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I found pomodoros help control the impulse to visit HN (or twitter, news, etc). If it's non-negotiable that you must chip away at your task, even if it's a case

by grrowl 9y ago

I found pomodoros help control the impulse to visit HN (or twitter, news, etc). If it's non-negotiable that you must chip away at your task, even if it's a case of "don't know what's next" -> do supporting tasks until it becomes clear. By the 25-minute mark I'm much more likely to continue into the next pomodoro, and if not there's no problem taking time out without guilt.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
terminalcommand 9y ago
The problem I found with sticking to using Pomodoros or longer periods (90 minutes) per work is that they work for a short while. After a couple of days or max. a few weeks I plunge back into my old self. Using self-discipline techniques help in the short term, but in the long term I find them harmful. Because after a while of dedication, I feel exhausted and kinda burnt-out. It's true that working for the time you allocated removes guilt. It's true that setting aside a fixed amount of time for working makes you more efficient. If I could only find a way to sustain this kind of movement. One thing I've seen working is listening to easy-listening music. After quieting down my brain, I have much more self-discipline and focus.
- Bakary 9y ago
  To change your habits over the long term it helps to take it really slowly but consistently.
- thanatropism 9y ago
  I find the Pomodoro technique much too confusing and detailed. Whenever I'm in an impossible procrastinating mood (and I feel that this is what is: a mood) I put e.ggtimer.com to the minimum amount of time I really think I can put together. Usually by the timer is gone I have to reset it and keep working. If I'm really getting into a good place, I increase the time, if it seems I'm going to be done soon, I decrease it. Reasonable expectations. > Using self-discipline techniques help in the short term, but in the long term I find them harmful. This seems a case of Stockdale's Paradox: http://ndoherty.com/stockdale-paradox/ http://ndoherty.com/stockdale-paradox/
  - terminalcommand 9y ago
    Thanks for the insight. Could you please elaborate on the Stockdale's Paradox. I researched the topic but couldn't understand the connection with me finding self-discipline techniques harmful. Should I not lose faith and try to find better ways to get my life in order?

by grrowl 9y ago

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

terminalcommand 9y ago

The problem I found with sticking to using Pomodoros or longer periods (90 minutes) per work is that they work for a short while. After a couple of days or max. a few weeks I plunge back into my old self. Using self-discipline techniques help in the short term, but in the long term I find them harmful. Because after a while of dedication, I feel exhausted and kinda burnt-out. It's true that working for the time you allocated removes guilt. It's true that setting aside a fixed amount of time for working makes you more efficient. If I could only find a way to sustain this kind of movement. One thing I've seen working is listening to easy-listening music. After quieting down my brain, I have much more self-discipline and focus.

Bakary 9y ago
To change your habits over the long term it helps to take it really slowly but consistently.
thanatropism 9y ago
I find the Pomodoro technique much too confusing and detailed. Whenever I'm in an impossible procrastinating mood (and I feel that this is what is: a mood) I put e.ggtimer.com to the minimum amount of time I really think I can put together. Usually by the timer is gone I have to reset it and keep working. If I'm really getting into a good place, I increase the time, if it seems I'm going to be done soon, I decrease it. Reasonable expectations. > Using self-discipline techniques help in the short term, but in the long term I find them harmful. This seems a case of Stockdale's Paradox: http://ndoherty.com/stockdale-paradox/ http://ndoherty.com/stockdale-paradox/
- terminalcommand 9y ago
  Thanks for the insight. Could you please elaborate on the Stockdale's Paradox. I researched the topic but couldn't understand the connection with me finding self-discipline techniques harmful. Should I not lose faith and try to find better ways to get my life in order?