You could read a ton of excellent books on productivity but in the end what did you accomplish by reading them?
Probably not too much...
Truth to be told the secret behind peak productivity is fairly simple.
1. Choose something which is really important (linked to a project you work on)
2. Put all of your focus solely on this task (best if you do this until it's done)
3. Rinse and repeat (pick something else, get it done)
Obviously there is the spice on these things. Taking breaks, doing something healthy.
But if something is THAT simple what may hold crowds from ever completing anything?
To put it bluntly: FEAR
Some of the fears that get in the way of executive the productivity steps above: fear of failure, uncertainty, incompetence, discomfort, not having control control.
Why you say?
Fear takes away control, feel of security, vision you put into the project. We hate feeling free so we are running from situations which make us experience it. We run from productive but uncertain tasks.
Here is My PRODUCTIVITY HACK
1. Set one important task. Any time you realize you are doing some busy work, avoiding the task take a step back and set one important task.
2. Do that one task until it is done. Even if you can't finish it try to squeeze out 10-15 minutes of productive time intervals. These should be uninterrupted.
3. Any time you notice yourself doing the busy work just stop. Take a look around. Note the feeling of uncertainty and breathe.
4. Describe the feeling. What are the characteristics of this uncertainty. Familiarize yourself with it and note that it doesn't pose any harm to you. Learn that you are OK despite this feeling.
5. Now submerge into the task again knowing that you are experiencing this feeling but it is completely okay. Still focus on doing your important task.
You can be aware of your fear without acting on it.