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Writing down what you need to work on the next day in a list has been very helpful for me. I usually pair this with Pomodoro technique if the items are program

by tmaly 8y ago

Writing down what you need to work on the next day in a list has been very helpful for me. I usually pair this with Pomodoro technique if the items are programming related. If they are management related, I usually use some form of GTD to ensure that I am on top of things.

cimmanom 8y ago
This works for me too. And trying to devote entire days to programming mode vs management mode instead of switching contexts within the day helps too. Though it’s vanishingly rare to be able to split them entirely, you can block off days with no meetings when your only interruptions will be people needing info or help. Then you can take care of administrative management tasks between meetings on meeting days.
JohnJamesRambo 8y ago
My first exposure to Pomodoro was this thread so I looked it up. >There are six steps in the original technique: >Decide on the task to be done. >Set the pomodoro timer (traditionally to 25 minutes). >Work on the task. >End work when the timer rings and put a checkmark on a piece of paper. >If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 2. >After four pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes), reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step 1. I can't believe anyone would religiously do this, it seems like something designed by de Sade.
- alpaca128 8y ago
  I've never heard of the checkmarks and I doubt many people do it this way. I think it's just about making you focus on the work for a shorter, more manageable timespan.
- nf05papsjfVbc 8y ago
  I've done this in the past and it does work. There are a few additional details that this description is missing - like what to do when an "interrupt/interruption" arrives (you just note it down and deal with it later). It really helps but I thought it was very intense and eventually I questioned why I was working with that intensity for someone else. It's not that I was slacking off prior to that. I was performing well but wasn't heading towards burning out and this would have led to a burnout.
- tmaly 8y ago
  If you use an app on the phone it handles all the steps. The main benefit of Pomodoro is focus and it helps you overcome procrastination

by tmaly 8y ago

cimmanom 8y ago

This works for me too. And trying to devote entire days to programming mode vs management mode instead of switching contexts within the day helps too. Though it’s vanishingly rare to be able to split them entirely, you can block off days with no meetings when your only interruptions will be people needing info or help. Then you can take care of administrative management tasks between meetings on meeting days.

JohnJamesRambo 8y ago

My first exposure to Pomodoro was this thread so I looked it up. >There are six steps in the original technique: >Decide on the task to be done. >Set the pomodoro timer (traditionally to 25 minutes). >Work on the task. >End work when the timer rings and put a checkmark on a piece of paper. >If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 2. >After four pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes), reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step 1. I can't believe anyone would religiously do this, it seems like something designed by de Sade.

alpaca128 8y ago
I've never heard of the checkmarks and I doubt many people do it this way. I think it's just about making you focus on the work for a shorter, more manageable timespan.
nf05papsjfVbc 8y ago
I've done this in the past and it does work. There are a few additional details that this description is missing - like what to do when an "interrupt/interruption" arrives (you just note it down and deal with it later). It really helps but I thought it was very intense and eventually I questioned why I was working with that intensity for someone else. It's not that I was slacking off prior to that. I was performing well but wasn't heading towards burning out and this would have led to a burnout.
tmaly 8y ago
If you use an app on the phone it handles all the steps. The main benefit of Pomodoro is focus and it helps you overcome procrastination