Read Time: ~3 minutes
Yooo! It's Charlie
As a Notion creator and solopreneur, staying productive can be hard.
Being creative on demand, staying motivated, and actually finishing what I start? That’s not easy.
And when you work alone at home, it gets even harder...
I have struggled with distractions and procrastination for as long as I can remember. But with the right mindset, tools, and strategies, I learned how to fight back.
That doesn’t mean I never struggle with it anymore. The battle is always there. But I have figured out how to win more often than I lose—and I think you can too.
Today, I’ll share five simple tips + a system that have helped me beat procrastination and actually get things done.
If you ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated, this will help.
These tips will change how you approach your to-do list, your calendar, and your system. You’ll stay focused, energized, and productive.
Let's begin.
1. Set SMART Goals
The best way to start is by setting clear goals.
Use the SMART method:
- Specific: What do you want to do? Be clear.
- Measurable: How will you know it’s done? Hours? Pages? Words?
- Achievable: Can you do it today? Is it realistic?
- Relevant: Why does this goal matter?
- Time-bound: When will you finish it?
Many people write tasks on their to-do list that will take a year to complete. Stop doing that.
Instead, break big goals down into monthly, weekly, and daily SMART goals.
That’s the first step to beating procrastination.
2. Use Pen and Paper
Yes, put your phone away. Stop using fancy apps.
Your phone is a distraction trap, and we’ll talk about how to fix that later.
For now, let’s keep it simple. Use Ryder Carroll’s Bullet Journal Method.
Here’s how it works:
Every morning, write in a notebook. Any notebook will do.
Use this system:
- (•) for tasks
- (-) for notes and ideas
- (=) for thoughts and feelings
- (o) for meetings or events
When something is done, put an X over it.
This simple method, combined with my Skill Builder System, has helped me stay focused, learn faster, and stop procrastinating.
The key? Write things down and take action.
3. Eliminate Distractions
This is my favorite part—because now, we actually use apps.
But we don’t let apps use us...
When it’s time to do deep work, you need to stay focused and distraction-free.
That’s how you enter flow state—when time flies, and you’re fully locked into what you’re doing.
When I sit down to work, I do five things:
- Do Not Disturb Mode – Only my family can reach me.
- Notifications Off – Except for my calendar. Always.
- Freedom App – Blocks distracting websites and apps on my phone and laptop. If a task gets boring or hard, I’m tempted to check my phone—so this keeps me focused. You can also try OneSec, Opal, or similar apps.
- Pomodoro Timer – I work in 60-90 minute sprints, then take a short break. I prefer 90-minute sessions.
- Essential Oils for Focus – I use eucalyptus in a diffuser to stay sharp. Peppermint or tea tree works too.
I also use the Forest app for Pomodoro sessions. It plants a digital tree while you work and blocks other apps. If you leave the app before time’s up, your tree dies—so it turns focus into a game.
Try to plant as many trees as possible today.
4. Get Organized
This might not be true for everyone, but for me, a messy space = a messy mind.
If my desk is cluttered, I feel anxious and distracted.
So I keep my workspace clean and simple:
- No extra stuff on my desk.
- No junk, snacks, or clutter.
- A clean computer desktop (no random files everywhere).
The fewer distractions in your space, the easier it is to focus.
5. Use Your Calendar Wisely
Beating procrastination is all about having a system:
- Set SMART goals
- Use a simple task system
- Remove distractions
- Stay organized
But the final piece is making sure you do it every day.
That means setting up your calendar for success.
Here’s how:
- Block out 1-2 deep work sessions (4 hours each).
- Protect those time blocks like your life depends on it. No meetings, no interruptions.
- Follow the same routine every day.
If you want to take it even further, try planning your day the night before.
Before bed, write your to-do list in your journal. That way, you wake up knowing exactly what to do—no wasted time making decisions.
Less thinking. More doing.
The Big Takeaway
As you cross tasks off your list, you get closer to your goals.
As you reach your goals, you become more intentional with your time.
When you value your time more, you stop procrastinating—because you realize how much you can achieve when you focus.
And when you stop procrastinating?
You build your dreams. You spend more time with the people you love.
You create a life you actually enjoy.
That’s the goal.
And now, you know how to do it.
Whenever you’re ready, there’s one way I can help you:
If you’re looking for traction in your learning process, learn anything 100x faster, and waste zero time setting up systems, templates, and databases, I’d recommend checking out my Notion System:
→ The Skill Builder OS: An all-in-one operating system for lifelong learners and anyone mastering a skill. Join 200+ lifelong learners who are already using the system.
Along with this, you’ll get access to all future updates for free, and trust me, the OS is only going to get better and better as it grows and Notion releases more updates.
And no, there’s no subscription fee, membership, or ongoing payments of any kind.
Pay once, use forever, lifetime access.
>>> Click here to access Skill Builder OS
Keep learning,
— Charlie
