1. Which do I struggle with most of all? The pilot, the plane, or the engineer? In what (specific) way?

I struggle the most with being the plane, as I Get side tracked or "lose motivation". I can also lose focus or make excuses for why I can't do anything, even if I try to plan out my tasks for the day.

2. What am I avoiding with the phrase "I don't have time?"

I am trying to avoid the anxiety of "What if I'm not good at this, what if this doesn't make sense?" As well as putting it off due to anxiety about the future.

3. What's a goal I want to achieve? How can I make the process more pleasurable? Can I up my odds of hitting the goal by putting money on the line? How can I make the outcomes more tangible and desirable?

I would love to learn enough German to be conversational in two years. I could make it more pleasurable by having some soothing background music so it's not just a quiet room. I can also play word games with a German friend of mine or using it as a reward system. If I hit x task, then I can get a treat or build up points to reward myself with something bigger.

In order to make it more tangible and desirable, I'm using a reward system and I may print out photos to have at my workspace, showing the places I'd love to visit. I do think I could try putting money on the line as a way to motivate myself, but I would rather not just in case something were to happen in my daily life that would interfere (i.e. a family emergency).

4. What's one (or more) situation(s) when I was in my 'flow state'? What circumstances and mindsets led to that? Can I manufacture these conditions for other stuff I need/want to do?

There are several situations where I'm so focused on what I'm doing that I get into the flow state. I generally go into a quiet room, put on some music (no lyrics) and make myself work. I ignore any notifications and just get working, plus I try to take neat notes. I think the process of taking neat digital notes makes me really focus when I start to lose focus.

5. Make a list of 3-4 long-term tasks you want to do . What would you do if you only had half as long to do them? What about if you had to do them in the next 24 hours?

My goals are:

1. learn German

2. Be fluent in Korean

3. Get my Network+ certification.

If I had half as long to do them, I would turn down social events and just focus everyday after work, or listen to podcasts while at work for the listening comprehension in Korean and German. If I had 24 hours, I would probably take the day off of work (if it was a weekday) and focus every minute I had on at least one of the goals, the Network+ certification.

6. What 20% of my work is driving 80% of my 'useful output'? What's taking up 80% of my time but not actually contributing much to my outcomes?

My focusing on the language learning (which has been sporadic) has been driving 80% of my useful output. The rest of the time, I've been on social media, gaming, watching random YouTube videos, etc.

8. What 3 things would boost my productivity if I made them a habit? How can I help those habits sticks?

Instead of sitting down the moment I get home, I could exercise as soon as I get home, dropping off my stuff and going out for a run, walking the dogs right away, or riding my bike.

Another thing I could do is immediately clear up my desk to study, using the organizing of my space to motivate me to study.

A third thing that would boost my productivity is to use the empty spaces of my time. I will sit there and be bored, which leads to me browsing social media or watching YouTube videos. If I were to take that time and study, then it would boost my productivity immensely.

9. What are some chunks of the day in which I find myself wasting time in ways I'd rather not? What useful (small) things could I do with that time instead?

There are times like when I'm washing dishes or washing my clothes where I just sit there watching YouTube videos or listening to random songs. I could use those times to listen to language learning podcasts or even listen to an audiobook, so I can read books more frequently.

10. What items on my bucket task list can I procrastinate my way to progress on? How so?

I could work on learning how to sew as a way to procrastinate my way to progress. I want to be able to make dog clothes as a side hobby and if I were to procrastinate by sewing, it would allow me to improve my skills. I could also do this with crocheting, knitting, or drawing. Or I could use it to read books, there are a lot of things I could do.

11. What do I have to do in my days that I'm currently not enjoying? If I had to, how would I make this stuff more fun?

Studying for the certification exams are boring and dry, so I can make it more fun by rewarding myself with a little snack for a certain amount of time I work, plus maybe I'll study by using YouTube videos that explain the concepts, rather than only reading the book.

Jamie Kim

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