I tend to think all of this is extremely personal and the system is mostly window-dressing. If you are able to focus on work which is engaging and useful (by w

I tend to think all of this is extremely personal and the system is mostly window-dressing. If you are able to focus on work which is engaging and useful (by whatever measure you choose) regularly, over time you will get good results. Different kinds of systems like habit-building, reminders or GTD can help; as can cutting yourself some slack and making room for inspiration to find you without obsessing over productivity. But ultimately you either do things you are proud of or not, and any system or reflection you put on top of amounts to rationalization. If that helps then more power to you, but don't lose sight of the actual work.