The Great Productivity Struggle: Why I Keep Getting Distracted and How I’m Fixing It

Originally posted on February 21, 2025, from my previous blog. A relatable deep dive into how I let distractions derail my productivity and how I’m now rebuilding habits to regain focus, one step at a time.

You ever sit down, ready to get to work, and the next thing you know, you’ve somehow spent four hours on X (formerly known as Twitter) arguing about a TV show you don’t even watch? No? Just me? Cool.

I like to think of myself as a productive person. I make schedules, I set goals, I tell myself this is the week I get my life together! And yet, if my last couple of weeks have taught me anything, it’s this: having a plan means nothing if I don’t actually stick to it.

Where It Went Off the Rails

So here’s what happened. I started the month strong.

• Work? Done.
• School? Staying on top of it.
• Keto? Meal prepping like a champ.

But then somewhere around mid-month, things shifted.

• Instead of working, I was scrolling.
• Instead of studying, I was deep-diving into random internet rabbit holes.
• Instead of meal prepping, I was staring at my fridge like it was going to whisper dinner ideas to me.

The worst part? I wasn’t even having fun. I was just… wasting time. And then feeling bad about it.

Why Did This Happen?

Here’s my theory: I was chasing instant gratification.

• School and work take effort. My brain has to, you know, think.
• But scrolling? Doomscrolling? Chatting on X or Discord? It’s easy.
• It gives my brain quick little dopamine hits without requiring any real effort.
• Before I know it, I’ve wasted the entire day and have nothing to show for it except some mildly amusing memes.

The Wake-Up Call

The moment I really got it was when I looked at my time tracking.

• Fun and entertainment had completely taken over my schedule.
• Meanwhile, work and school—y’know, the things that actually matter—were taking a backseat.
• No wonder I felt like I wasn’t making progress.

What I’m Doing Differently

I’m not about to give you some life-changing productivity hack, because let’s be real, I’m still figuring it out. But here’s what I am trying:

• Limiting social media to one hour a day. No more getting lost in the void.
• Starting my day with work and school first. Fun comes after I finish what actually matters.
• Setting a minimum goal for focus. Even if I don’t feel like studying, I have to do at least 30 minutes. Even if I don’t feel like working, I have to knock out a few tasks.
• Planning my next day before bed. So I don’t wake up aimlessly scrolling first thing in the morning.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Motivation, It’s About Habits

I’ve realized that motivation isn’t the problem. I want to be productive. I want to get things done. But I have to stop relying on motivation to get me there. It’s about making good habits automatic.

So that’s the goal. Less mindless scrolling. More intentional focus. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally get my schedule under control.

If you’ve ever struggled with distractions (which, let’s be honest, you probably have), what’s helped you stay on track?