a tip for getting down to work
I'm working on an undergraduate thesis, and I find one thing that helps me settle down to work is to re-read my thesis proposal before I start reading, writing, or researching. Sort of like an academic Lord's Prayer. It reminds me of the specific parameters of my thesis, both the things I'm tackling that day, as well as the stuff I'll be getting to later on. It helps me from feeling lost or overwhelmed or uninspired, and helps me find a point of entry into that day's work.