Can I just say as a neuroscientist this is not your fault. Basically we think we have control over what we do but this is an illusion. For example you want to work on your project but you never do. So then you feel shame/guilt etc which only makes you more unproductive.

The solution to this is that the mind behaves more like a computer than we think. If you know how to properly interact with it you can make it do whatever you want. Now there is a long list of behavioural psychology focused on productivity but I will start you of with one thing.

Right now create a list it can be on your computer a website like trello.com or on paper it doesn't matter. On it write 6 Things that you can accomplish very quickly in relation to your project.

for example the list could be this.

make a project directory for my project.
download the dataset needed
install required tools for project
write first variable
write first function
Make the first graph
Set the commitment to do just one of these things per day, you don't have to do anymore.

Try adding new goals to your list as you complete old ones.

the goals should be easy to achieve 1 minute - 30 minutes for each.

Pretty soon you will be doing more than just one task.

This method efficiently uses your brains reward system. Doing small clearly defined tasks with low commitment is easy and generally fun to do.

Doing a large complicated project with no clear approach is not fun to do.

There are tonnes of efficiency hacks and every person is different. Good luck.

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