I feel your struggle. I used to be almost addicted to reading self-help books, blogs, watching videos where I would learn the "secret techniques" that others swore by. What I learned is that many of these don't work for me. One major thing that I've learned about my own productivity and time management from my own experiences is that it is almost NEVER the tasks themselves or what you are doing.

What I see as the goal here is to find the methods that match your reasons, philosophy, and mindset that work best for you. Many of the practices I do aren't in those books.

Make your own system! Even if other people aren't doing the same thing, it's okay because they aren't living your life. Only recently have I passed up all nighters and trying to do everything now. All time management is based on urgent/non urgent, important/non important. In my reality, I have it divided into the amount of mental focus required. Do the brainless things first if you want momentum. Or save them for last, when you don't want evening headaches.

As long as you are trying in the way that works for you, you begin to realize that most of "the race" is in our own minds!

A lot of it is counter-intuitive, but resting when you are tired is one of the best things you can do for yourself. To me, everything else is less important. I can't do anything if I'm exhausted ♡