January Goals – PLAN, FOCUS, GROWTH – using the Pomodoro Method

Everyone is going on about resolutions, goals and plans for 2019.  As I’ve said before I don’t do resolutions, rather I make small, incremental changes, and focus on achievable goals.  Despite having a horrid cold, I am working my way through my YearCompass document where I Close 2018 Plan 2019,  which I discussed earlier this week on the blog. I thought I’d write about the main tool I use for time management and focus, the Pomodoro Method.  This was a developed in the 1980s by Francisco Cirillo which involves focusing for 25 minutes on a task followed a three to five-minute break. I’ve also written up my goals for January, I need to write detailed goals to be accountable to myself using SMART objectives.

I wrote about how to set your SMART Goals back November – Here’s a summary of how I’ve been getting on so far: 

• November goals – consolidating learning, balance – My post will also help you set YOUR OWN SMART GOALS.
• December 2018 – Smart Goals – focus, reflect, relax
• Three Vases – Three goals-in 2019 using CompassYear
  • Download your own CompassYear Close 2018 Plan 2019 – www.yearcompass.com
    – 2 million downloads – it’s backed up by psychological research.

A reminder:

• Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bound (i.e.What is the deadline or timeline for your goal?)

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Pomodoro Method

I use the Pomodoro method – write a list of what you need to get done that day – and start with the most important thing.  Focus on doing this one thing!  This is a timed 25-minute work session and then a timed three to five-minute break. Mark these sessions on paper using the five-gate method.  Then every four or five 25 minute sessions you have a longer timed break (15-20 minutes).  I turn my notifications off if I’m working on the computer or put my phone down somewhere else.  The method works for me because I am getting a reward for doing something.   It is surprising how long 25 minutes is and you’ll be surprised what you can achieve in the time.

The Pomodoro method is named because Francisco Cirillo used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer – I don’t use a kitchen timer using my phone alarm instead.   There are a number of apps around which use the method but I’ve not used any so I can’t recommend any I’m afraid.  You can find out more about the Pomodoro Method from the man himself:

• Pomodoro Method by Francisco Cirillo (pdf)

Pomodoro Method with a chronic illness

I use the Pomodoro Method for everything I want to achieve – I use it for doing the washing up, tidying the kitchen, putting clothes away, tidying a draw, gardening.   Remember –  using the Pomodoro method doesn’t have to be computer based 🙂  I find physically noting down the focused work time and timed breaks helps me.

When I am feeling very unwell with pain and/or fatigue I shorten the time to work (I’ve gone down to five minutes before now) and keep the breaks the same and only do three sessions.  I find it a good way of managing my limited energy while rewarding myself for achieving something.  It’s important to have a timed break too – and a longer break every four sessions.  I use other management techniques all the time so I’ll write about them another time.

I’m using the Pomodoro method to write this blog post 🙂

Do you use the Pomodoro Method? How do you find it? Do you use another time management or focusing system? 

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My SMART goals for January 2019:

In the Garden:

• Pruning and tiding the garden – if we’re at home and it’s dry – get outside for half an hour at least.
• Pick and order some new shrubs for the garden – inc bush rose.

Photography:

a. Lensbaby Learning:

I think my Lensbaby photos are coming along well –

• Twist gives you a large sharp central area of focus surrounded by twisty, swirling effect (called bokeh)
• Velvet has a sharp central area of focus with delicate glow/blur from edge-to-edge – the photos look like impressionist paintings
• Sweet creates a sharp central sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradually increasing blur to the edge of the frame.

My Goals for January 

• Take some more indoor shots with the Lensbaby Trio 28
• Outdoor shots if it is sunny – around Chester and in London.
• Using Trio 28 for In a Vase on Monday shots – in progress

Here are some photographs I’ve taken with the Lensbaby Trio during December – I think I’m getting the hang of the lens in bright sunshine 😉

My neighbour’s Christmas tree in the front garden – lit by the street light – Lensbaby Trio 28 – sweet

Packet House (1760 Grade 1 listed) Bridgewater Canal – Lensbaby Trio 28 – sweet effect

Reminder: these photos are my copyright and not to be used without permission

b.Standard DSLR:

My Goals for January:

• It has turned cold this week in Manchester so I’m hoping to take some more Winter shots.
• Do one flat lay Winter styling photoshoot and Canva edits for SM – I did a flat lay for my latest In a Vase on Monday – three vases, three goals – see above 

c. Social media/ Editing software:

I didn’t get anywhere with this in at the end of the year, as other activities were more important.

• Carried over from December Prepare three social media template photos for use – e.g. leaves, bulbs coming up, winter shots.
• Pinterest – start the pinning training course I’ve identified.
• From November Add the Canva templates to my three most popular blog posts in the last quarter 2018 – and pin etc via schedulers.

On the blog:

a. Schedule

My goals for January:

• Write and photograph a Six on Saturday and In a Vase on Monday every week – contribute and promote link ups on Social Media –
• Once a week: write a blog post on ‘a walk around…’ or ‘visiting…’ or ‘a review of…
• Once a week: write a blog post on a business/photography topic – I
• Once a month: write a blog post about crafting – I’ve got the photos for a winter crafting just need to write it up.
• Once in the month: write a blog post on ‘living with osteoarthritis’ – I’ve got this in my drafts but need to find some photos, edit and publish.

b.Theme

• Carried over from December Identify, investigate and price a new theme – DONE IN JANUARY

I’ve done this!!!!! went live 12 January 2018 – What do you think? Let me know in the comments

c. General

• Reply to comments promptly and be a supportive and helpful blogger in blogging groups – ongoing
• Continue to engage on SM/using schedulers

I’m getting better at doing these things, so this is an ongoing goal.

Health and wellbeing:

• Continue to walk for at least one hour a day every day (in spite of the weather) – yes I managed this every day in November and December and so far in January too. 
• Attend at one (and preferably two yoga classes a week) – Yoga started 2nd January and I’ve been every week 🙂
• Attend Slimming world meetings every week (oops!) – Still not got back to slimming world – meal wise I’ve been doing fairly well though.

Working Life:

• Clarify working situations (A) and (B): this is in progress – Keep going Bec!
  – focusing on plan A at present coming along well, meeting targets/deadlines
  – plan B is coming together also    Note: part of this is out of my control.
• Follow up on networking connections – yes have meetings confirmed and action points planned/agreed.

Note: I have written a detailed plan for the two main areas of work I’m focusing at the moment but it’s not something I want to discuss on my blog at the moment – as pitching is involved 😉

Work/Life Balance:

• Invite three people to next Cottonopolis WI meeting in February (done)
• delegate weekly food/meal planning to my wonderful husband – we share cooking but he’s a better planner than me – this is going well 🙂 lots of new meals too 🙂
• One ‘date’ night a week with my husband – Scheduled in for January and February. We are going away for two weekends in January to Chester and London.

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Looking back over these – I think I need to be more time-bound/give myself deadlines – but this is all achievable in the month of January. Some of the photography goals are weather dependent, but that’s not in my control.

Mostly, I need to remind myself of all the things I achieved in 2018 – and even better things are coming in 2019. I’ll keep using the Pomodoro Method.

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Do you use the Pomodoro Method? What do you think? Do you use other time management methods? 

Do you set goals? Do you use SMART goals?

What do you have as a goal for January? Or do you go with the flow?

Photographers: Do you use any lens effects? Have you used Lensbaby lenses?

Carpe Diem,

love Bec xxx xxx