For the unmedicated: Dynamic Pomodoro method

21 days ago by SubArcticTundra to c/adhd

If you struggle to be productive due to your workflow being too unstructured, allowing you to get distracted too easily, this is one way I have found structure your time:

In essence, you switch from centering your attention around the task to centering it around a timer.
You start at a timer. You plan what your next step will be (baby steps), and write it down. You allocate yourself time to do that task. Repeat.
The one sentence goal statement is crucial because it reminds you what you are supposed to be doing during the timer if you get sidetracked.
If the timer runs out before you finish, that's fine, but you are obliged to come back to the drawing board and re-write the goal statement.
Snoozing the timer is a bad habit.

tyler 6 points 21 days ago

Wait, can you explain a little more? I’m not sure I fully understand.

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SubArcticTundra 5 points 21 days ago

Which bit?

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LORDSMEGMA 10 points 21 days ago

The all of it

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Nemo 4 points 21 days ago

how does this help you?

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SubArcticTundra 9 points 21 days ago

When I set out to do an important task on my computer, I usually get sidetracked within the first 10 minutes, because I rely on being able to control what I am doing for long periods of time (which I am not in fact able to do). This simple system gives my workflow a much tighter structure which leaves me a lot less room to accidentally get sidetracked.

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NightFantom 4 points 21 days ago

I don't use a timer but I do write logs, and use those logs centrally to my work. Anytime I get distracted, my first reflex is to go look back at what I wrote down to be doing, often indeed in one sentence (enough to jog my memory, but more if some links are important for instance)

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joulethief 2 points 20 days ago

Yeah, I often find myself doing that too. At this point I'd say it is actually crucial to me for getting things done, even on medication.

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