In Search of Time

It seems like I’m always in search of time. Or, rather, in search of managing time.

Sometimes, I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time searching. Searching for a better way to manage time.

My most recent ahh-ha?

K. M. Weiland recently posted 7 Ways to Speed Up Your Writing by Steve Aedy.

I’m now trying the Pomodoro Technique. It’s not just about the timer. I’ve been using a timer method for years via the Flylady.

There’s even an online pomodoro timer set-up with this system in mind. (Great if your internet doesn’t go out like mind did over the weekend, LOL.)

No, it’s more about how manage the interruptions. How not to lose the momentum of your work/study time. How to better estimate the length of time an activity will take.

Similar to the Flylady idea, the Pomodoro Technique has a short break at the end of each unit of measurement and a longer break every four units. Plus, there’s something about an old-fashioned kitchen timer ticking down…

“With the Pomodoro Technique, figuring out how much time is wasted isn’t important; how many Pomodoros we’ve accomplished is.” — aw, positive reinforcement!

Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? Or use timers to keep you on task?

Sunday Summary & #ROW80

1. The writing: I’m afraid there were more misses than hits this week. I’m still plugging away at the awesome notes I got from my beta readers. I’ve had a few ah-ha moments. But mostly, my head just wasn’t in the game this week.
2. Maybe it’s time for something drastic? Kelsey Browning guest posted on KM Weiland’s Wordplay Friday. Has anyone tried The Benefits of Reading Deprivation?
3. The blogging: I have a decent number of posts in the queue, but in a rather hodge-podge order. So, gulp, that week cushion needs to be built up again.
4. The blogiversary: I’m still looking for April book releases and/or reader (reading) focused posts.
5. The social media: there have been some fantastic posts this week but that “my head just wasn’t in the game this week” messed with my comments. Sorry guys.
6. And of course Guru Kristen Lamb had another fab post the subject: T.E.A.M – Together Everyone Achieves More. :hangs head in shame:
7. The health: I’m still doing well with the water intake. The sugar reduction is going better than I anticipated. The dog walking is still a bit hit and miss. I’d hoped to be back up to 5-6 days a week by March and that hasn’t happened. In my defense, we had a lot of windy mornings this last week which vetoed the walk (wind + desert dust/sand + contacts = no outdoor activities for moi).
8. Are you running on empty? Or just running low, read Refill Your Glass: A Simple Way to Make the Most of Yourself a guest post by Gretchen Knox on Tiny Buddha.
9. To support the awesomeness that is ROW80 go HERE

Sunday Summary & #ROW80

1. Do you have a writer on your list? If so, Jami Gold has the Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers. Psst, honey, check it out.
2. Are you on a budget with a writer on your list? Then you must check out K.M. Weiland’s 25 “Under $25″ Christmas Gifts for Writers. Psst, wee beasties, check it out.
3. Just a reminder: Maria Zannini’s DIY 12 Days of Christmas continues through the 22nd.
   There are giveaways Hope you’ll stop by!
4. A huge congrats to Lindsay Buroker for her RT Book Reviews mention!
5. This past week has been a huge epic failure for ROW80. I apologize for my silence! The power cord to my laptop died. My life is on that laptop, LOL. I can’t access Facebook or Twitter from the ancient — can you hear it groaning? — desktop. Trying to read and comment on blogs was a frustrating exercise I gave up on most days. Really need to spend some quality time cleaning out, upgrading the memory, etc. on this poor machine but considering it is coming up on nine years of age and still working, it has surpassed its life expectancy so I shouldn’t complain.
6. On the writing: I can access my backups via email but can’t print from the desktop. And as the desktop is also the wee beasties’ computer, I’ve been hard pressed to get on it to work, LOL. So, I’ve attempted to do some writing and outlining by hand but even that has been more fail than success this week.
7. So thankful I got most of my posts finalized and scheduled before I lost the power cord.
8. And winter break has begun. My house is full of the not so quiet stomping and yelling of the wee beasties. Seriously, why can’t they WALK down the stairs? Must they slide down the banister, swing around the landing, and take flying leaps? For an example, you can check out Jenny Hansen’s When Your Baby Scares the Stuffing Out of You post, a typical banister sliding morning is in the comments, LOL
9. Don’t forget to stop by on Tuesday when the Foxie with Moxie Pair will be here as part of the Bayard/Lamb Campaign Blog Tour.
10. I apologize for the lack of a picture with Beastie Girl modeling her new sweater. By the time I got home Saturday from errands — I have a power cord, yay! — and Christmas shopping she was less than thrilled with me. And strangely in need of a bath.