Tuxedo Cat started this on the old forums with the following:
Quote"Here's the basic purpose of this thread: we all have Dreaded Tasks that we assiduously avoid or that drag out for hours and hours when we finally get to them. My primary Dreaded Task at every waking moment of my life is grading papers. Yours may be finishing comments on a dissertation chapter, editing a ms, returning to that dusty draft to revise for publication. Abstractly we all know that common antidotes to procrastination are accountability and structure. So that's what we're trying out here with this "work-sprint" thread.
If you want to participate, simply sign on to the thread by identifying
(a) your Dreaded Task work goals for the session and
(b) your chosen time frame(s) for completing tasks
Then you sign back in at the end of each "sprint" of work you complete"
It morphed over time into including a posting of scary lists that had to be triaged and checked off. That thread worked miracles for me many times. I
really need that discipline now for my job hunt. I
hate job hunting and everything related to it. The I get home from current brain-numbing job that makes time crawl, I want to goof off. That is not an option.
In-person accountability groups don't work for me. I want to chat and hang with friends, and while that is great, I need to actually get moving on this. I need some discipline and am hoping that there are one or two others around who could use the peer pressure, too.
Tomorrow:
- Triage the paper
mountain (I confess it is a laundry basket full of all sorts of stuff, not just paper, just 95% paper) and develop a plan for it. Ignoring it is not an option. - Grocery shopping
- Develop a specific plan for job search tasks this week. What will I make myself do each day?
- Write R&A for 30 minutes.
- Walk 1 mile at Planet Fitness
- Update YNAB
I already want to cut the list in half. <sob>
I'm in. I can't face listing everything, but I can do one at a time.
(a) Dreaded Task Goal: Get the new simulations running.
(b) Time Frame: No one will bother me at the office tomorrow so I have to go in and have something in the queue by noon.
Tomorrow:
Triage the paper mountain (I confess it is a laundry basket full of all sorts of stuff, not just paper, just 95% paper) and develop a plan for it. Ignoring it is not an option.
Grocery shopping
Develop a specific plan for job search tasks this week. What will I make myself do each day?
Write R&A for 30 minutes.
Walk 1 mile at Planet Fitness
Update YNAB
Dyed Bioette's hair
Cleaned out fridge
Laundry
Worked 90 minutes on resume, which is necessary but not what I planned.
Overall, I call this a win. How did you do, Polly?
This evening:
Grade another 10 papers. (I did 16)
Grade 10 tests.
Design an alternative test for those who were absent.
Tomorrow:
Finish grading all papers.
Finish grading all tests.
Generate lecture slides.
EDIT: Whelp. Tomorrow's work-sprint list is looking a lot bigger now. Still, it's more important to get those essays done, and they're a giant pain.
Welcome do productive hell, Parasaurolophus. May your stay be less miserable due to good company and crossed off items on your to-do list. :-)
Oh, these are crazy-motivating. It's a bit of an art-form to craft a list that has enough doable stuff that I can cross some things off by the end of the day, and yet still be meaningful enough to push me to get non-busy-trivial stuff done.
Let's start small here. Accomplishing everything would be a ton, but in the realm of possibility. Accomplishing half is a reasonable expectation for today.
Admin
-Fill in people on what they missed at the important once-a-year meeting that I attended on their behalf
-Update the Level 1 handbook and draft cat-herding email for Level 1 faculty
Research
-Read that article
-Get the (re)analysis of Experiment 2 in order
-Finish discussion of Experiment 1
My list that must be completed by 9am tomorrow (hopefully it's in the spirit of this threat; I do feel like I'm in a sprint):
1. teach today's class (3 hours)
2. finish creating tomorrow's test
3. Upload test to PITA CMS
4. create lecture/in-class activity for tomorrow's class
5. create paper rubric
6. grade 20 papers
7. Do 1 quick admin thingy
8. Ignore all other student emergencies / admin thingies until 1-7 are done.
Quote from: ergative on June 17, 2019, 02:08:31 AM
...It's a bit of an art-form to craft a list that has enough doable stuff that I can cross some things off by the end of the day, and yet still be meaningful enough to push me to get non-busy-trivial stuff done.
So true. Getting the quality and quantity of list items just right is key. Long lists can be self-defeating. I do best with shorter lists. Can always add an item later -- and cross it off as complete.
My latest trick is this:
- Make a long list of all the things I have to do, broken into reasonable chunks.
- Number them.
- Take a break.
- Look at the clock. Whatever the last numeral is on the clock corresponds to the item I have to do. If it's 12:56 I do item # 6. If I am looping through and have already done # 6 I go to # 16 on the list.
- After, decide to take a break or check the clock again and pick another item.
Strangely, it works. I don't have the option of talking myself out of something, and I don't get overwhelmed with what is more/less important, pressing, etc. Stuff just gets done.
Quote from: ergative on June 17, 2019, 02:08:31 AM
Admin
Fill in people on what they missed at the important once-a-year meeting that I attended on their behalf
Update the Level 1 handbook and draft cat-herding email for Level 1 faculty
Last-minute meeting and proposal about converting exam scores to letter grades <- that was sprung on me and ate up an unexpected chunk of today
Research
-Read that article
-Get the (re)analysis of Experiment 2 in order
-Finish discussion of Experiment 1
Welcome, fellow sprinters!
I love the idea of using the clock on a numbered list, Ciao_yall. Long lists, short lists, lists of just one item... it doesn't matter. This is an equal opportunity for suffering thread. We're miserable, but getting shit done, which makes us less miserable.
Tonight:
20 minutes on YNAB
30 minutes on resume.
If I get both done, I will be satisfied.
Resume work, here I come.
Quote from: polly_mer on June 15, 2019, 05:43:16 PM
I'm in. I can't face listing everything, but I can do one at a time.
(a) Dreaded Task Goal: Get the new simulations running.
(b) Time Frame: No one will bother me at the office tomorrow so I have to go in and have something in the queue by noon.
I didn't make noon, but those new simulations are in the queue.
Next task: Review that paper by 10 AM tomorrow.
Hour of resume work. None on YNAB. I call it a win.
Good job, Polly!
Quote from: OneMoreYear on June 17, 2019, 05:18:31 AM
My list that must be completed by 9am tomorrow (hopefully it's in the spirit of this threat; I do feel like I'm in a sprint):
1. teach today's class (3 hours)
2. finish creating tomorrow's test
3. Upload test to PITA CMS
4. create lecture/in-class activity for tomorrow's class
5. create paper rubric
6. grade 20 papers
7. Do 1 quick admin thingy
8. Ignore all other student emergencies / admin thingies until 1-7 are done. [Nope, caught in a meeting + 3 new admin thingy's for tomorrow]
Hmm, well the grading's not going to happen, but since my evaluations were already going to be horrible in this class, I suppose I'm giving up and going to bed. Must reconceptualize grading timelines next I teach this in accelerated format.
By Wednesday
1. teach class
2. create paper rubric
3. grade 20 papers
4. lecture on
that topic
5. 3 admin thingies
6. run those analyses
7. revise that journal submission
8. update CV to begin job search (I'm with you bioteacher, job searching = hate)
I like the clock trick. Going to give that a go tomorrow.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 16, 2019, 07:04:29 PM
Finish grading all papers.
Finish grading all tests.
Generate lecture slides.
Design an alternative test for those who were absent.
Oof. This has been an awful day. Tomorrow morning, I make the slides pretty and write up two new tests.
Well, I though that I'd finished all my Level 1 admin stuff from yesterday, but noooooo. Here's today's list:
-Clean up L1 folder on network drive
-Send out grader-wrangling email
-Send out tasks-and-deadlines email
-Build quizzes on CMS
I don't miss grading!
Tonight:
at least 20 minutes on YNAB
at least 30 minutes on resume.
Set up meeting with C.
at least 20 minutes on YNAB
at least 30 minutes on resume.
Set up meeting with C.
I'm fried, tired, and done with today.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 17, 2019, 11:32:43 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on June 16, 2019, 07:04:29 PM
Finish grading all papers.
Finish grading all tests.
Generate lecture slides.
Design an alternative test for those who were absent.
Oof. This has been an awful day. Tomorrow morning, I make the slides pretty and write up two new tests.
Not a sprint question, but related to time use: Why are you having to give alternative tests?
Or, rather, why are people skipping the real one?
There are other ways to adjust for this, but creating more tests is teaching them they can come up with excuses, take longer to study, and make you do more work....not the best use of your time unless your school requires it.
Just wondering...
M.
Right now I feel as though I'm a runner trying to avoid the obstacles being placed in my lane in the moment.
(Back to work, Paul! Today's self-imposed limit of postings on thefora has been reached!)
Paul, watch out for the angry mob with pointy objects running behind us.
Mamselle, good catch! Now I want to know the answer, too.
Work on YNAB.
Make appointment for B.
Icky job search tasks.
Quote from: mamselle on June 18, 2019, 08:44:28 PM
Not a sprint question, but related to time use: Why are you having to give alternative tests?
Or, rather, why are people skipping the real one?
There are other ways to adjust for this, but creating more tests is teaching them they can come up with excuses, take longer to study, and make you do more work....not the best use of your time unless your school requires it.
Just wondering...
M.
A number of my students have been laid low by communicable illnesses, and one by a dental emergency. I could have them complete the same test as everyone else once they're better, but they're more prone to cheating than I'm used to (all my students here are from a country with a very different academic culture, and their old habits resurface now and again).
Makes sense, but I'd set it up so one midterm can be missed and dropped from the grading if needed. Too much work for you and most students track the same on all their tests; it's not like D students suddenly learn to be A students after being sic.
All right, the semester is finally officially over. Here's today's list of tasks:
-Do that analysis of conversion scales
-Read student's lit review
-Fix that letter
-Work on Discussion of Exp. 1
I just finished a 6 day work week that included working the late shift, which totally destroys all productivity. The 12 hr day Sunday was a rough start to a brutal week.
For the weekend:
Nap
Local taxes for Bioson (I started and didn't finish filing. That's on me; oops)
Job application done
Change bed
Grocery trip
Paperwork mountain tamed
For the weekend:
Nap
Local taxes for Bioson (I started and didn't finish filing. That's on me; oops)
Job application done
Change bed
Grocery trip
Paperwork mountain tamed
Progress has been made.
Bioette is at Camp. Bioson is back at school. The house is empty and quiet except for Biodad.
The paperwork mountain is 1/3 tamed.
Today:
* Install the program I need for tomorrow's workshop
* Finish up incorporating the notes for the pull request and resubmit PR
* Outline the report due at FY end
Quote from: polly_mer on August 11, 2019, 05:45:01 AM
Today:
* Install the program I need for tomorrow's workshop
* Finish up incorporating the notes for the pull request and resubmit PR
* Outline the report due at FY end
* Sigh heavily upon realizing that I need additional prep for tomorrow's workshop and work on that.
Quote from: polly_mer on August 11, 2019, 09:41:18 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on August 11, 2019, 05:45:01 AM
Today:
* Install the program I need for tomorrow's workshop
* Finish up incorporating the notes for the pull request and resubmit PR
* Outline the report due at FY end
* Sigh heavily upon realizing that I need additional prep for tomorrow's workshop and work on that.
1 more French and
2 Latin translations to do for friend.
French
Latin 1
Latin 2
Go!
M.
I am doing to spend the next 45 minutes (until 7:30) working on dreaded task #1.
Then I am going to catch up paperwork for 15 minutes.
1 more French and
2 Latin translations to do for friend.
French - 2/3 done, cafe closing, more at home...
Latin 1
Latin 2
Go!
I also forgot: Have to transform 6 listed items into separate pages for printing
1
2
3
4
5
6
M.
Go, Mamselle!
I got my two tasks done, and a bit more. That's it for today.
1 more French and
2 Latin translations to do for friend.
French - 2/3 done, cafe closing, more at home...
Latin 1
Latin 2
Go!
I also forgot: Have to transform 6 listed items into separate pages for printing
1
2
3
4
5
6
M.
The commute is super-long today, because I had to hold more office hours before the exam, so I got stuck in rush-hour traffic on the bus. I'm too wiped after a 12-hour day to do much more for a few hours. When I finally get home, though, I have to put together a final exam by sometime relatively early tomorrow morning. So:
I sent out the 6 items at 2 AM then did some work this afternoon on the Latin piece, but not enough yet to really cross anything off so far.
"Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow..."
M.
Quote from: mamselle on August 13, 2019, 08:35:23 PM
I sent out the 6 items at 2 AM then did some work this afternoon on the Latin piece, but not enough yet to really cross anything off so far.
"Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow..."
M.
Yep.
Although today's work-sprint will not address any of the remaining items from Sunday, but is instead a different, long-hanging task for which the deadline is looming.
* Do whatever is necessary (within the bounds of legal, ethical, and moral) to get that simulation set running to produce useful data. Phone a friend. Poll the audience. Go visit every office of everyone who works on this code who might know the magical incantations. Get it running!
Feeling manic these days. So, today:
- Revise (and maybe even resubmit) one article.
- Send Those Dreaded Emails To Potential Contributors
1 more French and
2 Latin translations to do for friend.
French - 4/5 done, my later cafe is now closing, more at home... First pass on full text done, need to look up oddities.
Latin 1
Latin 2
Go!
M.
I spent another hour on the dreaded task. Such fun!
But I did it.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 14, 2019, 11:05:31 AM
Feeling manic these days. So, today:
Revise (and maybe even resubmit) one article.Send Those Dreaded Emails To Potential Contributors
Forgot to cross these off yesterday. I even R&Red (in the sense of what I did, not of the verdict) two articles!
Over the weekend:
- Mark the final exams.
- Manually enter the grades for every assignment... twice... *cough* *splutter* agh wtf argh! (this has to be on Monday, though)
- Revise and submit a third article.
And by the end of August:
- Finish migrating content from postdoc email to new email
- Clear out the new inbox, which already has pages and pages of emails.
1 Dreaded Task: Finishing the syllabus for my new prep.
2 Realistic Plan: Finish it on Sunday, when no one is in the Department but me.
OT: This is my very first post. I'm usually funnier.
Welcome, Bede. We don't expect humor here. This thread is about getting crap done.
So far today: got home from late shift after midnight, got Bioson to DMV where he passed and finally has a license. Dinner prep is now underway.
I cannot face the rest of my list. Despite operating at reasonable efficiency, visiting the DMV, and making the entire trek in a car with out working AC has sapped my will to live. I feel like I have remerged from an alternate dimension where time flows differently.
I abso-friggin-lutely need to write that one invited paper I've gotten two extensions on already by the end of the month... really end of next week because of impending camping trip which can't be pushed back more than a few days.
I will lock myself in in my office and just write it. There is no other option.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 16, 2019, 10:26:49 AM
Over the weekend:
Mark the final exams.- Manually enter the grades for every assignment... twice... *cough* *splutter* agh wtf argh! (this has to be on Monday, though)
- Revise and submit a third article.
And by the end of August:
Finish migrating content from postdoc email to new emailClear out the new inbox, which already has pages and pages of emails.
Well. Win some, lose some. As long as that article's done by the end of the month, really.
Stuck. Need to do more.
Will try tonight...
1 more French and
2 Latin translations to do for friend.
French - 4/5 done, my later cafe is now closing, more at home... First pass on full text done, need to look up oddities.
Latin 1
Latin 2
Go!
M.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 18, 2019, 05:18:53 PM
Over the weekend:
Mark the final exams.Manually enter the grades for every assignment... twice... *cough* *splutter* agh wtf argh! (this has to be on Monday, though)- Revise and submit a third article.
And by the end of August:
Finish migrating content from postdoc email to new emailClear out the new inbox, which already has pages and pages of emails.
Why do we have to do it that way? Nobody knows, but the groans and moans from new faculty offices today sure sounded like the zombie apocalypse.
One to go! I had tea this morning, so I might just be good to get the last item pretty much done today, too. Let's see.
Quote from: bioteacher on August 17, 2019, 01:20:01 PM
Welcome, Bede. We don't expect humor here. This thread is about getting crap done.
Thanks for the welcome, bioteacher!
As for getting crap done, I'm super awesome at doing crap.
Abstract, introduction, and first section pretty much done, albeit with a lot of heavy editing and adding references later. Tomorrow I write about stuff I've working on for over a decade, should be a piece of cake, yeah, right.
I might get more stuff done if I wasn't spending so much time in the car. I'm glad Bioett has friends and gets to see them. But I am getting tired of driving so much to pick her up and bring her home.
Tomorrow: Call 2 places about appointment I need to make.
1 more French - done and sent, and it sounds like it's on track.
0 Latin translations to do -- friend doesn't need those...
Whew.
Ok, back to my regularly-scheduled "other work," which is somewhat done, but not as much as I'd like.
M.
Quote from: fast_and_bulbous on August 17, 2019, 02:01:18 PM
I abso-friggin-lutely need to write that one invited paper I've gotten two extensions on already by the end of the month... really end of next week because of impending camping trip which can't be pushed back more than a few days.
I will lock myself in in my office and just write it. There is no other option.
And that is what I did. Unfortunately worked over the weekend but it was submitted Saturday. Now to get ready for that conference in Italy (sucks to be me)...
Quote from: polly_mer on August 14, 2019, 04:51:42 AM
* Do whatever is necessary (within the bounds of legal, ethical, and moral) to get that simulation set running to produce useful data. Phone a friend. Poll the audience. Go visit every office of everyone who works on this code who might know the magical incantations. Get it running!
Those simulations are running and producing useful data.
Next up: Write the doggone report using those data and it has to be done this week.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 19, 2019, 04:09:19 PM
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on August 18, 2019, 05:18:53 PM
Over the weekend:
Mark the final exams.Manually enter the grades for every assignment... twice... *cough* *splutter* agh wtf argh! (this has to be on Monday, though)Revise and submit a third article.
And by the end of August:
Finish migrating content from postdoc email to new emailClear out the new inbox, which already has pages and pages of emails.
Finally got it done. Sheesh.
Quote from: fast_and_bulbous on August 17, 2019, 02:01:18 PM
I abso-friggin-lutely need to write that one invited paper I've gotten two extensions on already by the end of the month... really end of next week because of impending camping trip which can't be pushed back more than a few days.
I will lock myself in in my office and just write it. There is no other option.
Update: Paper was written, reviewed, and is now actually published and available to the world. From conception to publication in six weeks. I love open access journals.
To get paid, I have to work from home and get deliverables done. Reviving this thread for the support group for others in that boat.
This morning:
- Find out what functions have to go in the script.
- Write the script to extract the data.
- Put the data into a useful table.
- Send the table to colleague who needs it
Go!
Thanks for digging out this thread.
I need it, too.
Job: Minutes: 3 check-ins on inaudible voices and their content from the tape (1 today, maybe?)
Finish those, send out final version with Action Items; maybe term limits protocol page
More work on financials, list exceptions, request missing backup, enter and link
My real work: Keep tracking missing 18th c. documents for gravestone paper #1; find, finish, send.
Finish downloading photos from trip: file, sort, and insert in pprs and Ppts as needed
Finish St. Michel Chapel ppr, send for friends' comments, incorporate, revise, send out
Block out writing time for longer projects; triage, get order and planning firmly in mind
Teaching: Do a 6-months plan w/students, parents: create a "contract" so all agree on goals, strategies, methods.
Figure out more online options, get all music together, get more lighting so I'm not a "Zoombie"!
Life: Clean, clear, room at a time, day at a time.
M.
For today:
- Evaluate editorial candidates.
- Record lecture. Two if I'm feeling good.
- Check chapter proofs.
- Upholster cat shelf.
Before you're allowed to sign off on that last one, we'll need to see a paw print....
;--}
M.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 24, 2020, 09:33:33 AM
For today:
- Evaluate editorial candidates.
Record lecture. Two if I'm feeling good.Check chapter proofs.Upholster cat shelf.
Quote from: mamselle on March 24, 2020, 10:08:00 AM
Before you're allowed to sign off on that last one, we'll need to see a paw print....
;--}
M.
If I only had the power to attach pictures, I would!
I'll edit the post if I manage any more. Maybe the proofs...
People used to open a Photobucket account in the name of their forum moniker and use that to link to pictures....
M.
Quote from: polly_mer on March 24, 2020, 07:47:56 AMThis morning:
- Find out what functions have to go in the script.
Amended to "Write to colleagues with the highest likelihood of knowing how to put the functions in action because this very common set of tasks is apparently yet another situation in which I am the first person in the 20+ year history of the program to ever need to do it and therefore the manuals and all the other documentation need no examples for the kinds of things people actually do."
I can tell you exactly how to use every function after a day of reading. It is completely unclear how to string those functions together to do what I need it to do. It's as if someone wrote individual task instructions on how to open/close the refrigerator; spread mayonnaise, salad dressing, ranch dressing, butter, and even grape jelly; bake bread using the oven, bread maker, or outside solar oven; cut tomatoes including cases of cherry, grape, and freeze-dried; fry, bake, or microwave bacon; address the lettuce question; and cut the crusts off a sandwich, but never thought that someone would want to make a BLT using those steps.
Grr!
Most MSOffice instructions strike me that way.
Silage from sixteen different sources dumped in a field for mixing.
M.
Quote from: mamselle on March 25, 2020, 12:53:21 AM
People used to open a Photobucket account in the name of their forum moniker and use that to link to pictures....
M.
Good idea! Perhaps later.
For today (although I know I can't do it all):
- Evaluate editorial candidates
- Record a lecture
- Prep another lecture
- Finish reading article to referee
- Mark outstanding quizzes from before the pandemic hit
Quote from: polly_mer on March 25, 2020, 05:22:04 AM
Quote from: polly_mer on March 24, 2020, 07:47:56 AMThis morning:
- Find out what functions have to go in the script.
Amended to "Write to colleagues with the highest likelihood of knowing how to put the functions in action because this very common set of tasks is apparently yet another situation in which I am the first person in the 20+ year history of the program to ever need to do it and therefore the manuals and all the other documentation need no examples for the kinds of things people actually do."
I can tell you exactly how to use every function after a day of reading. It is completely unclear how to string those functions together to do what I need it to do. It's as if someone wrote individual task instructions on how to open/close the refrigerator; spread mayonnaise, salad dressing, ranch dressing, butter, and even grape jelly; bake bread using the oven, bread maker, or outside solar oven; cut tomatoes including cases of cherry, grape, and freeze-dried; fry, bake, or microwave bacon; address the lettuce question; and cut the crusts off a sandwich, but never thought that someone would want to make a BLT using those steps.
Grr!
Done! It turns out that "everyone" knows that opening the refrigerator includes getting all the ingredients stored there so that's not a separate thing.
Quote from: Parasaurolophus on March 25, 2020, 09:54:46 AM
For today (although I know I can't do it all):
Evaluate editorial candidatesRecord a lecturePrep another lectureFinish reading article to referee- Mark outstanding quizzes from before the pandemic hit
Okay, reviving this thread here.
Need to:
Class A:
>Has a bow on it!
Class B:
>Load SLO's (blerg) as soon as our magic technical people figure out why I can't seem to do so.
Class C:
> Complete grading final papers
> Grade final exams
> Post grades
> Post SLOs
Class D:
> Grade final papers
> Grade final exams
> Post grades
> Post SLOs
Reviving this thread since several folks are getting crunched-up on grading and other tasks...
M.