after the honeymoon
• Tags: gtd
I’ve written on this topic before, and don’t really mention much about it anymore. Information overload on this topic is common and it’s (in my opinion) often overdone on the “interwebs” and doesn’t help anything.
What am I planning on writing about? I’ll pose a question first and provide the following disclaimer that this post isn’t as maturely developed as I wish. (as always)
Beyond cult followings, successful book and further marketing/branding opportunities, what are the main similarities between FlyLady and GTD?
I plan to focus on one today, leaving the others for another day.
1) Set time goals
2) Break tasks/projects down based on routines or context
3) revisit the big picture often.
and
4) WRITE IT DOWN.
Two more quick things:
1) My name isn’t really Penny, it’s Procrastination Annie.
2) “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” ~ Parkinson’s Law
In the past, I worked dashing desperately to a finish line just as time ran out. This sort of pressure is still one I seem to prefer, but I have found if I work like that then I do not think about the big picture or pace myself so that I am not overwhelmed by the vast amount to accomplish.
By setting time-based goals (”I will accomplish thing X by time Y”) I give myself mini-deadlines so I can work under the pressure I seem to prefer. In breaking down tasks by routine or location I do not need to take time to figure out what to do when I could be working on it instead. I also do not waste time by attempting to complete something when and where conditions aren’t optimal. I’m frequently and most importantly routinely revisiting the big picture so that I can revise tasks to see how they most appropriately fit into my goals.
How do I track time if I rarely wear a watch? I’m spoiled by living in NYC. There are ample places for me to check if I’m not in front of a computer (which I try not to be, an odd habit for a computer scientist). I find the time on the metrocard balance machine, muni (parking) meters, and receipts from purchases if the store didn’t have a clock. Additionally I often track the estimated time by employ that wonder of wonders phenomenon: time shifting by way of my wonderful iPod. Most of the podcasts I listen to are of similar length for each episode of a certain show. For example, I listen to a BBC production called “Documentaries”. On average it’s 20 minutes. I let them queue up and listen to them when I’m straightening a zone or taking a (deserved) knitting break. When the time is up, the time is up. Alternatively I use a kitchen timer.
It’s remarkable how much you can get done when you are focused on ONE task and have a short deadline (it’s amazing how dinner comes together from nothing in the 20 minutes before E walks in the door). My desk had a scary pile of doom (papers, drafts, books, the socks-i-am-still-not-speaking-to) and I set myself five minutes with New Classical Tracks and I sorted and purged it all.
It’s also amazing how much gets done when two evils are turned off: the television (E has it blaring right now as he does his school work, how he does that and still gets A’s I don’t know) and email. I am not a phone person so that isn’t even on my radar screen. I would mention IM and Ravelry and things, but I haven’t logged into IM in probably a year and I try to limit my time on Ravelry [though I must say that the new experimental pattern search really really rocks my world].
I hope as the academic phase to my Project winds down that I am able to write up what I did (and didn’t do) and how that worked (or not) to get it all done.
Some administrative stuff:
The project is due on the 9th of May, 2008. I have a few weeks off before returning to campus for a summer course. I’m not yet sure how that break or the new course schedule (t/r 6:15-9:25pm) will affect my writing here.
There will be no posts on 19, 20, and 26 April due to pesach. I’m not yet sure about the 21st or 27th. My hope is to post on those evenings.
on this day...
- books, all 2285 pages of them.. - 2007
- real post soon ... - 2007
- current reading… - 2005
- while i’m on the subject… - 2005
Oh dear. Now you’ve given me more things to load onto my already-groaning mp3 player!
It’s a wonderful idea to set time goals; it’s also odd that I don’t do it, since I’m a fanatic about wearing a watch. (I’ve been known to buy a cheap one, or borrow one, if I’m far from home and have forgotten to wear one.)
Focusing on one task is another good goal. Hmmmm.
Great post, Penny!
Thanks for the wonderful post — so wise and so true! I will have to borrow a lot from you! :) I also need to learn to devote myself to one task at a time and really focus on it.
Interesting analysis of your methods for keeping on track. I like how you keep track of time. I may have to suggest some of these methods (muni meter and such) to my daughter who, also, refuses to wear a watch. (Unlike her brother, who just put on his watchES.