(10+2)*5

Published 05 December 06 04:34 PM

One techniques I've used with some success to get myself writing is setting a timer to count 10 minutes, then 2 minutes. 10 minutes to work, 2 to procrastinate (yes, I'm writing this in the 2 minute section). Repeat 5 times, which make one hour. Then break away from the computer, stretch, rinse, repeat. The idea comes from 43 Folders.

So far (in four cycles) I've finished off one paragraph, written another, and started on a third. Better than all of yesterday. (Yes, I know three paragraphs isn't huge, but it is momentum. Don't judge me:) )

Timer just went - back to work! 

by Karen.Hall
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# Krys.Haq said on December 7, 2006 11:37 AM:

While I'm writing something much less daunting than a thesis, I'm not enjoying what I'm writing at the moment, and am finding progress to be very slow. (Note the proscratinatory look at MyResearchSpace blogs that led me to this one). Anyway, this looks like a great idea that I will put into practice right away - so thanks a lot!

# CHill said on December 8, 2006 10:12 AM:

Oooh, good one!  I read a similar thing in 'The Mind Gym' (my latest time management bible) and it suggested breaking an hour down into 4x15minute chunks.  I think this is good to get going if an hour seems too long or also to get going if you think you'll be interrupted within an hour (as in, I'll see if I can just get 15 minutes done).  

I like this because it makes me aware of passing time.  Although 15 minutes is a bite-sized chunk, it's still a bite-size chunk of potential productivity.  

If 15 minutes is still too long, there's always the exercise mantra, "I'll just do it for 5 minutes and see how I feel after that..." (Sorry, all my analogies are fitness based.  Wish I was as fit as this would suggest!)

Good luck :-)

# Krys.Haq said on December 11, 2006 2:22 PM:

I've tried this for 3 days now and here's why I'll keep using it:

- having 2 mintues of permitted procrastination time has saved me a lot of "mind space" in fighting my desire to procrastinate, hence my work time is more productive

- breaking down serious work time to 10 minute blocks has made me focus much more on specific tasks I need to do, so I don't feel overwhelmed by the whole piece of work

- when setting the 10 minutes for work, I find myself in "competitive mode" and feel motivated to get something completed in that time

- once I get into the swing of things, I have found the 10 minute time slot a bit too short , so now I do 2 consecutive 10 minute slots on work then give myself 4 minutes break.

- I'll keep using 10 minute blocks for work (and repeat sequentially as necessary) rather than going for a 15 or 20 minute blocks, because it keeps me  better motivated.

# Karen.Hall said on December 14, 2006 3:50 PM:

I'm glad to hear that it is working for you, Krys.

I find myself that after a while I run out of things to procrastinate - so I will skip the 2 minutes and go back to work (whereas if I am just staring at the screen I can always thing of more ways to procrastinate.)

The urge to 'beat the clock' to the end of the sentence/paragraph/page is a good motivation for me also!

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About Karen.Hall

I've recently submitted my PhD thesis, titled 'Discovering the Lost Race Story: Writing Science Fiction, Writing Temporality', for examination. In the meantime, I'm teaching in the discipline of Communication Studies at UWA and starting a new project on medievalism and media through a Whitfeld Fellowship.