Ask HN: What are some workflows you have developed to stay productive?

Competition helps me, so when I wanted to lose some weight I challenged a friend of mine to a battle who could lose the most % after 3 months. When I wanted to learn OpenGL and c++ I challenged an other friend to who could make the best portfolio project using those tools before a specific moment. Somehow no matter if the other person quits after 2 seconds or battles to the end I can keep my motivation for 2 or 3 months straight with this trick. Finding someone that thinks the same way is only the hard part.

I use an app that tracks the active application and file on the computer, including URLs, open folders, open projects. (not affiliated with them, just a user) https://timingapp.com/

I save articles I find interesting to a personal knowledgebase and read them offline.

I read multiple books at once, sometimes on the same topics. This helps me by always having a book that matches my mood, by always having many books.