I have a couple of strategies and maybe you already employ some of them. Before I list them, I think it is worthwhile to get some objective assessment of your productivity given the perhaps not too infrequent slumps in productivity. I thought I would be much less productive than the average EA being a hopefully ~equal parent with much less time to work and was surprised people thought I was able to do a lot in a short amount of time! So I do not fret so much about productivity—that in and by itself might cause productivity loss.
Here are what I think are my main strategies:
Energy/motivation management—as much as possible, work on the least motivating but important tasks when you have the most motivation. Make this a priority for how you organize your life. So other things like working out, cleaning, etc. are things you can fit in when your motivation/energy level is low
Longer list of somewhat relevant but exciting tasks—have some tasks lined up that might not be the top priority in terms of effectiveness, but that is super exciting to you. If you used up all your workout, cleaning etc. time from above, you can then work on these tasks.
EA Gather if you are not in an office. Seeing other people work and chatting with them in breaks helps!
Drugs and stimulants, but be careful. Caffeine of course, lots of blue infused lighting, motivating music. I use nicotine as I seem to have stunted dopamine receptors but would be super careful here if you might be more likely to get addicted and would steer away from anything that has potential, large downsides.
I have a couple of strategies and maybe you already employ some of them. Before I list them, I think it is worthwhile to get some objective assessment of your productivity given the perhaps not too infrequent slumps in productivity. I thought I would be much less productive than the average EA being a hopefully ~equal parent with much less time to work and was surprised people thought I was able to do a lot in a short amount of time! So I do not fret so much about productivity—that in and by itself might cause productivity loss.
Here are what I think are my main strategies:
Energy/motivation management—as much as possible, work on the least motivating but important tasks when you have the most motivation. Make this a priority for how you organize your life. So other things like working out, cleaning, etc. are things you can fit in when your motivation/energy level is low
Longer list of somewhat relevant but exciting tasks—have some tasks lined up that might not be the top priority in terms of effectiveness, but that is super exciting to you. If you used up all your workout, cleaning etc. time from above, you can then work on these tasks.
EA Gather if you are not in an office. Seeing other people work and chatting with them in breaks helps!
Drugs and stimulants, but be careful. Caffeine of course, lots of blue infused lighting, motivating music. I use nicotine as I seem to have stunted dopamine receptors but would be super careful here if you might be more likely to get addicted and would steer away from anything that has potential, large downsides.