5 Tips to Stay Focused and Get Things Done (Plus a Bonus That Stops Procrastination)

Focus isn’t about locking yourself in a room until the work is done. It’s about building the right habits, structuring your time, and creating an environment where getting things done feels natural, not forced.

I learned about this superpower when I took up a web application project that every other developer estimated would take at least 12 months. I delivered it in six.

Sounds impressive, right? Well, yes and no. In that case, I was a little excessive. Unless you own the startup, I wouldn’t recommend going to extremes. For that project, my schedule was ruthless, my breaks were strategic, and my focus was laser-sharp. Once complete, I quickly learned that keeping that workflow is not sustainable long-term.

Nevertheless, that work process made me realize that with realistic goals and a habit-forming work system, you can achieve a lot more than you think and still be happy doing it.

These five tips (plus a bonus) are the backbone of how I get things done today,  sustainably, consistently, and without losing sight of the bigger picture.

1. Work in Short, Focused Sprints (Pomodoro Technique)

Francesco Cirillo’s Pomodoro Technique is one of the simplest and most effective productivity methods I’ve ever used. Over the years, I’ve adapted it to fit my own workflow.

This is my current setup — the result of years of building focus stamina — so I wouldn’t recommend starting here. Instead, begin with the beginner-friendly setup I share next. 

• I Work for 45 minutes, set a timer and do not stop. If I’m interrupted, by a phone call, a knock at the door, or a stray thought, I reset the timer.
• Take a 5-minute break, stretch, grab a quick snack, bathroom break, etc.
• After two 45-minute sessions, I take a 15–30-minute break.  I’ll often use this time to switch tasks, check email, have lunch, or relax.
• Repeat as needed.

My Recommendation for Beginners

If you’re new to the Pomodoro Technique, start small and build up your focus times gradually.

• Work for 5–15 minutes (set a timer).
• Take a 5-minute break.
• After four sessions, take a 15–30-minute break.

When I first started, I clearly remember struggling to make it through even five minutes without an interruption. That’s normal. The key is to reset the timer every time you break focus, no cheating, and keep trying.

You’ll notice your focus time increasing naturally. Today, I can do 90-minute laser-focus sessions without blinking, but 45 minutes remains my sweet spot. It’s long enough to make meaningful progress, but short enough to give my mind and body a reset. You’ll find your sweet spot by sticking with it.

Why It Works
The Pomodoro Technique trains your ability to stay focused. The more you practice, the more natural those deep-focus sessions become, even during tough or boring tasks. And because you know the timer will eventually run out, you’re more likely to give each block your full attention.

Tools & Tips to Try

• Analog timer: Sometimes the tick of a kitchen timer is more motivating than a digital screen.
• Apps: Pomodor, Forest, or any dedicated Pomodoro timer app.
• Digital timer on your wrist or desktop for easy tracking.
• Silence notifications: Keep only urgent family calls/texts on; send everything else to voicemail.
• Keep the timer visible and always reset it if you lose focus.
• Create a distraction-free space: Find a quiet spot and remove temptations.
• Set clear objectives: Know exactly what you’re working on in each session. For bigger goals, break them into smaller, actionable steps.
• Never skip breaks: Use them for stretching, meditation, relaxation, or creativity, even staring out the window works.

“You can do anything for 25 minutes. The trick is starting.” — Adapted from Atomic Habits 

2. Write Down Your Daily Must-Dos

David Allen’s Getting Things Done principle is clear: Your brain is for having ideas, not holding them. Each morning, I write down three to five must-do items for the day.

This isn’t a Wishlist. It’s a commitment list.

If nothing else gets done today but these, it’s a good day.

When I was on the six-month project, my “must-do” list was always a mix of high-priority tasks and smaller, low-effort wins that gave me momentum early in the day.

Tips for making it work:

• Keep the list short because too many “musts” dilute the focus
• Write it and refer to it regularly during your day.
• Cross off completed items, visual progress fuels motivation

Tools to try:

• Todoist. Simple daily task tracking
• Notion . If you want to integrate your tasks, notes, and project docs
• Pen + notebook. I’m old school, so this remains my unbeatable method for speed and zero distractions.

“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” — David Allen, Getting Things Done 

Enjoying the journey so far?
If you like deep dives into creative chaos, productivity under pressure, and nerdy lessons from real-life experiments, subscribe to get future posts delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe Now 

3. Use External Deadlines (But Be Realistic)

When motivation lags, nothing beats the pressure of a real-world commitment. I’ve set up meetings with clients, promised a delivery date to a stakeholder, or even casually mentioned a deadline in conversation, all to force myself to finish.

During my web app build, I scheduled regular demo calls with the client. Even if the feature wasn’t perfect, the meeting kept me on track and prevented me from losing focus.

Why it works: External deadlines add accountability beyond your own willpower.

Caution: Over-commitment will backfire. Set deadlines that are ambitious but achievable.

Tools to try:

• Calendar  Whether it’s Google, Microsoft, Apple, or a paper planner, the key is to schedule deadlines as non-movable appointments.
• Trello, Monday or any other project tracking app with milestones and progress tracking.
• Accountability buddy. Your better half, a friend, or colleague who will check in on you. 

4. Block “Me Time” Around Work Sessions

One reason people burn out is that they treat breaks as just doing a lighter version of the same work. When I’m coding, for example, my breaks involve activities completely unrelated to code.

In between work blocks, I’ll write, read, or work on a completely different task. This mental switch lets me return to the main task refreshed instead of drained. For example, when I was working on my six-month project, I blocked breaks for completely unrelated creative work. Ironically, some of my best coding breakthroughs happened right after writing a paragraph in my novel.

Tip: Schedule breaks into your calendar so they’re non-negotiable. If you truly enjoy it, it’s not wasted time, no matter the action. 

5. Take Care of the Machine (You)

No productivity hack works if your body and brain are running on fumes.

My non-negotiables:

• Sleep: 7–8 hours. No excuses
• Hydration: Keep water within reach.
• Fuel: Eat brain-friendly foods. Nuts, berries, lean protein.
• Movement: Stretch or walk often to avoid energy slumps

I always make sure to stretch, keep snacks nearby, and set a hard cutoff for late-night coding.

Tips to try:

• Set movement triggers. Stand up every time you finish a Pomodoro session or a phone call.
• Prep snacks in advance . Keep a small container of nuts or fruit at your desk to avoid reaching for junk food.
• Drink water before coffee. Starting the day hydrated keeps your energy steadier.
• Desk stretches. Shoulder rolls, neck stretches, and wrist rotations can be done in under a minute.
• Get sunlight.  Step outside for a few minutes during breaks to reset your mood and focus.

Bonus: Turn Procrastination into a Signal

Procrastination isn’t laziness.  it’s data.
In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield describes procrastination as “Resistance”. It's an invisible force that shows up whenever we try to do meaningful work. It’s not about being lazy,  it’s a signal that we’re bumping up against something important, challenging, or uncomfortable. When we learn to read, we can turn procrastination into a compass pointing toward the work that matters most.

When it hits, I ask:

• Is it too big?  Break your task into smaller pieces
• Am I bored?  Shorten my Pomodoro intervals.
• Do I want to do something else more?  Jot it down and schedule it for after I’m done

By reframing procrastination as a sign instead of a failure, I can fix the cause and get back on track faster.

Conclusion
The six-month web app project taught me this: productivity isn’t about working 16-hour days. It’s about combining realistic goals, focused work blocks, and healthy self-management into a system that fits your life.

Push when you need to, rest when you can, and never confuse busy with productivity.

With the right habits in place, you can achieve more in less time, and enjoy the process.

Stay curious, stay focused, stay kind.

Subscribe
If you like deep dives into creative chaos, productivity under pressure, and nerdy lessons from real-life experiments, subscribe to get future posts delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe Now