Recently I have come to the same conclusion.

When I think about what should I not do, I only focus my mind on it. But if I need to get rid of something, the goal is to stop doing it and stop thinking about it. The best solution would be to forget it competely -- I often don't know how to get there, but "remind myself periodically that I should not do this" seems wrong. Also I am creative in my procrastination. Should I do less X? Sure, but I will find some new Y to do instead.

By measuring what needs to be done, my attention is drawn to things that need to be done. The reminding is probably more useful than measuring. I am not sure about it, but it seems to me that it could be useful to just make a diary for each project, where every day you have to write what have you done about the project. (No excuses allowed. If you didn't do anything, just write "Nothing", but you are not allowed to explain why.) This could be useful at least for projects that are difficult to quantify. Put the diaries on your table, so they are the first thing you see when you wake up, and when do come home from work; and don't put them away until you have wrote today's line. Also if you self-report useful work done, you cannot cheat by "forgetting".

And when all the useful work is done, and there is some time left, you deserve to spend it in the most pleasant way.