A big part of programming is to make sure your code is organized, and for someone who thrives in chaos, it can be a struggle. One thing I've learned over the years of being a developer was that I needed to be in that ready mode, otherwise I just don't start and the whole day will fly by without a line of code.

So I took the time to build habits — from waking up to when I start working. I need the structure, but it can't be forced on me, because that triggers my rebelliousness. Yet, without structure, I wouldn't be able to go about my work at all, let alone think about the efficiency/productivity. This means I'd have to come up with the structure that works for me.

Hence the goal of my little research project was to figure a structure for work, because my current job has a flexible schedule.

The Process

1. Time Audit

I observe how I spend my time, up until a specific time, so I don't feel anxious when I think about the whole day. This means I'll take note of what I do from the moment I wake up until I sit in front of the laptop and start working.

Things to observe:

• wake-up time
• energy levels after each activity
• mindset during each activity

2. Activity Audit

Next was understanding what I did throughout my morning routine, and why I do them.

• Were they useful for me / work?
• Was it necessary to do it at that particular time?
• Can I do it faster?
• How can I make it seem less of a drag?
• Is it occasional or daily?

3. Sequencing

So this step involves playing around with the sequence of the activities. Some of the things I also think about were:

• How can I make it easier?
• How does it make sense to transition from A or to C?

I don't spend too long on this step. I would switch it up every other day if it doesn't work until something clicks, and then I keep it at that point in the sequence.

Another thing I prefer doing is to make things fun while I wait. I need the adrenaline rush, the pressure of not enough time, even if it was artificial.

An example would be when I'm heating the milk in the microwave, I make a little game to wash n plates while racing against the microwave timer. I don't stress out on not being able to do it at all. I think A LOT about that Tumblr story about “anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed”, and that's something I live by.

Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed.

4. Cues / Triggers

This is the last one, which I didn't realize until I read Atomic Habits and thought more about it.

I needed cues to help me move on from one activity to another. This is what ties my sequence together. In between each activity, I think of what small thing I can do that will remind me to move on to the next.

My biggest cue for “work time” is when I put on my athleisure-wear and tie my hair. That's it. Then I get out of my bedroom and into the study area, and start the next set of activities.

That's how I figured out how to make my structure work for me. How did you figure out yours?