One of my areas of improvement is to complete what I start. I tend to jump from one thing to another with serious apprehensions of losing an idea I may be having out of nowhere.
A tool that’s working for me is the Pomodoro Technique, which a work colleague shared with me. In its original form, it uses a kitchen timer. I use my phone timer. Here’s how it works.
(1) Determine the task to be completed.
(2) Set the timer to 25 minutes.
(3) Work on the task and do not stop working on it until the timer ends.
(4) Take a 5- to 10-minute break. (I usually stretch, transfer the laundry into the dryer or check on Manu)
(5) Restart timer to 25 minutes.
(6) If you’ve completed the task you started, start on the next task. If not, continue working on the task.
Typically, I would do anywhere between four to five 25-minute intervals, which in total is about two to three hours of focused work.
Do I go berserk if my son somehow wakes up from his naps earlier than I expect? Yes. I choose to attend to him and restart on the task when able. However, I have learned that my best ideas come in the early morning hours, so I usually do my deep thinking before everyone else is awake.
Let me know if you find this useful or have other hacks to share.
Directionally Impaired Journey 