Time Management: The Secret to Getting Things Done

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system developed by Francesco Cirillo who based his theory on the normal productive work span of a human being and Francesco’s kitchen timer — which was a large red tomato (pomodoro in Italian).

We have used the system this fall as we have collaborated on our books. It has been especially help over the holidays when time is so stretched.  It is so simple:

• Set the timer for 25 minutes.
  
• Work until the bell goes off.
  
• Take a five minute break.

Some days I feel like I can’t complete an entire chapter or even a page.  When I think about just writing for the next twenty-five minutes, I can do that.

By breaking down our work into manageable chunks we conserve our energy and are more likely to keep working.

At the end of the day when we’re tired and ready to pack up and one of us will say, “Oh, let’s do one more Pomodoro on the third chapter.” We set the timer and keep going.

There are lots of helpful apps that you can use to manage your time with the Pomodoro Technique but the small tomato timers that we found at World Market appealed to our sense of fun.

That little pop of red beside my computer reminds me that I don’t have to make any decisions about the rest of my life right now.  I only need to decide how I will spend the next twenty-five minutes.

I can do that!

Happy Writing!

Be strong and do the work.

1 Chronicles 28:10

Writing With Generosity

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Yesterday I read an article listing the ten best Christmas gifts for writers.  Pens and markers, Starbucks gift cards, back and neck massage — all good.  This brought to mind the story of Harper Lee and an article that she wrote for McCall’s magazine in 1961 describing her best Christmas gift.    She was staying with her friends in New York for the holidays.  Christmas morning she was surprised by their gift to her.  In a simple envelope on a slip of paper was written:

“You have one year off from your job to write whatever you please. Merry Christmas.”

The family providing the gift was not wealthy, they were raising young children. In their gift they gave a young writer hope and encouragement. Who can measure the impact on hearts around the world of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Harper Lee reflects on the gift:

“Outside, snow was falling, an odd event for a New York Christmas. I went to the window, stunned by the day’s miracle. Christmas trees blurred softly across the street, and firelight made the children’s shadows dance on the wall beside me. A full, fair chance for a new life. Not given me by an act of generosity, but by an act of love.”

What can we offer this Christmas?

Our best gifts are given not as acts of generosity but as acts of love.

Merry Christmas, The Writing Sisters

“And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest.

They are the magi.”

- O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi”

Reading Madeleine L’Engle

 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

…I believe that each work of art, whether it is a work of great genius, or something very small, comes to the artist and says, “Here I am. Enflesh me. Give birth to me.” And the artist either says, “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” and willingly becomes the bearer of the work, or refuses; but the obedient response is not necessarily a conscious one, and not everyone has the humble, courageous obedience of Mary.

Madeleine L’Engle

Writing With Healing

The rat pushed the paper away from him wearily, but the discreet Mole took the occasion to leave the room, and when he returned again sometime later, the Rat was absorbed and deaf to the world alternately scribbling and sucking the top of his pencil.  It is true that he sucked a good deal more than he scribbled; but it was a joy to know that the cure had at least begun.

Kenneth Grahame – The Wind in the Willows

Writing can heal the writer.  When we share our stories, we share our hurts and pains and let light into the dark places.

As a counselor I worked with women who had experienced grief.  Nothing was more powerful in healing than the sharing of their stories often in the form of letters to the lost loved one.  In the writing and sharing was healing for the writer.  In the telling of stories came understanding and connection and often the beginning of the healing process.

Journaling is a tool for understanding confusing emotions and clarifying hurtful thoughts. Naming the pain through words is hard but important in moving forward. Naming the joys helps us fully appreciate our blessings.

Writers have the unique occupation that brings constant revelation and introspection that can cause understanding and healing in the writer. My writing shows me what I think and helps me to understand my life.

When we write, we are changed.

Have you been healed or changed by your own writing?

Betsy Duffey  writingsisters.com

Writing With Soup!

I always write better when dinner is cooking in the crock pot. This is Laurie’s recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.   Like all of her recipes, so easy and so good.

 

Laurie’s Chicken Tortilla Soup

Combine in a crock pot:

 1 jar of mild salsa (64 oz)

2 cans black beans drained

2 cans yellow corn drained

2 chicken breasts.

Cook all day on low.

Before serving remove chicken breasts and shred the meat.  Add the chicken back to the soup.

Stir in one 8 oz brick of cream cheese. Yum.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy.  Mine is already cooking.

Betsy, writingsisters.com