses, gives energy, and a good endorphin mood boost to start the day.

A 20–40 minute fast walk is good, too.

What is the workout you do?

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/well/workouts/

More info: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/7-minute-workout

10 second break between each of these:

Jumping jacks (30 seconds)

Wall sit (30 seconds)

Pushups (30 seconds)

Crunches (30 seconds)

Step-up onto chair, alternating legs (30 seconds)

Squats (30 seconds)

Triceps dips, using a chair or bench (30 seconds)

Forearm plank (30 seconds)

High-knees or running in place (30 seconds)

Lunges, alternating legs (30 seconds)

Pushups with rotation, alternating sides (30 seconds)

Side plank (30 seconds)

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