Noeska Smit

Productivity

On Projects, Procrastination and probably more things that start with a p ;)

Noeska Smit

Why?I was working all day,

but what did I actually achieve?

I should really finish this report, but let me just

check facebook instead…

What’s a realistic planning for this

publication?

So many things to do, what should I do first?

Such PhD Many year

How planning? Wow!

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Project Management

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Getting Things Done (GTD)1. Capture2. Clarify3. Organize4. Reflect5. Engage

http://hamberg.no/gtd/

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Getting Things Done (GTD)• Five lists:

1. In2. Next Actions3. Waiting for4. Projects5. Some day/maybe

• Calendar:– For date-sensitive items

• Contexts: – Tags that indicate where items on the Next Actions list can

be performed– @home, @work, @computer

http://hamberg.no/gtd/

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Autofocus1. Write all tasks on separate lines in a notebook2. Go through your list and work on whatever jumps out

at you for as long as you like:– Cross it out– If it’s not done: re-enter it at the back of the list

3. Continue from your crossed off item and repeat step 2 for the same page

• Variation: select with a random number generator

http://markforster.squarespace.com/autofocus-system/

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Scrum• Iterative + incremental agile software development

framework for managing software projects and product or application development

• For teams/solo

https://www.scrum.org/

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Scrum• Sprint: – a time-box of one month or less during which a “Done”

product Increment is created

• Sprint planning: (product backlog -> current sprint)– What to deliver?– How will the work be achieved?

• Daily scrum:– What happened yesterday? (done)– What will I do today? (in progress)– Any obstacles to sprint goal?

• Sprint review (check done, adapt product backlog)

https://www.scrum.org/

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Scrum

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Scrum

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Scrum

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Procrastination

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Procrastination?• Procrastination is the action of delaying or

postponing something.• “Procrastination is the thief of time”– proverb: If you delay doing something, it will take longer to

do later on

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• http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html

• http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/11/how-to-beat-procrastination.html

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Pomodoro Technique

http://pomodorotechnique.com/

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Three Tasks a Day• Start the workday by:

1. Selecting three tasks you want to complete that day

2. Posting them to your desk

3. Completing the tasks one by one and removing the posts as you complete them

http://noeskasmit.com/three-tasks-day-keeps-procrastination-away/

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The Rule of Three• Write down:– Three outcomes for the day– Three outcomes for the week– Three outcomes for month– Three outcomes for the year

http://gettingresults.com/wiki/The_Rule_of_3

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Tools of the Trade

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Evernote• Cross-platform software (browser, stand-alone, apps)• Remember everything• Store and retrieve information in nested notebooks

• Useful for:– Lab journal– Meeting minutes– Ideas– Conference summaries– Travel information

http://evernote.com/

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Todoist• Task management software (browser, apps)

• Useful for:– To do list keeping– Recurring tasks– Date-sensitive tasks– Task sharing– GTD

http://todoist.com

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Trello• Organizing software (browser, apps)• Lists of cards

• Useful for:– Planning– Reviewing student work with a group– Scrum (with the Scrum for Trello plug-in)

http://trello.com

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HabitRPG• Habit building software (browser, apps)• Gamify your life with a classic RPG-type • Level up as you succeed, lose HP as you fail, earn

money to buy weapons and armor, compete with your friends.

• Useful for:– Habit building– Tasks – Daily task checklist

http://habitrpg.com

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Final Tips• Doing the right things vs. doing the things right:– Perfect task management filled with tasks that don’t

matter?

• Productivity methods can harm productivity:– Don’t fall into the trap of finding the perfect method at the

cost of getting actual work done

Noeska Smit

Questions?

How can anyone enjoy things like this?

Where are the cool medical pictures during

my lunch?

Seriously?