Monthly Archives: June 2013

#180 The Pomodoro Technique

Leave a reply
Send to Kindle

Stressed out about your lack of productivity and inability to concentrate? If you practice DO #4 Focus from the book, you will gain benefits, but you need something more tangible.

You need the Pomodoro Technique. To learn more, watch the video (2 mins 23 seconds), visit the website, read the book. Get the PDF for free. I love the illustrated version.

I predict you will need to practice DO #4 Focus as well. The Pomodoro Technique will give you tangible techniques. DO #4 will build your determination and discipline to follow through.

The takeaway is, if you have determination and discipline, but lack tangible techniques, you are like a high octane fuel without an engine. If you have knowledge of awesome techniques, but lack determination and discipline, you are like a high performance engine without fuel. Put the two together for awesome productivity!

Share

#179 A sniff test

Leave a reply
Send to Kindle

To assess a situation, you can do extensive research or you can use a sniff test.

The former is required when you have to establish the problem and solution without a shadow of doubt. The latter is sufficient when speed is critical and more information will not necessarily improve the quality of the decision.

Sniff tests are used all the time: first impressions are the best example. A chance encounter with an influential executive is another. Your first response to a question from your boss is yet another.

Prepare for sniff tests well in advance. Just because a sniff test takes a couple of seconds does not mean you don’t need to do a lot of work to pass it.

Yes, sniff tests are impacted by the bias of the sniffer. Suspend judgement and embrace this reality, prepare harder.

Share