
Deep Productivity
- 965 installs
- 1 repo stars
- Updated July 31, 2026
- hexbee/hello-skills
deep-productivity is an agent skill that designs a sustainable daily deep-work system with Building, Maintenance, and Recovery blocks for developers who need structured focus time.
About
deep-productivity is a hello-skills agent workflow for sustainable deep work aimed at builders who default to shallow busywork. Its default prompt designs a system around three blocks—Building, Maintenance, and Recovery—with a practical weekly plan and lever tasks, anchored on roughly one hour of daily deep work. The skill explains how the Default Mode Network supports creative planning during unfocused periods, then translates that into actionable schedules. Developers reach for deep-productivity when burnout, context switching, or unclear priorities erode output on long-running projects. It produces a concrete weekly rhythm rather than generic motivation tips.
- Designs a complete deep productivity system using Building, Maintenance, and Recovery phases
- Delivers a practical weekly plan with specific lever tasks
- Incorporates Default Mode Network science for creative insight and memory consolidation
- Creates sustainable 1-hour daily deep work habit instead of burnout-prone grinding
- Produces both system design and concrete weekly schedule
Deep Productivity by the numbers
- 965 all-time installs (skills.sh)
- +5 installs in the week ending Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
- Ranked #510 of 3,282 Productivity & Planning skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
- Security screen: LOW risk (skills.sh audit)
- Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
npx skills add https://github.com/hexbee/hello-skills --skill deep-productivityAdd your badge
Show developers this skill is listed on Skillselion. Paste this into your README.
| Installs | 965 |
|---|---|
| repo stars | ★ 1 |
| Security audit | 3 / 3 scanners passed |
| Last updated | July 31, 2026 |
| Repository | hexbee/hello-skills ↗ |
How do you structure sustainable daily deep work?
Design a sustainable daily deep-work system built around focused building blocks, maintenance, and recovery periods.
Who is it for?
Software engineers juggling long-running projects who need a repeatable deep-work schedule with explicit recovery and maintenance periods.
Skip if: Teams needing sprint planning tooling, OKR frameworks, or technical task estimation inside issue trackers.
When should I use this skill?
A developer asks for a deep productivity system, sustainable focus habits, or a weekly plan with building and recovery blocks.
What you get
A weekly deep-work schedule, lever-task list, and Building-Maintenance-Recovery time blocks tuned for sustained engineering output.
By the numbers
- Default workflow targets 1 hour of daily deep work
- Organizes schedules into 3 blocks: Building, Maintenance, and Recovery
Files
Deep Productivity Mastery
Transform your life with just 1 hour/day of focused building work. This skill applies the three types of work framework—Building, Maintenance, and Recovery—to help you create meaningful progress toward your goals.
When to Use This Skill
- User wants to build something meaningful (business, creative work, personal project)
- User struggles with focus, distractions, or unclear priorities
- User has limited time (1 hour/day) and wants to maximize impact
- User feels stuck in "doing mode" without real progress
- User wants to design a sustainable productivity system
Core Framework: Three Types of Work
Before diving into workflows, understand the three types of work:
1. Building - Intense bursts of deep work to bring a project to life (products, services, brands, skills) 2. Maintenance - Consistent, often repetitive work to keep what you built alive (marketing, customer service, operations) 3. Recovery - Rest, leisure, and lack of narrow focused stress that allows breakthrough ideas to form
Your goal: Build for 1 hour/day until you can pursue your vision full-time. Then transition to maintenance work.
Workflow: The 90-Day Deep Work Transformation
Follow this sequence to establish a sustainable deep work practice:
Step 1: Diagnose Your Current State
Assess where you are on the focus spectrum:
| State | Symptoms | Root Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Distracted | Multiple programs running, attention split | Lack of clarity |
| Anxious | Overwhelmed by goals, paralyzed | Challenge >> Skill |
| Bored | Repetitive work, self-centered thoughts | Challenge << Skill |
| Flow | Challenge ≈ Skill, time flies | Optimal state |
Key insight: Humans can process ~50 bits of conscious info/second. Every distraction reduces your potential. You have ~125 billion bits total in a lifetime—use them wisely.
Step 2: Create Vision & Anti-Vision
Vision: Your ideal future (be specific, even if it seems irrational) Anti-Vision: What you don't want, where you'll end up without change
Exercise (15 minutes):
1. Write out everything you DON'T want in your life—feel the discomfort 2. Write out your ideal future—be petty, think big, ignore "rational" limits 3. List all distractions standing between you and that future 4. Identify people, apps, activities to temporarily remove
Rule: Success is less about discipline and more about removing distractions that make discipline difficult.
Step 3: Build Your Goal Hierarchy
Create a clear mental frame you can tap into anytime:
10-Year Goal → Where you want to be
↓
1-Year Goal → Milestone to reach this year
↓
1-Month Goal → What you must achieve this month
↓
1-Week Goal → Actionable tasks this week
↓
Lever-Moving Tasks → Daily 1-3 priorities that move the needleExample:
- 10-Year: Build a global digital education company
- 1-Year: Launch MVP and get 1000 paid subscribers
- 1-Month: Create minimum viable course product
- 1-Week: Record 3 video lessons, set up payment system
- Daily: Record 1 lesson (30 min), promote on social (30 min)
Step 4: Apply Project-Based Learning
Principle: Learn by building, not by consuming tutorials.
Why tutorials fail: Endless consumption creates endless options and overwhelm. Most information goes to waste because you can't apply it.
How to use project-based learning:
1. Choose something to build that moves the needle toward your vision 2. Brain dump everything you know about it 3. Save 3-5 sources to emulate—study their structure 4. Outline into sections, milestones, knowledge gaps 5. Start building with what you know 6. Let the project expose gaps—search for answers as needed
A project can be anything: Your health, a business, a skill, a creative work. A project is simply a structured way to achieve a goal.
Step 5: Design Your 1-Hour Deep Work Protocol
Structure your daily deep work block using the clarity-importance-urgency framework:
Before the session (2 min):
- Review today's lever-moving task (from hierarchy)
- Ask: "If I could only do one thing today, what would it be?"
During the session (50 min):
- Single-task on that one thing
- If blocked, break into smaller sub-goals
- Apply challenge ≈ skill: if anxious, simplify; if bored, increase challenge
After the session (8 min):
- Journal what you accomplished
- Identify the next micro-step
- Note any ideas that emerged ( Default Mode Network will generate insights during rest)
Optimal timing: Morning, after filling your mind with education/ideas, before emptying with planning.
Step 6: Balance Work with Recovery
Critical: Your best ideas come during rest, not during work.
Daily structure (the routine of successful creatives):
- Morning: Creation, output, focus (deep work block)
- Afternoon: Learning, ideas, socialization (fill your mind)
- Evening: Journaling, planning, meditation (empty your mind)
Recovery activities (not escapism):
- Walking (especially without phone)
- Reading fiction or philosophy
- Daydreaming, imagining futures
- Meaningful conversation
- Solitude without distractions
The Default Mode Network: When you stop focusing externally, your brain connects regions for visual thinking and creativity. This is where breakthrough ideas emerge.
Decision Tree: What to Work On
What stage are you in?
├─ Pre-foundation (no clear vision)
│ └─ Focus: Vision & Anti-Vision exercise (Step 2)
│
├─ Foundation (vision set, no project)
│ └─ Focus: Goal hierarchy + First project definition (Steps 3-4)
│
├─ Building (active project in progress)
│ └─ Focus: Daily 1-hour protocol + Lever-moving tasks (Steps 5)
│
└─ Maintenance (project generating value)
└─ Focus: Systematizing, delegating, starting next projectQuick Reference: The Deep Work Checklist
Before starting each session, confirm:
- [ ] I know exactly what one task I'm working on
- [ ] The challenge is just above my current skill level
- [ ] I understand WHY this matters to my future
- [ ] Distractions are removed (phone, tabs, notifications)
- [ ] I have a hard stop time (60 or 90 minutes max)
After each session, confirm:
- [ ] I made measurable progress on my project
- [ ] I identified the next micro-step
- [ ] I captured any ideas that emerged
- [ ] I'm transitioning to recovery (not maintenance work)
Embracing Uncertainty
Expect to feel lost, overwhelmed, and like you don't know what you're doing. This is normal and signals growth.
- Uncertainty is signal, not noise
- Your brain filters reality based on what you're obsessed with
- Invest in your portfolio of failures until you can afford to succeed
- The "certain" life is the least rewarding
Key insight: Neurons that fire together, wire together. Being extreme about your goals accelerates neuroplasticity.
Resources
references/
focus-types.md- Detailed breakdown of Building, Maintenance, Recoveryflow-formula.md- The challenge ≈ skill equation explaineddefault-mode-network.md- How recovery generates creative insights
scripts/
assess_focus.py- Diagnose current focus stategenerate_hierarchy.py- Create goal hierarchy from vision statementtrack_levers.py- Track lever-moving tasks and progress
interface:
display_name: "Deep Productivity"
short_description: "Build sustainable deep work with 1 hour daily"
default_prompt: "Design a deep productivity system for me using Building, Maintenance, and Recovery, with a practical weekly plan and lever tasks."
The Default Mode Network: Your Creative Engine
What Is the Default Mode Network (DMN)?
The Default Mode Network is a collection of brain regions that activate when you're NOT focused on external tasks. It includes:
- Medial prefrontal cortex: Self-referential thinking, planning
- Posterior cingulate cortex: Memory retrieval, imagination
- Lateral temporal cortex: Understanding others' perspectives
- Hippocampus: Memory consolidation
- Inferior parietal lobule: Visual-spatial processing
Key insight: The DMN uses nearly as much energy as focused attention. Your brain is working hard during rest—perhaps harder than during focused work.
What the DMN Does
1. Connects Disparate Ideas
When you stop forcing focus, your brain freely associates between seemingly unrelated concepts. This is where:
- Creative insights emerge
- Solutions to stuck problems appear
- Novel combinations form
- "Aha moments" happen
2. Processes Recent Experiences
During DMN activation, your brain:
- Consolidates memories from the day
- Integrates new learning with existing knowledge
- Prunes unnecessary neural connections
- Strengthens important pathways
3. Imagines Future Scenarios
The DMN is essentially a simulation engine:
- Visualizing goals and outcomes
- Planning alternative paths
- Testing scenarios mentally
- Preparing for future challenges
Why Most People Miss This
Problem 1: Fear of Boredom
Modern life is designed to never be boring:
- Phones always available
- Infinite content to consume
- Constant connectivity
When boredom threatens, we reach for our phones. This prevents DMN activation.
Problem 2: Equating Rest with Entertainment
Recovery is NOT:
- Watching Netflix
- Scrolling social media
- Playing video games
- Consuming content
These are focused attention activities that prevent the mind from wandering.
True recovery = lack of narrow focused stress = DMN activation.
Problem 3: Guilt About Not Being "Productive"
Western work culture has convinced us that rest is wasted time. Successful creatives understand the opposite: rest is when the real work happens.
How to Activate Your DMN
1. Walking
The classic method:
- No phone
- No podcast
- No music
- Just walking and thinking
Duration: 15-60 minutes Best locations: Parks, nature, quiet streets What happens: After 10-15 minutes, ideas start surfacing. Capture them after.
2. Showering
Why it works:
- Monotonous task allows mind to wander
- Warm water is relaxing
- No external input
- Private space for thinking
Tip: Keep a waterproof notebook nearby or use voice memos.
3. Driving (Passenger)
Best practice:
- Sit in the back seat
- Look out the window
- Let someone else drive
- Daydream freely
Avoid: Driving yourself (requires attention), podcasts, calls.
4. Before Sleep
Evening routine:
- Dim lights, reduce screen time
- Journal briefly about the day
- Let mind wander as you fall asleep
- Keep notebook nearby for middle-of-night insights
Warning: Don't force it. Let go of the need to solve problems.
5. Solitude
Daily dose: At least 30 minutes alone with no input.
Activities:
- Sitting in a cafe alone
- Sitting in a park
- Meditating (no focus, just allowing)
- Daydreaming in bed before sleeping
The Creative's Daily Schedule
Optimal Pattern (From Ancient Greeks to Modern Visionaries)
MORNING (Building):
- Deep work on primary project
- 1-4 hour focused block
- High cognitive output
MIDDAY (Fill + Light Work):
- Learning and education
- Social connection
- Light maintenance tasks
AFTERNOON (Recovery + DMN):
- Walking
- Reading fiction
- Daydreaming
- Solitude
EVENING (Empty):
- Journaling
- Planning
- Meditation
- Early sleepWhat This Looks Like Practically
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 6-9 AM | Deep work session | Building |
| 9-10 AM | Breakfast + news | Transition |
| 10-12 PM | Learning, creation | Fill mind |
| 12-2 PM | Lunch + walk | DMN activation |
| 2-4 PM | Afternoon work | Building/Maintenance |
| 4-6 PM | Exercise + outdoor | DMN activation |
| Evening | Reading, family | Recovery |
| 9 PM | Journaling | Empty mind |
The Walk Protocol
Most successful creatives swear by walking:
1. Before work: 20-minute walk to generate ideas for the day's work 2. During work breaks: 5-10 minute walks when stuck 3. After work: 30-minute walk to process the day and generate tomorrow's ideas
Steve Jobs: Long walks around the neighborhood for product discussions. Charles Darwin: Two daily walks on his "Thinking Path." Aristotle: Teaching while walking (The Peripatetic School).
Capturing DMN Insights
The insights emerge during rest but disappear quickly. Capture them:
Methods
1. Voice memos: Speak ideas into phone 2. Pocket notebook: Pen and paper always available 3. Phone notes: Quick as it gets 4. Wristband: Tie a string around wrist as reminder
The Capture Ritual
After any recovery period: 1. Pause what you're doing 2. Review recent thoughts 3. Record anything that feels significant 4. Don't judge quality—just capture
Later filtering: Some ideas will seem stupid. Some will be gold. You won't know until you review.
Scientific Evidence
Studies Show
- Harvard study: Walking increases creative output by 60%
- Stanford study: Walking improves divergent thinking
- MRI studies: DMN activates during rest, connects brain regions
- Memory studies: Sleep and rest consolidate learning
The Research Consensus
1. Rest is not passive—brain activity increases 2. Creative solutions come from rest, not from focused effort 3. The best thinkers protect recovery time fiercely 4. Busyness kills creativity
The Recovery Mindset Shift
Before
"Rest is the opposite of work." "I'm wasting time if I'm not being productive." "I should feel guilty for not working."
After
"Rest is when my best work is generated." "My recovery time is my creative time." "I protect rest like I protect my best working hours."
Common Obstacles
"I Can't Turn Off My Mind"
Solution: The DMN doesn't require stopping thoughts. It requires stopping external focus. Your mind will naturally wander if you give it the chance.
"I'm Too Busy for Rest"
Reality: You're too busy NOT resting. When you protect recovery time, you work more efficiently during building time.
"I Feel Guilty"
Reframe: Your most productive hours may be when you're not "working." Think of recovery as strategic investment.
"I Get Bored"
Good: Boredom is the doorway to creativity. Push through the initial discomfort. The ideas will come.
Summary
- The Default Mode Network is your brain's creative engine
- It activates during rest, not during focused work
- Walking, showering, and solitude activate the DMN
- Capture insights immediately—they disappear fast
- Protect recovery time as seriously as work time
- The most successful creatives understand this paradox
The Flow Formula: Challenge ≈ Skill
The Core Equation
Flow state—the optimal experience where time disappears and performance peaks—occurs when:
Challenge Level ≈ Skill LevelThis simple equation has profound implications for productivity.
The Four Quadrants
LOW SKILL HIGH SKILL
┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
HIGH │ ANXIETY │ │ FLOW │
CHALLENGE│ (overwhelmed)│ │(peak performance)│
└──────────┘ └──────────┘
┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
LOW │ BOREDOM │ │ RELAXED │
CHALLENGE│ (under-challenged)││(mastery zone)│
└──────────┘ └──────────┘Understanding Each State
Anxiety (Challenge >> Skill)
Symptoms:
- Feeling overwhelmed before starting
- Negative self-talk ("I'm not good enough")
- Paralysis or avoidance
- Focus turning inward to self-doubt
- Physical tension and stress
What it means: The goal is too far ahead. You're trying to fight a level-100 boss as a level-1 character.
Solution: Break the challenge into smaller sub-goals until challenge ≈ skill.
Boredom (Challenge << Skill)
Symptoms:
- Restlessness and fidgeting
- Thinking about other things
- Self-centered thoughts ("What should I be doing instead?")
- Difficulty maintaining focus
- Desire for stimulation
What it means: The task is too easy. You're not being challenged enough to engage.
Solution: Increase the challenge. Add complexity, speed, or higher standards.
Relaxed (Low Challenge, High Skill)
Symptoms:
- Task feels easy but not engaging
- No sense of growth
- Comfortable but unstimulated
- Time passes but no flow
What it means: You've mastered this level. Time to move up.
Solution: Find a higher challenge that stretches your current abilities.
Flow (Challenge ≈ Skill)
Symptoms:
- Complete absorption in the task
- Time seeming to fly or stop
- Intrinsic enjoyment of the process
- Clear feedback on performance
- Sense of effortless performance
What it means: You're in the optimal zone for growth and performance.
Solution: Sustain this state. Document what conditions created it.
Applying the Formula
Before Starting a Task
Ask yourself: 1. What challenge level is this task? 2. What is my current skill level? 3. Is there a match?
If not, adjust either:
- Simplify the task (reduce challenge)
- Prepare more (increase skill)
- Add constraints (increase challenge appropriately)
During a Task
Watch for state changes:
| Signal | State | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tension, negative thoughts | Anxiety | Break into smaller pieces |
| Restlessness, wandering mind | Boredom | Add challenge or deadline |
| Effortless, absorbed | Flow | Protect and extend |
| Easy but disengaged | Relaxed | Increase stakes |
After a Task
Reflect:
- What was my challenge level?
- What was my skill level?
- Did challenge ≈ skill?
- What adjustments would improve the match?
Practical Examples
Writing an Article
| Skill Level | Challenge Level | State | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner writer | New York Times style | Anxiety | Write a simpler piece first |
| Beginner writer | Personal blog post | Flow | Challenge accepted |
| Experienced writer | Blog post | Boredom | Write a book chapter instead |
| Experienced writer | Pulitzer-level essay | Anxiety | Take a writing course first |
Learning a Skill
| Skill Level | Challenge Level | State | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Python | Build a startup | Anxiety | Start with "Hello World" |
| Week 1 Python | Calculator app | Flow | Good challenge level |
| Month 6 Python | Calculator app | Boredom | Build a web app instead |
| Year 3 Python | Build AI startup | Flow | Push yourself |
Designing Flow Tasks
The 15% Rule
To enter flow, increase challenge just 15% above current skill:
New Challenge = Current Skill × 1.15This is small enough to not trigger anxiety, but large enough to prevent boredom.
Flow Design Template
Current Skill Level: [Rate 1-10]
Desired Outcome: [What you want to accomplish]
Challenge Assessment:
- Too easy elements: [ ]
- Too hard elements: [ ]
- Just right elements: [ ]
Adjustment Plan:
- Simplify: [ ]
- Add complexity: [ ]
- New target challenge: [ ]
Flow Probability: ___ / 10The Video Game Analogy
Video games are designed around flow, which is why they're so engaging:
1. Clear goals: Defeat the dragon, reach the next level 2. Immediate feedback: Health bar, score, progress 3. Appropriate challenge: Enemies scale with your level 4. Visible progress: XP bars, level-ups, new abilities
Apply this to your work:
- Define clear, specific goals
- Create feedback mechanisms (track progress daily)
- Start with manageable challenges
- Celebrate small wins
Common Mistakes
Setting Challenge Too High
Many people set goals that are 5-10x their current ability, then wonder why they can't start.
Fix: Work backward from your goal to find the smallest next step.
Staying in Comfort Zone
People avoid anxiety by staying in the relaxed/boredom zone.
Fix: Deliberately add challenge. Set artificial deadlines. Compete with yourself.
Ignoring the Formula
Assuming motivation is the problem when it's actually a challenge-skill mismatch.
Fix: Diagnose first. Are you anxious? Bored? Adjust accordingly.
Summary
- Flow = Challenge ≈ Skill
- Anxiety = Challenge >> Skill (break it down)
- Boredom = Challenge << Skill (raise the bar)
- Check your state before, during, and after tasks
- Design tasks to hit the flow zone
The Three Types of Work: Deep Dive
1. Building Work
Definition: Intense, focused effort to create something new that didn't exist before.
Characteristics:
- High cognitive load
- Deep concentration required
- Produce tangible results (product, service, content, skill)
- Typically 1-4 hour blocks max (cognitive fatigue sets in)
Examples:
- Writing a book or course
- Building a software product
- Creating art or music
- Developing a business strategy
- Learning a complex skill (coding, language, instrument)
Energy Pattern: Peaks in morning, declines after lunch. Reserve your best hours for building.
Duration Guideline: 1-4 hours max per session. Quality over quantity.
2. Maintenance Work
Definition: Consistent, often repetitive work that keeps what you built alive and functioning.
Characteristics:
- Lower cognitive load
- Can be systematized and automated
- Necessary but doesn't create new value
- Can be delegated or batched
Examples:
- Marketing and promotion
- Customer service and support
- Financial tracking and reporting
- Content distribution
- Email and communication
- Routine updates and maintenance
Energy Pattern: Can be done during lower-energy periods. Good for afternoon slumps.
Duration Guideline: Batch into dedicated time blocks. Don't spread throughout day.
3. Recovery Work
Definition: Subconscious processing time that allows integration, creativity, and future insight generation.
Characteristics:
- No focused task
- Mind wanders freely
- Insights emerge unexpectedly
- Essential for long-term creative capacity
Examples:
- Walking (without phone)
- Daydreaming
- Reading for pleasure
- Meditation
- Showering
- Commuting mindfully
- Napping
The Paradox: Your brain uses nearly as much energy during recovery as during focused work. The Default Mode Network activates, connecting disparate ideas. This is where breakthrough insights emerge.
Duration Guideline: Throughout the day, not just evenings. 5-15 minute micro-recoveries are effective.
Balancing the Three
The Creative's Daily Structure
| Time | Type | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Building | Deep work on primary project |
| Mid-day | Building/Maintenance | Continue building or handle maintenance |
| Afternoon | Recovery | Walk, read, socialize |
| Evening | Recovery/Fill | Learning, planning, journaling |
Warning Signs of Imbalance
Too much building:
- Creative exhaustion
- Burnout
- Inability to generate new ideas
- Cynicism about your work
Too much maintenance:
- Feeling stuck
- Lack of forward progress
- Boredom and restlessness
- Sense that you're not building anything meaningful
Too little recovery:
- Inability to solve problems
- Diminished creativity
- Anxiety and overwhelm
- Poor decision making
Practical Application
For the 1-Hour-A-Day Practitioner
If you only have 1 hour:
100% → Building (your vision, your project)
0% → Maintenance (avoid until absolutely necessary)
0% → Recovery (integrate into daily activities)After 90 days of consistent building, reassess:
- Has the project reached a milestone?
- Can you reduce other obligations?
- Is maintenance now necessary?
For the Transitioning Professional
If building your project full-time:
60% → Building (continue creating)
20% → Maintenance (systematize and delegate)
20% → Recovery (protect this fiercely)The Lever-Moving Principle
Within building work, identify what actually moves the needle:
| Task Type | Example | Lever-Moving? |
|---|---|---|
| Deep work | Writing chapter 5 | Yes |
| Learning | Watching tutorial 47 | No |
| Marketing | Posting on social | Sometimes |
| Admin | Checking email | No |
| Creation | Recording video lesson | Yes |
| Consumption | Reading industry news | No |
Rule: After 2 weeks of effort, you should see noticeable progress. If not, you're not moving the right levers.
Summary
- Building creates new value—protect this time fiercely
- Maintenance sustains but doesn't grow—systematize and minimize
- Recovery generates insights—embrace, don't escape
The most successful creatives protect their recovery time because they know it's where their best work originates.
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Focus State Assessment Tool
Diagnose current focus state based on the Challenge ≈ Skill framework.
Helps identify whether user is in Anxiety, Boredom, Flow, or Relaxed state.
"""
import sys
def get_challenge_rating():
"""Get challenge level rating from user (1-10)"""
while True:
try:
print("\nOn a scale of 1-10, how challenging is your current main task?")
print("(1 = trivial, 10 = completely overwhelming)")
rating = int(input("> "))
if 1 <= rating <= 10:
return rating
print("Please enter a number between 1 and 10.")
except ValueError:
print("Please enter a valid number.")
def get_skill_rating():
"""Get skill level rating from user (1-10)"""
while True:
try:
print("\nOn a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your current skill level for this task?")
print("(1 = complete beginner, 10 = world-class expert)")
rating = int(input("> "))
if 1 <= rating <= 10:
return rating
print("Please enter a number between 1 and 10.")
except ValueError:
print("Please enter a valid number.")
def get_symptoms():
"""Gather symptoms to confirm assessment"""
print("\nWhich symptoms are you experiencing? (select all that apply)")
symptoms = {
"overwhelmed": False,
"negative_self_talk": False,
"paralysis": False,
"restlessness": False,
"wandering_mind": False,
"time_flies": False,
"complete_absorption": False,
"effortless_performance": False,
"boredom": False,
"frustration": False,
}
symptom_list = list(symptoms.keys())
for i, symptom in enumerate(symptom_list, 1):
print(f"{i}. {symptom.replace('_', ' ').title()}")
print("\nEnter numbers separated by commas (e.g., 1,3,5), or press Enter for none:")
try:
response = input("> ").strip()
if response:
indices = [int(x.strip()) for x in response.split(",")]
for idx in indices:
if 1 <= idx <= len(symptom_list):
symptom = symptom_list[idx - 1]
symptoms[symptom] = True
except ValueError:
pass
return symptoms
def analyze_state(challenge, skill, symptoms):
"""Analyze the focus state based on inputs"""
gap = challenge - skill
states = {
"anxiety": {
"name": "ANXIETY",
"condition": challenge > skill + 1,
"indicators": ["overwhelmed", "negative_self_talk", "paralysis", "frustration"],
"message": "Your challenge level exceeds your skill level. You're attempting a level-100 boss as a level-1 character.",
},
"boredom": {
"name": "BOREDOM",
"condition": skill > challenge + 1,
"indicators": ["restlessness", "wandering_mind", "boredom"],
"message": "Your skill level exceeds the challenge. The task is too easy and isn't stretching you.",
},
"flow": {
"name": "FLOW",
"condition": abs(gap) <= 1,
"indicators": ["time_flies", "complete_absorption", "effortless_performance"],
"message": "Challenge and skill are well-matched. You're in the optimal zone for performance and growth.",
},
"relaxed": {
"name": "RELAXED",
"condition": False, # This is a catch-all, handled separately
"indicators": [],
"message": "You've mastered this level. It's comfortable but not challenging.",
},
}
# Determine primary state
if states["anxiety"]["condition"]:
state = "anxiety"
elif states["boredom"]["condition"]:
state = "boredom"
elif states["flow"]["condition"]:
state = "flow"
else:
state = "relaxed"
return state, states[state]
def get_recommendations(state, challenge, skill):
"""Get recommendations for the identified state"""
recommendations = {
"anxiety": [
f"Break your task into smaller sub-goals (current challenge: {challenge}, skill: {skill})",
"Focus only on the very next micro-step, not the entire project",
"Set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to just 15 minutes of work",
"Study foundational skills before continuing",
"Accept that feeling overwhelmed means you're growing—lean into it",
],
"boredom": [
f"Increase the challenge (current skill: {skill} is too high for challenge: {challenge})",
"Add a deadline or time constraint",
"Raise your standards—aim higher than you initially planned",
"Take on a stretch project that scares you slightly",
"Compete with yourself or others",
],
"flow": [
"Protect this state—document what conditions created it",
"Extend your session if energy allows (max 4 hours)",
"Take a short break every 60-90 minutes to maintain quality",
"Capture any insights that emerge—they're valuable",
"You're in the zone—keep building",
],
"relaxed": [
"You've mastered this level—time to move up",
"Find a stretch goal that genuinely challenges you",
"Review your 10-year vision and raise your targets",
"Consider taking on a mentorship or teaching role",
],
}
return recommendations[state]
def main():
print("=" * 60)
print("FOCUS STATE ASSESSMENT TOOL")
print("Based on the Challenge ≈ Skill Framework")
print("=" * 60)
challenge = get_challenge_rating()
skill = get_skill_rating()
symptoms = get_symptoms()
state, state_info = analyze_state(challenge, skill, symptoms)
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print(f"ASSESSMENT: {state_info['name']}")
print("=" * 60)
print(f"\n{state_info['message']}")
print(f"\nChallenge Level: {challenge}/10")
print(f"Skill Level: {skill}/10")
print(f"Gap: {abs(challenge - skill)}")
print("\n" + "-" * 60)
print("RECOMMENDATIONS:")
print("-" * 60)
recommendations = get_recommendations(state, challenge, skill)
for i, rec in enumerate(recommendations, 1):
print(f"{i}. {rec}")
print("\n" + "-" * 60)
print("DEEP WORK CHECKLIST:")
print("-" * 60)
checklist = [
"I know exactly what one task I'm working on",
"The challenge is just above my current skill level",
"I understand WHY this matters to my future",
"Distractions are removed (phone, tabs, notifications)",
"I have a hard stop time (60 or 90 minutes max)",
]
for item in checklist:
print(f"[ ] {item}")
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Goal Hierarchy Generator
Creates a 10-year → 1-year → 1-month → 1-week → daily goal hierarchy
from user's vision statement and anti-vision.
"""
import sys
def get_anti_vision():
"""Gather anti-vision (what user doesn't want)"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("ANTI-VISION EXERCISE")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nWrite out what you DON'T want in your life.")
print("Be specific. Feel the discomfort. Don't stop until you feel it.\n")
print("Consider these areas:")
print("- Career/Work: What job or work situation would be terrible?")
print("- Relationships: What kind of connections drain you?")
print("- Health: What would your body look like if you neglected it?")
print("- finances: What would financial stress look like for you?")
print("- Daily life: What would a typical day look like that you hate?")
print("\nType your anti-vision (press Enter twice when done, or 'skip' to move on):")
lines = []
while True:
try:
line = input()
if line.lower() == 'skip':
break
if line == '' and lines:
break
lines.append(line)
except EOFError:
break
return '\n'.join(lines)
def get_vision():
"""Gather vision (what user wants)"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("VISION EXERCISE")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nWrite out your ideal future. Be petty. Think big.")
print("Ignore what's 'rational.' If friends/family think you can't do it, even better.\n")
print("Consider these areas:")
print("- Career: What work would you do for free?")
print("- Impact: What problem would you solve for millions of people?")
print("- Lifestyle: Where do you live? How do you spend your days?")
print("- Relationships: Who surrounds you? What connections do you have?")
print("- Health: How does your body feel? What can you do?")
print("- finances: What does abundance look like for you?")
print("- Legacy: What would you be remembered for?")
print("\nType your vision (press Enter twice when done, or 'skip' to move on):")
lines = []
while True:
try:
line = input()
if line.lower() == 'skip':
break
if line == '' and lines:
break
lines.append(line)
except EOFError:
break
return '\n'.join(lines)
def get_distractions():
"""Gather distractions standing between user and their vision"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("DISTRACTIONS AUDIT")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nWhat stands between you and your vision?\n")
print("People: Who drains your energy or holds you back?")
print("Activities: What do you do that doesn't serve your vision?")
print("Apps/Consumption: What content do you consume that doesn't help?")
print("Habits: What patterns repeat that you want to change?")
print("Commitments: What are you saying yes to that you should no?")
print("\nType your distractions (press Enter twice when done, or 'skip' to move on):")
lines = []
while True:
try:
line = input()
if line.lower() == 'skip':
break
if line == '' and lines:
break
lines.append(line)
except EOFError:
break
return '\n'.join(lines)
def generate_10_year():
"""Generate 10-year goal from vision"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("10-YEAR GOAL")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nBased on your vision, what is your 10-year destination?")
print("Think big. This is your north star.\n")
print("Example: 'I will be the founder of a global education company")
print(" impacting 10 million students annually.'")
goal = input("Your 10-year goal: ")
return goal
def generate_1_year(ten_year):
"""Generate 1-year goal from 10-year goal"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("1-YEAR GOAL")
print("=" * 60)
print(f"\nYour 10-year goal: {ten_year}")
print("\nWhat milestone must you achieve in 1 year to stay on track?")
print("Be specific and measurable.\n")
print("Example: 'I will launch my MVP and acquire 1,000 paid subscribers'")
goal = input("Your 1-year goal: ")
return goal
def generate_1_month(one_year):
"""Generate 1-month goal from 1-year goal"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("1-MONTH GOAL")
print("=" * 60)
print(f"\nYour 1-year goal: {one_year}")
print("\nWhat must you accomplish this month to stay on track?")
print("This should be a concrete deliverable.\n")
print("Example: 'I will create the minimum viable course product with 5 lessons'")
goal = input("Your 1-month goal: ")
return goal
def generate_1_week(one_month):
"""Generate 1-week goal from 1-month goal"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("1-WEEK GOAL")
print("=" * 60)
print(f"\nYour 1-month goal: {one_month}")
print("\nWhat specific actions will you take this week?")
print("Break it down into tangible tasks.\n")
print("Example: 'Record 3 video lessons and set up the payment system'")
goal = input("Your 1-week goal: ")
return goal
def generate_daily(week):
"""Generate daily lever-moving tasks from 1-week goal"""
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("DAILY LEVER-MOVING TASKS")
print("=" * 60)
print(f"\nYour 1-week goal: {week}")
print("\nWhat is ONE task you can do today that moves the needle?")
print("If you could only do ONE thing today, what would it be?\n")
print("Format: [Task] ([time duration])")
task = input("Today's lever-moving task: ")
return task
def generate_hierarchy():
"""Generate complete goal hierarchy"""
print("=" * 60)
print("GOAL HIERARCHY GENERATOR")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nThis tool helps you build a clear mental frame for your goals.")
print("It creates a hierarchy: 10-year → 1-year → 1-month → 1-week → daily")
# Get foundations
anti_vision = get_anti_vision()
vision = get_vision()
distractions = get_distractions()
# Generate hierarchy
ten_year = generate_10_year()
one_year = generate_1_year(ten_year)
one_month = generate_1_month(one_year)
one_week = generate_1_week(one_month)
daily = generate_daily(one_week)
# Output hierarchy
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("YOUR GOAL HIERARCHY")
print("=" * 60)
hierarchy = {
"10-Year Goal": ten_year,
"1-Year Goal": one_year,
"1-Month Goal": one_month,
"1-Week Goal": one_week,
"Today's Lever-Moving Task": daily,
}
for level, goal in hierarchy.items():
print(f"\n{level}:")
print(f" {goal}")
print("\n" + "-" * 60)
print("THE HIERARCHY:")
print("-" * 60)
print("""
10-Year Goal → Where you want to be
↓
1-Year Goal → Milestone to reach this year
↓
1-Month Goal → What you must achieve this month
↓
1-Week Goal → Actionable tasks this week
↓
Lever-Moving Tasks → Daily 1-3 priorities that move the needle
""")
print("-" * 60)
print("USAGE:")
print("-" * 60)
print("""
DAILY PROTOCOL:
1. Each morning, review your hierarchy
2. Identify ONE lever-moving task for today
3. Work on that for 60 minutes (no multitasking)
4. At day's end, identify tomorrow's task
5. Weekly, assess progress against 1-week goal
6. Monthly, assess progress against 1-month goal
7. Annually, reassess and adjust all goals
""")
# Store for potential export
return hierarchy
def export_to_file(hierarchy):
"""Export hierarchy to a file"""
filename = "goal_hierarchy.md"
with open(filename, 'w') as f:
f.write("# My Goal Hierarchy\n\n")
f.write("## Anti-Vision\n")
f.write(hierarchy.get('anti_vision', 'Not defined') + "\n\n")
f.write("## Vision\n")
f.write(hierarchy.get('vision', 'Not defined') + "\n\n")
f.write("## Distractions to Remove\n")
f.write(hierarchy.get('distractions', 'Not defined') + "\n\n")
f.write("---\n\n")
f.write("## Goals\n\n")
for level, goal in hierarchy.items():
if level not in ['anti_vision', 'vision', 'distractions']:
f.write(f"### {level}\n{goal}\n\n")
print(f"\nHierarchy exported to {filename}")
def main():
hierarchy = generate_hierarchy()
# Ask about export
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
export = input("Export to goal_hierarchy.md? (y/n): ")
if export.lower() == 'y':
# Add foundations to hierarchy for export
anti_vision = get_anti_vision()
vision = get_vision()
distractions = get_distractions()
hierarchy['anti_vision'] = anti_vision
hierarchy['vision'] = vision
hierarchy['distractions'] = distractions
export_to_file(hierarchy)
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Lever-Moving Task Tracker
Track daily progress on lever-moving tasks and assess whether
you're actually moving toward your goals.
"""
import json
import os
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
class LeverTracker:
def __init__(self, data_file="lever_tracking.json"):
self.data_file = data_file
self.data = self.load_data()
def load_data(self):
"""Load tracking data from file"""
if os.path.exists(self.data_file):
try:
with open(self.data_file, 'r') as f:
return json.load(f)
except (json.JSONDecodeError, FileNotFoundError):
return {"tasks": [], "projects": [], "logs": []}
return {"tasks": [], "projects": [], "logs": []}
def save_data(self):
"""Save tracking data to file"""
with open(self.data_file, 'w') as f:
json.dump(self.data, f, indent=2, default=str)
def add_project(self, name, ten_year_goal):
"""Add a project with its alignment to 10-year goal"""
project = {
"id": len(self.data["projects"]) + 1,
"name": name,
"ten_year_goal": ten_year_goal,
"created": datetime.now().isoformat(),
"status": "active",
"milestones": []
}
self.data["projects"].append(project)
self.save_data()
return project
def add_milestone(self, project_id, one_year, one_month, one_week):
"""Add milestones to a project"""
for project in self.data["projects"]:
if project["id"] == project_id:
project["milestones"] = {
"one_year": one_year,
"one_month": one_month,
"one_week": one_week
}
self.save_data()
return True
return False
def log_daily_task(self, project_id, task, duration_minutes, completed=True, notes=""):
"""Log a daily lever-moving task"""
log_entry = {
"id": len(self.data["logs"]) + 1,
"project_id": project_id,
"date": datetime.now().isoformat(),
"task": task,
"duration_minutes": duration_minutes,
"completed": completed,
"notes": notes
}
self.data["logs"].append(log_entry)
self.save_data()
return log_entry
def get_project_progress(self, project_id):
"""Calculate progress on a project"""
project_logs = [l for l in self.data["logs"] if l["project_id"] == project_id]
completed_tasks = [l for l in project_logs if l["completed"]]
total_minutes = sum(l["duration_minutes"] for l in project_logs)
completed_minutes = sum(l["duration_minutes"] for l in completed_tasks)
return {
"total_tasks": len(project_logs),
"completed_tasks": len(completed_tasks),
"total_minutes": total_minutes,
"completed_minutes": completed_minutes,
"completion_rate": len(completed_tasks) / len(project_logs) * 100 if project_logs else 0
}
def check_lever_moving(self, project_id, weeks=2):
"""Check if lever-moving tasks are actually moving the needle"""
cutoff = datetime.now() - timedelta(weeks=weeks)
recent_logs = [l for l in self.data["logs"]
if l["project_id"] == project_id
and datetime.fromisoformat(l["date"]) > cutoff]
if not recent_logs:
return {
"status": "no_activity",
"message": "No activity in the past 2 weeks",
"recommendation": "Start your daily 1-hour protocol immediately"
}
progress = self.get_project_progress(project_id)
if progress["completion_rate"] < 50:
return {
"status": "low_engagement",
"message": f"Only {progress['completion_rate']:.0f}% completion rate",
"recommendation": "Review your goal hierarchy—are you working on the right levers?"
}
if progress["total_minutes"] < 60 * 14: # 1 hour/day for 2 weeks
return {
"status": "insufficient_time",
"message": f"Only {progress['total_minutes']/60:.1f} hours logged",
"recommendation": "You need 1 hour/day minimum. Protect your time."
}
return {
"status": "on_track",
"message": f"Good progress: {progress['completed_tasks']} tasks completed",
"recommendation": "Keep going—you're moving the right levers"
}
def weekly_review(self, project_id):
"""Generate weekly review summary"""
progress = self.get_project_progress(project_id)
lever_status = self.check_lever_moving(project_id)
review = {
"date": datetime.now().isoformat(),
"tasks_completed": progress["completed_tasks"],
"total_hours": progress["completed_minutes"] / 60,
"completion_rate": progress["completion_rate"],
"lever_status": lever_status["status"]
}
return review
def main():
tracker = LeverTracker()
print("=" * 60)
print("LEVER-MOVING TASK TRACKER")
print("=" * 60)
print("\nOptions:")
print("1. Log daily task")
print("2. View project progress")
print("3. Check if you're moving the right levers")
print("4. Weekly review")
print("5. Add new project")
print("q. Quit")
choice = input("\n> ")
if choice == "1":
print("\nLogging a daily task...")
project_id = int(input("Project ID: "))
task = input("Task description: ")
duration = int(input("Duration (minutes): "))
completed_input = input("Completed? (y/n): ")
completed = completed_input.lower() == 'y'
notes = input("Notes (optional): ")
log = tracker.log_daily_task(project_id, task, duration, completed, notes)
print(f"\nLogged: {task} ({duration} min) - {'Done' if completed else 'Not done'}")
elif choice == "2":
print("\nProject Progress:")
for p in tracker.data["projects"]:
if p["status"] == "active":
prog = tracker.get_project_progress(p["id"])
print(f"\n{p['name']} (ID: {p['id']})")
print(f" Tasks: {prog['completed_tasks']}/{prog['total_tasks']} completed")
print(f" Hours: {prog['completed_minutes']/60:.1f}")
print(f" Rate: {prog['completion_rate']:.0f}%")
elif choice == "3":
project_id = int(input("Project ID to check: "))
status = tracker.check_lever_moving(project_id)
print(f"\nStatus: {status['status'].upper()}")
print(f"Message: {status['message']}")
print(f"Recommendation: {status['recommendation']}")
elif choice == "4":
project_id = int(input("Project ID for weekly review: "))
review = tracker.weekly_review(project_id)
print(f"\nWeekly Review for Project {project_id}:")
print(f" Tasks Completed: {review['tasks_completed']}")
print(f" Total Hours: {review['total_hours']:.1f}")
print(f" Completion Rate: {review['completion_rate']:.0f}%")
print(f" Lever Status: {review['lever_status']}")
elif choice == "5":
print("\nAdding new project...")
name = input("Project name: ")
ten_year = input("10-year goal alignment: ")
project = tracker.add_project(name, ten_year)
print(f"\nCreated project: {name} (ID: {project['id']})")
elif choice.lower() == "q":
return
else:
print("Invalid choice")
tracker.save_data()
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
Related skills
FAQ
What blocks does deep-productivity use?
deep-productivity organizes time into Building, Maintenance, and Recovery blocks. The default workflow targets about one hour of daily deep work plus a practical weekly plan with lever tasks.
Is deep-productivity a coding skill?
deep-productivity is a productivity planning skill for developers, not a code generator. It designs focus schedules and weekly execution rhythms to sustain long-horizon software work.
Is Deep Productivity safe to install?
skills.sh reports 3 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.