Productivity and Tips for Developers(based on research by a fellow newbie)

Hey Everyone!!!

My name is Atharva and I am a high school student, interested in the world of development. This blog is a part of the " Productivity" track of WeMakeDevs Blogs. In this blog, I will be sharing how I truly understood productivity as a student, some facts about productivity and tips on how to be more productive. I will be providing multiple links and media(photos/videos) of the research I have done regarding this topic so that the readers get to know how they can implement the techniques.

Let's Begin !!!

What is Productivity?

Productivity: the state or quality of producing something, typically in a manner that is efficient and well-organized.

As students, productivity is key to our success. We are constantly juggling assignments, projects, and exams, all while trying to stay on top of the latest technologies and programming languages. So, how do we stay productive and make the most of our time?

In this blog, we'll explore the meaning of productivity, some tips and do's and don'ts for programmers, and real-world examples of how to stay productive as a computer science student.

Productivity is about getting things done, but it's not just about working harder or longer hours. It's about working smarter, not harder. It's about setting clear goals, managing your time effectively, and staying focused on what's important.

"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort."

-Paul J. Meyer.

So, how do we stay productive as computer science students?

Here are some tips and dos and don'ts to help you stay on track:

Dos:

💻 Set clear goals for yourself: What do you want to accomplish? What is your end goal? To begin with, to be productive as a student and programmer, it is important to establish specific and well-defined objectives. Identify what you want to accomplish, whether it's completing a particular project, excelling in an exam or mastering a new programming language. Having a clear idea of your goals will aid in keeping you motivated and focused.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOfl2sbgPhk

📚 Break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks : Once you have identified your objectives, it's crucial to divide them into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will facilitate your ability to focus on one task at a time, and enable you to make steady progress towards your goals.
🎉 Prioritize your tasks: Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency.

    > "The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!"
    > 
    > \- Marvin Phillips

    *By following these six steps of the Ivy Lee Method, you will be able to stay focused on the most important tasks and make steady progress towards your goals.*

    %[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9xZvAmEQIY] 

    ## Why Does This Method Work?

    The method being discussed is straightforward and effective. It can be argued that it doesn't account for unexpected events. However, the author believes that complexity can be a weakness and it is better to focus on a simple set of priorities. Unexpected interruptions should be handled quickly and not allowed to derail the overall plan. The strategy is to use basic guidelines to navigate more complex situations. The method requires making difficult decisions, and while the specific number of tasks per day may not be significant, the concept of setting limits is beneficial. The key is to eliminate non-essential tasks and focus on what is truly important. Imposing constraints can improve performance.

🔥 Use a planner or calendar: Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. This will help you stay organized and on top of your work.
💡 Take regular breaks: Productivity is not about working non-stop, it's about working sustainably. Take regular breaks to rest your mind and body and avoid burnout. Your brain is like any other muscle in your body it needs to take rests for it to perform to its full potential.
🤩 Take care of yourself physically and mentally: Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. A healthy body and mind will help you stay focused, motivated, and energized.
📷 Use time management techniques: Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Get a to-do list and a timer.
Set your timer for 25 minutes, and focus on a single task until the timer rings.
When your session ends, mark off one Pomodoro and record what you completed.
Then enjoy a five-minute break.
After four pomodoros, take a longer, more restorative 15-30 minute break.
Form New and Beneficial Hobbies: To utilise my free time and avoid wasting it on social media or other forms of attention-craving passaging of time, I decided to start small-scale design templates/banners on Canva. Using this skill, I create blog posters myself. Now I know it ain't much, but it is surely something to cheer about. For example, the cover for this very blog is created by me on Canva :
Using Background Music: Listening to Lofi music can help to create a more productive environment by enhancing concentration, improving mood, increasing creativity, and creating a sense of routine. However, it's important to note that different people have different preferences, so it's best to find the type of music that works best for you and your work style. Using Lofi background music can help increase productivity in several ways.

DON'Ts:

Avoid multitasking: Multitasking is a myth, and it can decrease productivity. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention. The human brain is not designed to multitask effectively. Additionally, multitasking can lead to errors, mistakes, and a lack of focus. It can also be detrimental to your mental and physical health, leading to increased stress and burnout.
Avoid procrastination: Procrastination should be avoided because it can lead to a decrease in productivity and an increase in stress. When we put things off until later, we often find ourselves running out of time, which can lead to rushed and subpar work. Additionally, procrastination can lead to a cycle of negative thoughts and feelings, such as guilt and self-doubt.
Avoid getting bogged down in details: Keep your focus on the big picture.
Get sidetracked by social media or other distractions: Technology can be a double-edged sword when it comes to productivity. While it can increase efficiency and make it easier to complete tasks, it can also be a major distraction. Stay focused on your goals.

A Special Poem I Would Like To Highlight :

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is often interpreted as a metaphor for decision-making and the choices we make in life. The speaker in the poem comes across a fork in the road and must choose which path to take. The road less travelled represents the choice of taking the path that is not the most common or easy, but rather the one that is true to oneself and one's goals.

In terms of productivity and avoiding procrastination, the poem can be interpreted as a reminder that the choices we make have a significant impact on our lives. The speaker in the poem chooses the road less travelled and implies that this choice has led to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Similarly, when it comes to productivity and avoiding procrastination, choosing to work towards our goals, rather than procrastinating, can lead to a sense of fulfilment and success.

The poem also has a message of not fearing the unknown, as the speaker chooses the road less travelled despite not knowing where it leads. This can be applied to productivity as it may encourage us to take action, even if we are uncertain of the outcome because it is through taking action that we can achieve our goals.

Additionally, the poem also encourages us to not regret the choices we make, as the speaker in the poem says "And that has made all the difference" which implies that even if the choice was not the easiest or the most convenient, it was still the right one. This can be applied to productivity as it may remind us that even if we make mistakes or face obstacles, it is important to keep moving forward and not dwell on regrets.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, productivity is a key aspect of success for students. By setting clear and specific goals, breaking them down into smaller tasks, using time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique and Ivy Lee Method , and avoiding multitasking and procrastination, developers can increase their productivity and achieve better results. Additionally, using tools such as lofi background music , and taking care of their mental and physical well-being can help to create a more conducive environment for productivity. It's important to remember that productivity is not just about working harder but working smarter, by focusing on the most important tasks and utilizing techniques such as Time Blocking and tools that work best for you. Remember that productivity is a journey, not a destination, and it requires consistent effort and self-reflection to maintain.

Stay determined, stay focused and keep pushing forward !!!