getting shit done

Did the title of this post send a shiver up your spine? I cringed writing it.

Yes, I get stuff done, but it’s rarely pretty or worthy of emulation. Some days I feel incredibly organized and accomplished and other days I struggle to get the basics done. Some days I follow all the advice (my own included) and tackle the hard stuff, the ugly stuff, first freeing my mind to enjoy the rest of the day. Other days I put it off and put it off until a day or two, or ten, has passed and this thing is still weighing me down.

After years of this ineffective way of doing things, I’ve discovered that I need to be organized and that I crave the routine that comes from going to an office and doing work while surrounded by other people. It’s not that I can’t do the work on my own when motivated, it’s that I’m not always motivated.

So here it is, my jacked up, hacked up way of getting things done while also ensuring I have time to spend with my family each and every day.

Pomodoro

I recently wrote an article about this on the What If Conference blog, so I’ll let you read the details there. Basically, this technique breaks your work day into manageable chunks of time (25 minutes) followed by a break to do whatever you want (5 minutes). This allows me to set a timer and get things done.  If there is another method you use to manage your day, that’s awesome. I find the Pomodoro Technique works well for me, but the key is finding what works for you and sticking to it.

Forgive

When you don’t get things done, forgive yourself and move on. It’s not the end of the world and if you let it consume you, you will be less effective tomorrow. Some days things just don’t get finished. Apologize to anyone waiting on you, apologize to yourself and remember that you are not perfect, but you are doing your best.

Recommit

When you mess up and don’t finish your whole to-do list or you just have one of those days where nothing was done, commit to trying again. You won’t be efficient or effective if you wallow in your mistakes or shortcomings. Get off your ass and get going – you will feel so much better when you get things done.

Repeat

If you are anything like me this cycle will play out again and again and again. Heck, you may even go several days before you get back on track. Eventually you will have no choice but to get things done – the cycle begins again.

Pomodoro, forgive, recommit, repeat.