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What do you count as a "thing" completed? Anything. It could be anything from "Add one comment line to function x" to "Read Chapter 7" to "Get sorting in Modu

by edw519 16y ago

What do you count as a "thing" completed? Anything. It could be anything from "Add one comment line to function x" to "Read Chapter 7" to "Get sorting in Module 17 working". Obviously, I like breaking up tasks into smaller and smaller doable pieces, doable in hours, not days, weeks, or months. The entire point is the binaryness of it all. Finishing a one hour task completely is better than finishing a one month task 50% (which really means that 90% is still left). I learned this approach years ago from my hero of project management, Tom DeMarco http://www.amazon.com/Controlling-Software-Projects-Management-Measurement/dp/0917072324/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298653811&sr=8-7 http://www.amazon.com/Controlling-Software-Projects-Manageme... Every task is either complete or not complete. In spite of what many bosses of mine have thought, there is no such thing as "partially complete". Even when I break things down like this, I still have many "red days". Amazing how easy it is to go through a whole day and achieve nothing. That is the outcome that each of us should be trying to avoid.

derefr 16y ago
> Every task is either complete or not complete. Say you task yourself to "fix the leaky pipe under the sink." You get down there with some pliers, check it off, and then the pipe starts leaking again. That probably means you didn't "fix" it. Do you avoid that by only using definitionally-finite verbs (e.g. "tighten the leaky pipe under the sink") or can some days retroactively go from black to red?
- JanezStupar 16y ago
  Its about putting effort into something of worth. The act of putting effort into something and maintaining discipline, even if you stretch the definition a bit, is what counts. Even Seinfeld doesn't write a good joke everyday the point is to at least take a shot at writing a good joke everyday. You know how we procrastinate from exercising by saying - I don't feel like doing a full hour workout. Doesn't matter you can go and do it for 30 minutes or even only 5. Not feeling like doing what you "should" be doing is normal. Nobody is on top of their game 24/7. But you should prevent yourself from quitting by putting in some effort while waiting for good wind to return. The size of daily goals depend mostly on individual long term strategy and ambition.
- shazow 16y ago
  I imagine that the effort counts more than whether the task was completed in the retrospective absolute sense. You're training yourself to put consistent effort into things that are important to you but probably unpleasant compared to playing Minecraft.
- mcantor 16y ago
  I think you're kinda overthinking things, dude. The calendar doesn't track solved problems--it just tracks stuff you did.

by edw519 16y ago

derefr 16y ago

> Every task is either complete or not complete. Say you task yourself to "fix the leaky pipe under the sink." You get down there with some pliers, check it off, and then the pipe starts leaking again. That probably means you didn't "fix" it. Do you avoid that by only using definitionally-finite verbs (e.g. "tighten the leaky pipe under the sink") or can some days retroactively go from black to red?

JanezStupar 16y ago
Its about putting effort into something of worth. The act of putting effort into something and maintaining discipline, even if you stretch the definition a bit, is what counts. Even Seinfeld doesn't write a good joke everyday the point is to at least take a shot at writing a good joke everyday. You know how we procrastinate from exercising by saying - I don't feel like doing a full hour workout. Doesn't matter you can go and do it for 30 minutes or even only 5. Not feeling like doing what you "should" be doing is normal. Nobody is on top of their game 24/7. But you should prevent yourself from quitting by putting in some effort while waiting for good wind to return. The size of daily goals depend mostly on individual long term strategy and ambition.
shazow 16y ago
I imagine that the effort counts more than whether the task was completed in the retrospective absolute sense. You're training yourself to put consistent effort into things that are important to you but probably unpleasant compared to playing Minecraft.
mcantor 16y ago
I think you're kinda overthinking things, dude. The calendar doesn't track solved problems--it just tracks stuff you did.