experiments with pomodoro technique

The other day, I was not doing my accounts.  I had a big bag of receipts.  Well it looked  big.  I knew it was only from April.  That's not so bad is it???? but it was on my list to do.  And had been since, well er..... April.  And it had built up since.  I don't know what my problem is.  Its not a hard job.  Whenever I actually sit down and do it, its really quite painless and takes me waaaaay less time than I think it is going to.  But I hate it, and I avoid it and it stays on my to do list for too long. 

It was time to tackle it.  My first attempt had me doing everything BUT my accounts.  I did get a lot of admin sorted.  But I hadn't done my accounts.

Time to get serious.  I put it in my calendar.  I decided to use POMODORO technique.  Its quite simple really.  You get a timer (Pomodoro was inspired by one of those kichen timers that looks like a tomato)  - I used my iphone.  And you set yourself down to work.  Put the timer on for 25 minutes and you work as hard as you can for 25 minutes.  Then you have a 5 minute break.  Then another 25 minutes of focused hard work.  Another 5 min break.  And finally a 3rd set of 25 minutes. 

Apparently our brain gets tired after 90 minutes and needs a bigger break.  For my part.  I was up to date on my accounts before the 90 minutes was up.  WHOOOP!

As an added proof and motivational tool, I used facebook, probably one of my biggest and most unsatisfying procrastination tools, to monitor my progress.  And although my 2nd break, was slightly longer than 5 mins.  It did work.  I was public on my commitment!!!

And WHATEVER.  Accounts are up to date.  BIG TICK. 

Aside from writing this (sometimes also a procrastination technique on my part) I am now off for a good 25 minutes research into setting up a blog, wordpress or tumblr or some such for How to be a COOL OLD LADY. 

watch me go.  OK timer....  lets go.