26 THE HACKER

I will prioritise what is important to me.

Many computers surround her, from which emanate the only light in the room. Working faster than any human, she switches from screen to brain-machine interface, bypassing firewalls and implanting malware simultaneously. Keeping her mind nimble, she bounces from problem to problem, solving them in record time. Words flash up on the screen: ACCESS GRANTED. She smiles. Nothing can keep her locked out for long.

Decrypting transdimensional data is all in a day's work for the Hacker. But how does she solve so many complex problems without getting overwhelmed? She stays focused, prioritising her time by working on what's most important to her first. We all have those crazy-busy times when we feel overwhelmed and don't have time to think. Sometimes we even forget what we were working towards in the first place! Next time you're inundated with things to do, remember to take time for yourself to prioritise what's truly important to you. Your mind will be clear, and you'll have the confidence to break into the galaxy's most impenetrable quantum computer mainframe!

If you get stuck on something you’re working on and worry about it taking too much time, try switching between projects. This can keep your mind fresh, and you can come back to your first problem with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Make sure you have enough breaks and downtime; you’ll end up being more productive if you do!