You have many tasks to finish? Starting to feel overwhelmed and tired? Are you playing games instead? Well, you might find these tips useful to battle distraction but still have fun along the way.

#1 The first tip to do when you feel like everything is too much is the: 1% Rule. Working on a big project can be super tiring, and since it’s so big, we can’t seem to see whether we’re making progress or not. The goal seems so far away! Therefore, the 1% rule (James Clear’s 1% Rule, Atomic Habits) is needed. Cut your big goals into short 1% chunks and pursue it every single day. Having a project that is due in two weeks? Well, spend about 15 minutes each day to do research, to write a paragraph and appreciate every single 1% goal you accomplish each day. You will feel more empowered since you can see yourself achieving something great day by day. And by the due date, you’ll make it to 100%!

#2 Secondly, well, there is nothing wrong with playing games, but terms and conditions might apply. I quoted this section from this article:

“Any action can be either a distraction or traction depending on what you intend to do with your time,” he writes. “There’s nothing wrong with scrolling through your Facebook feed, watching YouTube videos, or playing a video game, as long as that’s what you intend to do. Taking a break can be good for you. It’s when you do things unintentionally that you get into trouble.” The trick to being productive is to be purposeful, not haphazard, with how you spend your time.

If you want to play games, make time for it, make sure you have a goal and a limit. We control the games, it’s not the other way around. Playing games should not be something you do unintentionally, without a goal, which is dragging you down and wasting your time. The same goes with studying. Make sure you make time for it and have a goal. Or else, you’ll be reading the same page over and over, not sure what you’re reading, since your mind is somewhere else!

#3 Support yourself. Say it out loud. Giving a positive and specific affirmation to ourselves can boost our motivation. Instead of saying, “I can’t do it. This is impossible”, try saying “I can do three of my “to do” list today, one by one”, “I will complete my Humanities essay today”. 

Start now. Cut your task into sections, make time for the fun and serious work. Don’t forget to support and appreciate yourself for all the good things you will and have done.

(Ms. Thressye)