Three life hacks to being more productive

Our brains can hold us back.  We procrastinate, worry and forget.  Here are three brain hacks I use to keep me on track, productive and positive:

• Set a timer. I am one of those people who does the dreaded tasks first and saves the good ones for last.  To get myself going so I can get to the good stuff, I set a timer.  20 minutes – no more no less. I know I can endure anything for 20 minutes.  I set the time, buckle down, and always surprise myself that at the end of 20 minutes I feel a sense of accomplishment that either keeps me going, or justifies a well-deserved reward.
• Save it for later. Worry is a human trait.  We worry about the ‘what ifs,’ ‘ands,’ and ‘buts.’ I let go of a future worry by writing down the problem and scheduling a date in the future to revisit it. And when I revisit I will see if it still is a worry or a reality. By taking it out of my head and knowing I have a date to revisit it, I can let it go and move on.
• Don’t forget.  You have to remember to take that blasted “thing” with you to deliver it someplace else.  How do you ensure you will remember it?  Place it in your way.  I move it so I will have to trip on it, or if it’s small I put my car keys under it, or if it is big enough I block the door with it.

Have any life hacks to share with us?  We’re always looking for ways to make our lives easier and richer.