6. Choose a low-stress appointment time.

For most of us, our mental energy is at its highest in the morning.

As the day goes on, you'll feel more fatigued and so you are more likely to make bad decisions. Do the hardest thing on your list in the morning, and you will be less likely to crack under pressure later on.

Decide whether you’re more likely to stick with it in the morning or lunchtime or evening, and stick with that time. 

If you don’t set a time, you’re more likely to put it off until you have more time or energy, and then put it off until the next day. Soon, it’s not a habit at all.

Always add 25% to your time estimate to get anywhere or do any task. If you think it takes 30 minutes to get to work, give yourself 40 (technically, 37 1/2, but let’s not be ridiculous here!). If you need 12 working hours to finish a proposal, give yourself 15. The worst thing that could happen i...