Productivity

I’ve seen some of the most creative methods for getting a desired result from parents.  I’ve also seen the opposite from parents, but that’s for a different day.  I’ve decided to condition myself using some of these methods as well.  As the days go on in Florida, my motivation for anything seems to have dwindled.  Although I still get things done, I do so with spite and disinterest.  Yes, I know…, that’s just a part of growing up.  However, I like being happy while I do things.  Call me crazy.  Anyway, I thought to myself, “Self, how will you motivate your kids to do their chores when you become a mom?”  My answer?  A “chore” reward chart.  Mine looks like this:

Task	Reward
Dishes (wash and put away)	2 minutes on tumblr
Clean off kitchen counter	2 minutes on facebook
Set up coffee pot	Cup of coffee (okay, this one was kind of silly)
Sweep and spot mop	2 minutes on the NaNoWriMo forum
Dust	1 cup of tea
Pledge furniture	1 can of Zero Carb Red Bull
Get something ready to be turned in to Critique Group	Upgrade the Red Bull to a sugar free
Write
1k of progress	Cupcake
2k of progress	Dessert with dinner
3k of progress	1 episode of “How I Met Your Mother”
4k of progress	1 episode of “Firefly”
5k of progress	Movie Nite (fill popcorn bucket)
6k of progress	Game Nite with Jake
Blog Post	30 minutes of reading

Most of the tasks weren’t really chores but writing goals that I need to accomplish.  I allowed myself less than 10 minutes of INTERNET time, hoping that would get me to be more productive.  Most of my rewards have to do with caffeine, which makes me happy and more productive.

I do this type of thing every day but I do it subconsciously.  "If I can write just one more page, I'll take a tumblr break."  However, seeing it on paper, reminds me of my goals and what I want to really achieve today.  It makes it seem more real.  What are your productivity techniques?  What do you do to keep yourself motivated?