Discussion Forum > Productive Procrastination (thanks to C2)
May 23, 2011 at 1:26 |
moises
moises
hehe, thanks moises, that's it ;-)
May 23, 2011 at 9:44 |
BG
BG
Hi BG,
I don't use SF so cannot really claim to know what I'm talking about :)
However, it looks like your C2 item 'Working on Thesis' does not sound like a task that has a clear completion criteria, for example 'complete first draft for tutor feedback' (or an interim completion statement that makes sense to you) may serve to provide a more 'super' focus?
Conversely, the entry 'Working on Thesis' would appear to be better suited to C1 as it suggests a more 'little and often' approach that does not define any sort of completion criteria.
As I say, I'm no expert & all the best of luck with your thesis!
I don't use SF so cannot really claim to know what I'm talking about :)
However, it looks like your C2 item 'Working on Thesis' does not sound like a task that has a clear completion criteria, for example 'complete first draft for tutor feedback' (or an interim completion statement that makes sense to you) may serve to provide a more 'super' focus?
Conversely, the entry 'Working on Thesis' would appear to be better suited to C1 as it suggests a more 'little and often' approach that does not define any sort of completion criteria.
As I say, I'm no expert & all the best of luck with your thesis!
May 23, 2011 at 12:11 |
leon
leon
Predefined scope for C2 unfinished items was the original mandate. It has not however been universally accepted, and even Mark experimented with alternatives. Yet it's absolutely right for a project as big and important as a thesis; it helps to have more concrete goals. It's motivating to approach the target and see progress.
May 23, 2011 at 18:42 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Thanks for your answers :)
I used to take the GTD Next Action approach... very well defined tasks.
But Mark's blog post on his completion of "War & Peace" made me think. The "little and often" approach appealed to me, combined with some urgency... and now I'm always having some kind of thesis related task in C2.
Currently, due to the mentioned high resistance, it is phrased: "Thesis > 10 Minutes" (I have an extra list for all thesis related tasks that I switch to.) This helps me to get started and do at least SOMETHING a couple of times each day. So far, this works.
And there is still enough resistance to get my room nice and clean XD
But I am still experimenting with the system and the phrasing of particular tasks.
I used to take the GTD Next Action approach... very well defined tasks.
But Mark's blog post on his completion of "War & Peace" made me think. The "little and often" approach appealed to me, combined with some urgency... and now I'm always having some kind of thesis related task in C2.
Currently, due to the mentioned high resistance, it is phrased: "Thesis > 10 Minutes" (I have an extra list for all thesis related tasks that I switch to.) This helps me to get started and do at least SOMETHING a couple of times each day. So far, this works.
And there is still enough resistance to get my room nice and clean XD
But I am still experimenting with the system and the phrasing of particular tasks.
May 24, 2011 at 22:21 |
BG
BG
I also have Thesis as a Column 2 task. It's a big one, but it has a clear exit criteria (having it approved my committee). Of course, I also use the "I'll get the file out" trick extensively to work on it.
I've found it's effective to knowing how you'll even feel when you're finished, even if you don't know the exact details of what finished will be.
I've found it's effective to knowing how you'll even feel when you're finished, even if you don't know the exact details of what finished will be.
May 26, 2011 at 3:25 |
Ryan Freckleton
Ryan Freckleton
I have used SF for the last 5 days and one of the most interesting things to me has been some kind of productive procrastination. Usually, there is some task in C2 that I resist, so some remaining C1 tasks suddenly seem attractive.
Example:
C2: Working on Thesis (high resistance)
C1: De-clutter Desktop (some resistance, but I's still more appealing)
And suddenly I have a clean workspace. Amazing! For the first time in months. In this way C2 resistance helps me (a lot) overcome C1 resistance. I think I haven't become faster at working on my Thesis but all this other stuff finally gets done. So relieving! I hope this effect will remain. Has anyone experienced the same effect?