During most weekends I find myself sleeping, watching netflix etc. Not that I don't have the motivation to do something productive such as finishing that side project, learning something new etc.. But I just can't execute my plans. So, what do you recommend? How can I make myself more productive during the weekends?
This is called Discipline :)
If you feel like taking a break; watching Netflix, eating chocolate all weekend - go ahead. Nothing is wrong with taking a break.
To break out of that habit is difficult sometimes. No one will do it for you and if you have a list of stuff to do, it'll just get longer, the longer you sit around and do nothing.
Start small and tackle a small task / project. As people that write blog articles say; just start writing. Even if the task is so tiny as to waste your time, just get 1 done. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment and have gotten something done.
I personally like to plan. If it's a big task, I'll try to break it into smaller pieces, either on paper or in mind mind. I try to build up the scenario in my head. If I get it done now, I can relax later, or go out and do X once it's done. Remember Trinity in the first scene of the first Matrix? She had just jumped (flown ?) across buildings, landed on her back, knowing the agent was coming and she says to herself "Get up Trinity. Get up!" Do that. Talk to yourself, convince yourself to do it, and do it.
I couldn't function if I didn't take a lazy day at least once a week. I need it to be eager to start working again.
You can invite a friend to work on a side project with you, even if he doesn't know how to program, only the fact that you will have someone looking at the project that you're doing, will help you to keep motivated.
Feeling unmotivated? On a scale of 1-10, how ready are you to do the thing you should do but are avoiding? For example, you might say you are at a 3. Now verbalize why you didn't choose a smaller number, after all, you could have said 2 or 1. You might say things like, "completing this side project will help me meet my financial goals" or "it will be nice to have this monkey off my back". Say why you're not completely unmotivated to do the work. This should help you feel motivated.
Quentin
Traveller, coder and space enthusiast.
If you have troubles working at home, the best way is to go to your company office ! It really helps to focus and to feel in a productive environment. Another simple trick is to start with one very very simple objective for a few weekends, and then gradually increase the quantity of work you want to achieve. What I personally do and is working very well for me is going out a few hours for a walk in the nature, and then come back and work. It really helps me focus and feel super motivated !
But keep in mind that working on weekend must be a pleasure ! If you really can't it's no use to force yourself you won't be productive !
Wish you the best !