So, the other day on the Wall Street Journal, I came across a review of time management/organizational techniques. The Pomodoro Technique description caught my eye for its simplicity: You set a timer for 25 minutes, after which you've earned a 5-minute break. (I downloaded the ebook but haven't read it yet...I'm wondering if I even need to.) There are several Mac Dashboard widgets to accomplish the task, but I chose "Egg Timer," which pings you with verbal message when it expires. Mine says, "Time to check the Pomodoro."
Also on the WSJ recommendation, I also purchased a copy of "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity," and it's an interesting read so far. It's designed to be a "whole-life" organizer, and I particularly like the ways in which it departs from the standard Franklin Planner method, which never really worked for me.
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I am a sprinter, too. I've heard of Pomodoro. I think that's pretty much how I work, anyway, only I use tasks instead of time. When I complete task xxxx I will take a break. Of course, sometimes the breaks run long, but that's an entirely different problem :)
ReplyDeleteSTW, I've always tended to work task-style, too. And in all honesty, my breaks aren't timed to the exact second, either. *working on it*
ReplyDeleteWhat I was seeking was a way to instill discipline on bigger projects that require more than one concerted work-bout. As a runner, it's mentally how I look at a half-marathon: a series of progressively faster 5Ks.