I recently saw the movie About A Boy, in which Hugh Grant talks about living within units of time. Something kind of clicked for me, and it's really helped me focus and not...say...randomly get on Reddit.
I've been taking a sabbatical from work, and it is SO easy to waste the day away. I generally followed a daily routine (read non fiction, breakfast, study a language, lunch, practice music/study), but I needed to increase my productivity to begin the transition to finding a job. But I realized that my focus had started dropping.
This is where Units of Time has really helped. Each Unit is 15 minutes. I have been studying Spanish for about 3 Units a day. Calling it a Unit somehow tricks my brain into thinking I can't do anything else. "This isn't the Unstructured (ahem...Reddit) Unit!" And if I'm not feeling it, I only have to do 1 Unit then I can quit.
It's also helped practicing my instrument. I have to practice an hour every day, but I'm allowed to divide the Units throughout the day as I want. Again, really helps with focus. If I need a chop break I just look out the window and wait-no phones during the Oboe Unit.
Admittedly, this evening my brain is tired. It has had basically a focus workout haha, but I'm happy! I've been able to work completely focused, very productive. Hopefully this method can help other people too (though I'm sure someone's already written a whole book on this or something!)