How do you get yourself started on projects and stay motivated?
I’m curious as I struggle with this. Once I settle in and get to work I'm okay, but getting started is always tough. I am easily distracted and am the queen of waffling. In fact I could easy now go on a tangent about waffles and spend the next 20 minutes looking up waffle recipes!
I clearly need techniques to stay focused and on track. I'm slowly figuring out what works for me, I’d love to hear what works for you.
I have two techniques I’m currently using.
Technique 1 – Build Momentum Any Way I Can
I've gotten into the habit of sitting down to work with a cup of tea. The tea isn’t integral to studying or working, but making a cuppa gets me ready to work without actually doing anything too difficult. Boiling water, warming my mug, and measuring out the tea are items I can tick off my “I’m working” checklist. Much like writing “Start to-do list” at the top of your to-do list then immediately checking it off.
By the time the tea is ready I feel I’m already accomplishing things and I have momentum on my side.
This also has the power of ritual, preparing tea is becoming a cue that I am going to work now.
Technique 2 – Pomodoro
Pomodoro is a time management technique where you do work in 25 minute chunks with short breaks. The idea is that the breaks allow you to be more productive and effective than you would be working straight through.
As per Wikipedia, the six stages are:
- Decide on the task to be done.
- Set the pomodoro timer to n minutes (traditionally n = 25).
- Work on the task until the timer rings. If a distraction pops into your head, write it down, but immediately get back on task.
- After the timer rings, put a checkmark on a piece of paper.
- If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 1
- Else (i.e. after four pomodoros) take a longer break (15–30 minutes), reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step 1.
Pomodoro segments also give me a set end point, I know that I’m not sitting down indefinitely but for just shy of half an hour. For me that makes it far easier to get started. Also, the process of setting the timer is another cue stating “I am going to work now.” Although it's a very small task this too provides momentum.
I find that I usually get into work in a few minutes and when the timer goes off I’m mid-thought and don’t want to stop. Which is the perfect time to stop. This means that when I start up again in five minutes, or thirty minutes or the next day, that I am raring to go. More momentum!
The above is what is working for me right now. Do you have techniques you use to get yourself started and to keep yourself going? If so, please share in the comments. I'd love to see if I can use your ideas.
How timely. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe're on an organizing binge in the Turner house, and there's a lot more to do than there are hours in the day. Staying busy and staying motivated are ... tricky. I like your observation about the perfect time to stop: when you're right into things.
Also: I'd bet all the money in your pockets that whoever wrote this method is into Zen. The timing (25 on / 5 off, repeat x 4) exactly matches the pattern used in an evening's Zen meditation session. 25 minutes seated meditation, 5 minutes walking meditation, repeat x 4. So the timing is already nicely programmed into me. :)
Hi Jason,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply, did Pomodoro help with your organizing binge?
It’s interesting that Pomodoro uses the same timing as in Zen meditation, but not surprising. Either the timing is simply natural, or the creator “borrowed” the Zen pattern. I’ll hazard a guess it’s the latter, although my online searching didn’t reveal an answer.
I understand your difficulty with trying to be productive while dealing with being very busy. Balancing work, an online course, injury rehab and some vestige of a social life has been a struggle. Add nine months of chronic pain to the mix and motivation is hard to come by. I don’t know how you parents manage, kids don’t give you days off!
I apologize for the late reply (see above re: being busy!). I hope in past four months you got things organized and were able to move onto the next project.
Take care.