I have a serious lack of motivation at the moment. Today I have managed two e-mails enquiring about putting adverts for research participants in relevant publications. These two e-mails being just about all I've achieved in about six hours. Maybe I need to try working into the night, rather than trying to keep 9-5 hours. Something has to change, or I'm going to have to get a job.

Hmm. OK, that thought is somewhat motivating...

Seska, do you keep getting distracted or were the emails just that hard to write?

smonster ~ Chronic distraction is the issue, yup. I thought it would take a few days to get back into things, but this is rather rubbish. I'm unusually tired at the moment, even for me, which is probably the issue. Not much to be done about that, though. Except more tea.

Talking of which, it's time for a cuppa.

Talking of which, it's time for a cuppa.

That sounds so British.

Talking of which, it's time for a cuppa.

I'm on my second one. It's not working yet.

That sounds so British.

I'd be quite concerned if I started sounding Australian.

I've just had a disability publication offer me advertising space for my research at a price I can actually afford, which is massively reduced from their general commercial rate. I am astounded and very grateful. The next research project may get off the ground yet.

Yay, Seska! That's great.

That sounds like good news!

Have you ever tried using a timer? *All* my productivity is thanks to using timers. There's a free app called Instant Boss that's really easy to use and it helps keep me focused at work (unless I circumvent it). You can also use a kitchen timer.

Giving myself permission to take breaks and practicing stopping breaks and returning to work is key for me personally. Also helps enormously with housework (yes, I'm kind of a Flybaby, for those of you who know what that is).

...and there goes my timer! Back to work.

(I've already done my allotted 1 hr of Most Dreaded Task today, and of course I'm so into it I don't want to stop)

(My other productivity aid is listening to dharma talks while I work, but I suspect that's less universally applicable)

There's a free app called Instant Boss that's really easy to use and it helps keep me focused at work (unless I circumvent it).

That's an interesting idea. My preferred work style is to get entirely lost in it for several hours, but that's not great for my energy levels. I should try shorter bursts of work. I'll look up this Instant Boss thing. Thanks!

Listening to music (or very familiar TV shows) in the background while I work usually helps, but at the moment it's just making me more distracted. I might have to find something else to have in the background.