- knowing _exactly_ what I want to achieve, no exceptions (this doesn't include the how part but only the what part)
- repeatedly playing the same music for hours, closing out every noise that makes me think about anything else but the task
- not engaging in any other activities on the computer I'm working on before I start working because I find myself going back to those activities from time to time which is a huge distraction
- last but not least a bottle of water or a cup of tea