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One of my favorite tools in my productivity toolbox for getting started on things I don’t particularly feel like doing is the inverse pomodoro. It’s basically what it sounds like: a timed work/break cycle, but the work and break times are reversed from a normal pomodoro. I usually set a 5 minute timer, do some work, and then do something relaxing or fun for 15 minutes. I usually find that after doing that once or twice, it’s pretty easy to flip to normal pomodoros.
Also, this is not my original idea. I read it somewhere on social media from someone talking about dealing with their ADHD. But I’ve totally forgotten who or what platform that was, so if anyone has a link to the original I’d love to attribute credit where it’s due.
Sometimes, if the task is really onerous, I’ll do the normal 5 work/15 fun split, but at the end of the 5 I’ll add another 5 if I’m feeling up for it. That way it’s like slowly flipping from inverse pomodoro to regular.
@while1malloc0 here's a somewhat similar one, also from ADHD literature: find a rewarding activity with a built-in waiting period, during which you commit to productive work.
The example from the book is doing a cleaning chore while waiting for water to boil for tea. I find it super effective!
@triplenineteen Oh interesting, I didn’t know that was a technique from ADHD literature. I do that in the mornings while I wait for the kettle to boil for my coffee, and agree it’s a super effective way to use time. I’ve actually been enjoying making French press coffee recently because it has so many little waiting periods to do some tidying.
@while1malloc0 I first heard about it from How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis.
@triplenineteen Oh cool, I actually happen to have a copy of that on the bookshelf that’s right next to me. I still haven’t read it yet, but this is encouraging me to.