I read this last weeks, a lot of blog posts about multi-tasking. It was interesting, and really surprising. They were talking about me without knowing me. Take two people for example, both multi-tasking certified, they more or less equal. They can produce something different but the way to produce it is quite the same. I read Ben Slater (http://blog.seed.jobs/2015/01/multitasking-is-bad-brains/) and his advice about this Pomodoro technique.
No, it is only this amazing tomatoes sausage for pizzas!
So here we are. Friday 26th of June 2015, 09:52 and I want to try this Pomodoro Technique. I'll use this blog post as a diary, and let's see if I become a CPM (Certified Pomodoro Master). So ready ? Go !
First step : How to get started ? Easy.
Go to http://pomodorotechnique.com/ and watch this funny video on the home page ,and discover how easy it is.
Second step : My boss just sent me a new task to be done. I choose this example to start this technique. I am going to spent 25 minutes in :
- Collecting information (mails and documents mainly) to have the big picture of my new task
- Read everything
- Make some notes if I have to
- Define how I will proceed
So let's see you in 25 minutes plus my short break to get my feedback and my conclusions.
I finished my coffee, closed all unnecessary browsers, turned off my phone, turned off my smart phone off, declared myself "busy" on my instant messaging tool. Let's go ! It's 10:53
Now it is 11:18. Timer's out. My first Pomodoro Interval of my life. So proud of it. But now, short break time !
First impressions :
- My colleague asked me a question. I answered it. Was I wrong? It was only 10 seconds
- It is good, very good. I feel already relaxed because I have this feeling that something positive is happening.
- My task is not finished. I thought it was quicker to do. Let's go for a second round, after my short break
Let's continue.
It is 12:35 and first task finished
Good news :
- I finished it without switching task
- I begin to understand Pomodoro's positive effect
- I really like these first and last steps. I have to get used of defining objectives, even if they are little ones, and to make conclusions in order to define next steps.
Bad news :
- I needed more than 3, 25 minutes intervals, to complete this first task. Need to improve myself on planning things.
- Forgetting my bad habits is not as simple as it seems. I trust myself, which is already good. But making myself isolated from calls, instant messaging, … requires a real effort from me
I agree. It was a short test of the Pomodoro technique. And to become a CPM, sure I'll need more experience on it. But I want to.