Discussion on:

Six secrets to productivity and getting tasks completed

... so tell me what I left out.

"... so tell me what I left out."

If there's anything you left out, I think it's the fact that geeks are often working hardest when they appear to be loafing. 90% of what professional geeks do for work involves thinking about a problem, rather than actually typing up the solutions.

The problem of returning a 202 can happen even when I'm sitting in front of the TV, supposedly "watching" an episode of Law and Order, because I'm working through part of a problem that has suddenly swapped into volatile memory for a while. I find that sometimes I work on something in that manner in bits and pieces, interrupting other (less critical) activities (like doing dishes) for a few minutes -- and during those times I can find it quite difficult to respond to conversational tones from others standing nearby (or even consciously realize they spoke to me).

In general, however, I think that may be the most concisely presented accurate explanation of how geeks work (and how they can make best use of that) I have ever encountered that is suitable for giving the Significant Other in a geek's life some insight into what's going on when we get that focused, far-off look.

Luckily for me, my SigO is pretty geeky herself, so that's not as big a problem for me as it probably is for many others.

Who did that. I live next door (ok, almost next door) to a restaurant, (they are good friends as well) and when ever I hit a block, or just need a time out to step back and think, I just walk next door, go straight to the kitchen and help with the dish washing. I've tried to explain, that for me it's a relaxing way to think, but... Not being geekie they'll never get it. It's all ok though, they do appreciate the help. And they feed me. -d

Washing dishes must have some sort of proprioceptive benefit for you. It doesn't do a thing for me. Either on a long walk or during a shower is when inspiration will strike me.

That's for nice weather now. (I must be getting old ) There are many benefits to being in a kitchen, always warm, the weather is usually good, and there's food. -d

Yes, unfortunately for most of us, the explanation makes even less sense to our companions than the behavior itself.

That's amusing (and depressing). It's also too often true -- which is one of the reasons I appreciate this article of yours so much: it provides a clear, concise explanation. It might help where a less eloquent explanation might not.

I guess it kinda boiled up out of my own frustration.

Signal Leads the Way!!! I felt that way for the 8 i did and my SigO's were always the geeky type too.

Maybe not, but you sure have a fairly decent handle on this issue. Good advice, thanks.

But as many of the replies show, there's always more to be learned.

Not only am I a geek, but I'm also a writer.

My SO and I have developed the "escalation" method to deal with interruptions while working/writing.

If either of us is concentrating and the other e-mails/calls/interrupts we just state "escalation" and the other backs off immediately.

It works really well, and since we devised the method together neither of us takes the "rejection" personally and no feelings are hurt.

That's an interesting term to choose, Julie. How did you decide on it?

Use of the word originated organically and was first used by the SO.

He was in a situation where everything that could go wrong was going wrong, and folks were starting to escalate the problems to higher levels of management. "Escalation" connotes a level of professional urgency that can't be conveyed with "I can't talk to you right now" or "I'm really busy."

Number 6. Very true, about creating flow and momentum. The bliss and sense of accomplishment of marking that task "completed" in Outlook. Sometimes the big picture is daunting when looked at from a macro perspective. Get micro people. Get on that giant wave and let it flow. It gets easier. You just have to catch the wave.

All great points.

Exercising helps too. That 1hr break you talk about is best spent for me in the gym. It frees up my mind and gets me ready for that next round.

I like to prepare my daily to do list the night before, while my memory is still fresh from current day's activities. And though I am an IT guy, I still print my daily list and place it right next to my keyboard so I can always see it.

reminders are helpfull to keep on track. I especialy appreciate #2 as I do have a problem with that, I simply loose track of time when I really getting into something. And then 4 or 5 other tasks don't get done at all.

Good writing too. I like how you use a metaphoric method to describe the main CPU, Us . People do tend to forget themselves from time to time. Funny though, inspite of IT people seemly getting a bad rap for being out of shape, or even fat (the sterotypes) it's amazing how many are total fitness freeks. -d

edited to add: I hope you won't mind if I pass this around a bit. -d

I'd be very happy for you to pass this around to others. I'd appreciate it if you would include the URL to the original post: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/project-management/?p=193

Do not be afraid to get a second or third pair of eyes to look at something you are doing in a project. There may be a better way to do something.

Otherwise, you are right. Do not try and do too many things at once; focus and get one task done at a time as quickly as possible (accuracy counts as well).

Absolutely right, Michael -- I'll admit, one of my weaknesses is trying too long to solve a problem before bringing someone else in to help, when I could often save time by bringing them in sooner.

There is something about a "problem" that needs to be "solved" that puts my mind on a single track... even when it's not my job to solve it, I'll sometimes jump into that mode before I know what I'm doing! And it's often hard to let go when I just can't figure out the solution.

must be productive

I just have to say I agree and ditto.....