Get Everything Done

I was wondering if anyone had tried combining the pomodoro technique as described in the PDF here http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/ (not just the 25-5 technique but including determining pomodoros per task, maybe some kind of daily list etc) and AF. I really like the way AF seems to enable me to work on the right things but I also like the structure of the pomodoro technique. Anyway just curious if anyone has tried any kind of pairing of these before I go about trying to find one on my own.

I discovered the pomodoro technique through Mark Forsters tweet and found it really interesting. I had been doing something quite similar in that I would time my predetermine tasks with 24 minute countdown timers. Then I'd apply the AF rule of working on something as long as I feel like it. The trick is, for those resistant tasks, I'd focus for a minimal of 24 minutes, which isn't too long but still significant. I picked 24 minutes because it fits nicely with the pareto principle (2x24=48 minutes with a 12 minute break every hour). It works magically for me. I tried 15 and 30 minutes but they were either too long or too short.

The nice thing is in most case the momentum you've built up in the 24 minutes implores you to keep going, even on the tasks you're keen to avoid.

Some of my tasks are pomodores of 25'. I like the 25' as 30' is maybe too much for me. I see pomodores as a way to balance my AF list when bigger tasks, like 8x25' the next two days, needs to be done .

I do 24 minute blocks also, although not for Pareto, or Pomodor. I do it because I get some bizarre satisfaction knowing it is that it is 1/60th of a day.

I have used timers for years. The more resistance I have the fewer the minutes I shoot for.

I also try not to get too specific about what I need to do, if I have a lot of resistance. If I want to get some cleaning done in the living room, I don't write down a next task, I just go at it however I want for 20 minutes.

If I have something I absolutely think I am going to loath doing, I go at it for five minutes.

I can always go longer, but I never set a pre-determined amount of time I *must* spend doing the activity.

A timer is always a good idea for me, how long I set it for is what matters.

I agree that timers are an excellent tool for breaking down high resistance tasks but and if we are in the position of "having" to do items because of external deadlines etc then they are an invaluable aid. However they go against the rule to action a task "for as long as you feel". For me that rule is one of the most freeing aspects of AF in that it removes even those last few vestiges of resistance.

I just scheduled my day using Peter's approach. But I will NOT be scheduling specific tasks; rather work on the AF list itself. I'm going to try this approach with my school schedule. I think long periods of schooling with no breaks sends me into doing a whole lot of nothing afterward. When it comes to AF, I feel very comfortable working for 48 minutes (I LIKE doing AF) and then taking a 12 minute break, whereas I will do most school subjects for 24 minutes as opposed to the 30 I was doing.

If stopping work on my AF list at 48 minutes leaves me wanting more, so much the better. I have seen how powerful this quitting on time principle is in maintaining motivation. Our small group leaders at church wanted to find a time to meet monthly that was convenient and motivating. We decided to meet for just 20 minutes between church services once a month. The result has been AMAZING. Attendance is excellent and we always leave the meeting reluctantly because what we're discussing is still interesting! Limiting the time you have to work your AF list can have a similar effect imo even if you work at it in multiple time blocks as I plan to do.

That's something we used to do with Scouts, end their activities when they were having fun so they would look forward to it next time. I've heard of some writers (Hemingway?) who would quit in mid-sentence so as to pick up the thread cleanly when they resumed writing.

Clay,

It has been referred to as parking on a downhill slope:

http://www.43folders.com/node/47242/316387

FWIW

Just finally got around to looking at the Pomodoro Technique.

Time considered as a helix of semi-precious tomatoes.

Simply brilliant.

Mark also refers to this in "Do It Tomorrow and other Secrets of Time Management" (aka DIT!) Chapter 13 (Keeping Going.....)

For those using iPhone or iPod Touch, I just noticed three Pomodoro apps in the app store! 2 are free; I haven't had a chance to give any of them a good test yet, so don't know how fun / effective /usable any of them are.

I have been using the Pomodoro technique for a few months. It makes it easy to see that if I have 2 hours I have 4 blocks, 4.5 hours is 8 blocks etc. Sometimes I do 30mins on 30mins off work when I have a long day (and an evening alone). It also means if I am feel hassled its easy to see that I have so many time blocks and so can see its worth doing things even for that short time.

I have a list of blocks I do each day - af/ticker, plan food/sort fridge, water garden etc. Most of the jobs I try and do a whole block if I can or at least one task. I find it very useful for the AF/ticker list and cleaning as I have a set amount of time, rather than it possibly dragging out. Plus I think it is useful to put limits on thing as that stops it feeling too big and the procrastination monkey appearing. I find if I don't use time blocks the whole day feels too overwhelming and I get little done.

WOW!

The pomodoro technique is just simply BRILLIANT!!!

This is my first day using it and I got SO much more (important procrastinated stuff) done than the days before...

This seems to be the ultimate procrastination buster. If you're a procratisanator definately check it out!

Pomodoro has been good to me too.

It gives a sense of 'closure' as there are only so many that can be done in a period of time.

It also helps with pacing as it requires taking small breaks and occasional longer breaks. If you work without breaks and get too tired, you can still do tasks for 'as long as you like' but that won't be long! :-)

I split bigger tasks into a number of pomodoro, and glob smaller related tasks into a single pomodoro, so for me it doesn't conflict with AF rules.

I have to say the Pomodoro Technique looks very intriguing... I shall be giving it a bash next week!

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