I'm fascinated by work methodologies, but they always remind me of the Atkins diet - something that probably works in the short term, so people rave about it, but breaks down over time. Even maniacs like Tim Ferris can't seem to stick with anything for the long run.
Has anyone been able to stick to a personal work technique like this for longer than a couple months?
I have recently re-started the pomodoro technique. There is no doubt at all my productivity is higher with it than with no technique at all. But it's much like exercise, we know we should do it, but for whatever reason, it's hard to maintain it.
I've added a different twist though that so far I am liking. At the beginning of the day I decide how many pomodoros I am going to accomplish today. If I have no meetings or other responsibilities, it's typically 13-15 (25 minute pomodoros with 5 minute breaks). Then my work day isn't done until I've hit that number. It motivates me to get on them and get them done, rather than work late just because I'm being inefficient.
I have a pet theory that 'working out the mind' is just like working out the body. You get use to whatever methodology/scheme you have setup and it looses effectiveness. The key is to rotate. Pick up a handful of work methodologies that work for you, and rotate through them every couple weeks. Just like how you should swap up your workouts, you swap up how you work.
Yeah, these kind of things can "trick" you into working, but eventually the part of your brain that procrastinates beats it. I'd like some genuine ways to beat procrastination long term, even if it takes a lot of time and dedication to achieve.
Here's a related trick, more useful when you're starting your day than when you're already in the flow of things:
Pick your task, preferably something small and easily defined like "refactor this duplicated code", estimate how long it will take you, set a countdown timer for that amount of time, and then try to beat your estimate.
This can begin your day on a productive note, rather than sitting and spending 45 minutes reading email and whatnot.
This is a good tip. In the past, I've often found myself paralysed by indecision first thing in the morning.
I started leaving myself specific, simple tasks the night before, so that I could get something done first thing in the morning. After doing that first thing, everything else seems to fall into place.
For those on OS X, there is a very nice application to do just that, it's called Vitamin R[1]. It works by "Time slice"... Add a new time slice (let's say 30 minutes) write your goal, and click "Start".
At the end of the time slice you can either start a new task, take a timed break, or an open-ended break. I find it works very well and keeps me motivated...
I've been using a modified version (50 minutes work, 10 minute break) for about 3 years now. It's invaluable and I don't even use a timer anymore. I don't even stay at my desk for the 10 minutes, I go chat, or step outside, or grab some coffee. I think just the act of getting up, away from the desk does more than being on a short deadline.
I long resisted using the pomodoro technique because, frankly, on the surface it looks a bit stupid. But then one day I tried and found that it is surprisingly effective. I am not sure why, perhaps it provides a sort of marching rhythm to the work time. Anyway, it works.
I have been using the pomodoro method for the past year for school work. (I am in college for engineering) I teach people how to use it regularly. It really does work.
Very good life hack IMO. There's a very similar trick I've heard of to help get you doing the chores you don't want to do: start a 5-minute timer, do the chore, and after 5 minutes you can stop with no guilt. Most of the time what happens is that you end up continuing until you finish, e.g. I've washed half the dishes, it's not a big deal to wash the rest.
I've found this really helps to get my cognitive processes over the initial hurdle of taking the first step. For me, that makes up almost all of the resistance and aversion I have to things like cleaning the apt, etc.
Edit: I think the 5-minute time slice is really key here because it so drastically reduces the amount of perceived effort and commitment I have to make toward any task.
I might be doing it wrong but I find time-boxing works great until you hit a problem. In that case I keep working on the problem till the time is up. Then when i revisit the problem I feel the time pressure which causes me to try think faster - which usually means about specifics, rather than chilling, sitting back and rechecking things. Is it the code or was it a firewall setting?, recheck calmly for typos (calmly because otherwise I end up reading what I expect rather than what is there) etc.
Wondering if someone can recommend software for easily setting this up? Was thinking something i could sit down with at the beginning of the day and would track my progress/alert me throughout the day?
I haven't tried this but I really want to. I've noticed that I'm most productive when I'm working on the laptop and I don't have anywhere to plug in. I hover over the battery icon and notice that I only have an hour left... and I work like crazy. Motivation levels are high and there's no procrastination. I usually get my task done, too.
I wonder if the effect will be the same if the time limit is artificial and planned. I also wonder how much discipline it takes to make it work. Only one way to find out, I suppose.
> If you do, ask yourself another question: which day saw the best of you in terms of work done and work focus? If you ever did this, the answer will be, without doubt, the last night.
Has anyone been able to stick to a personal work technique like this for longer than a couple months?