Get and stay in the flow!
Article#: 00033
Date: 2020-10-02
Author: Radim
Have a vision!
Get a clear picture of the project result.
Believe in the success of the project and look forward to achieving and experiencing it.
Work out a project plan.
Divide the project objectives into many small work packages.
Arrange the work packages in a meaningful order, taking into account the priorities and dependencies.
If an unpopular work package comes next, try to arrange a popular one afterwards to stay motivated and to be able to look forward.
Take the next work package, start working and fully concentrate on it.
For this moment you can leave the other work packages out of your head.
Their turn will be later.
Set a deadline by which the work package should be completed.
Still think about the clear picture of the project result.
Be aware of the importance of the work package you are working on.
Because it is critical to the success of the entire project.
If possible, don't let yourself be interrupted.
Bring your mind into thought flow!
Always have a piece of paper in front of you.
When you have a new idea, write it down.
As you are thinking about the next steps, write these thoughts down too ...
Write down everything that comes to your mind!
It's the best way not to lose ideas.
This way you can find a thread back to your thoughts after a random interruption.
At the end of the day, think about what you will be doing next day and write it down.
Go through your notes on the paper regularly and process the ideas.
If an idea is not related to the work package you are working on, write it down on the to-do list so that you can implement it later in another work package.
Don't leave the work package half-finished.
(You should only switch to another package if you can not continue with your current one.
For example, if you have to wait for something or someone.)
The work packages should be defined so small, that each package can be completed within a few days.
When the work package is done, return to the list of all work packages.
Add the paper notes to the list.
Sort the work packages in the list according to the current priorities and dependencies.
Take the next work package, start working and fully concentrate on it.
© Radim-Automation, 2020–2025. All rights reserved.
Sharing of this article is permitted with proper attribution (link to the original page).
Related previous articles:
- Stay alert!
- Ask questions!
- Assign tasks efficiently!
- Don't replace employees in the middle of the project!
- Develop a sense of responsibility!
- Get the things done with a small, motivated team!
- Focus on target!
- Think on paper!
- Multitasking is harmful
- Don't leave a work package half-finished!
- Success is not a matter of coincidence
- Follow the vision!
- From an idea to a consistent system
Related next articles:
- Realize every good idea ASAP!
- Keep the answers to the question "Why"
- Write a project diary!
- Don't make it worse!
- Define test scenarios and test cases continuously!
- Do the right things and do them right!
- Store email messages in the project folder!
- Do you really want to start with this?
- Is the way really the goal?
- Prepare a good project plan and keep it up to date!
- HMI and PLC applications should grow together
- Write down your best practices and processes!
- Set your goals for today, tommorow, this week ...
- Are the people planned for this task really available?
- Appoint a representative!
- Why do automation projects fail?
- Project leader
- Learn from your journey!
- Think critically!
- Are there also any disadvantages?
- A good concept = Complete set of suitable solutions
- Hardware concept
- Machine modularization
- Knowledge gained from a completed project is priceless
- Visual modeling
- Documentation issues
- Safety relays versus safety PLC
- My boss was a hero
Comment#: 00001
Date: 2020-11-05
User: Radim
I feel that my productivity improves if I leave my computer on overnight or on the weekend and don't have to reopen all the programs and documents I need the next morning.
Comment#: 00002
Date: 2022-10-22
User: Radim
"Don't prioritize with numbers or labels. Avoid saying, "This is high priority, this is low priority." Likewise, don't say, "This is a three, this is a two, this is a one, this is a three," etc. Do that and you'll almost always end up with a ton of really high-priority things. That's not really prioritizing. Instead, prioritize visually. Put the most important thing at the top. When you're done with that, the next thing on the list becomes the next most important thing. That way you'll only have a single next most important thing to do at a time. And that's enough."
- Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson. 37signals (2010). Rework.
Comment#: 00003
Date: 2022-10-22
User: Radim
"If you're constantly staying late and working weekends, it's not because there's too much work to be done. It's because you're not getting enough done at work. And the reason is interruptions.
You can't get meaningful things done when you're constantly going start, stop, start, stop.
Instead, you should get in the alone zone. Long stretches of alone time are when you're most productive. When you don't have to mind-shift between various tasks, you get a boatload done."
- Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson. 37signals (2010). Rework.
Comment#: 00004
Date: 2022-10-22
User: Radim
"Momentum fuels motivation. It keeps you going. It drives you. Without it, you can't go anywhere. If you aren't motivated by what you're working on, it won't be very good.
The way you build momentum is by getting something done and then moving on to the next thing. No one likes to be stuck on an endless project with no finish line in sight. Being in the trenches for nine months and not having anything to show for it is a real buzzkill. Eventually it just burns you out. To keep your momentum and motivation up, get in the habit of accomplishing small victories along the way. Even a tiny improvement can give you a good jolt of momentum.
The longer something takes, the less likely it is that you're going to finish it.
Excitement comes from doing something and then letting customers have at it.
So ask yourself, "What can we do in two weeks?" And then do it. Get it out there and let people use it, taste it, play it, or whatever."
- Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson. 37signals (2010). Rework.
Comment#: 00005
Date: 2022-12-01
User: Radim
"You need an overview of what's coming up in order to use your time and energy wisely. And you need the security that you don't forget anything important. That is immensely relaxing.
Therefore, collect all your tasks, appointments, information, ideas in writing. In writing, to clear your head. My absolute recommendation: Use only ONE single task list and not a Post-It here, a scrap of paper there, an Excel list there or an app."
Translated from:
- Gabriele Thies. 8 Wege, um deine Aufgaben sinnvoll zu strukturieren.
- https://www.gabrielethies.de/blog/aufgaben-sinnvoll-strukturieren
Comment#: 00006
Date: 2022-12-01
User: Radim
"It's better to break down the tasks into several smaller steps that you can complete. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to keep going. Too many open projects and "loose ends", on the other hand, cause conscious or unconscious stress and do not allow your brain to rest."
Translated from:
- Gabriele Thies. 8 Wege, um deine Aufgaben sinnvoll zu strukturieren.
- https://www.gabrielethies.de/blog/aufgaben-sinnvoll-strukturieren
Comment#: 00007
Date: 2022-12-02
User: Radim
"I also recommend that you always only plan for the coming week or the coming day. Your advantage? You can react more flexibly to the unforeseen and at the same time have an overview of everything current.
When planning, take into account your overarching corporate goals, the fixed dates and your individual to-dos from the task list. Plan realistically and rather conservatively, because experience has shown that we overestimate the time that is available to us every day. And at the same time, we underestimate anything that we can do over a longer period of time."
Translated from:
- Gabriele Thies. 8 Wege, um deine Aufgaben sinnvoll zu strukturieren.
- https://www.gabrielethies.de/blog/aufgaben-sinnvoll-strukturieren
Comment#: 00009
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"How to eliminate fifty percent of your business worries.
Everyone who wishes to present a problem to me must first prepare and submit a memorandum answering these four questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. What is the cause of the problem?
3. What are all the possible solutions of the problem?
4. What solution do you suggest?
My associates rarely come to me now with their problems. Why? Because they've discovered that in order to answer those four questions, they have to get all the facts and think their problems through. And they've done that, they find in three-fourths of the the cases they don't have to consult me at all because the proper solution has popped out like a piece o fbread popping up from an electric toaster. Even in those cases where consultation is snecessary the discussion takes about one-third of the time formely required because it proceeds along an orderly, logical path to a reason conclusion."
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:07:50 - 01:09:53)
Comment#: 00010
Date: 2023-08-11
User: Radim
"Basic techniques in analysing worry:
Rule 1 - get the fact. Half the worry in the wold is caused by people trying to make decisions before they have sufficient knowledge on which to base a decision.
Rule 2 - after carefully weighing all the facts come to a decision.
Rule 3 - once a decision is carefully reached, act, get busy carrying out your decision and dismiss all enxiety about the outcome.
Rule 4 - when you or any of your associates are tempted to worry about a problem, write out and anser the following questions:
a) What is the problem?
b) What is the cause of the problem?
c) What are all possible solutions?
d) What is the best solution?"
- Dale Carnegie. Crescent News (1944). How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKzlc_N2yxw (01:12:50 - 01:13:50)
Comment#: 00011
Date: 2023-08-17
User: Radim
Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it over?
"The saying "There's never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it over" reflects a common observation about human behavior and project management. It suggests that people often rush through tasks or projects initially, hoping to save time and effort, but end up making mistakes or producing subpar results. As a result, they eventually need to invest more time and resources to fix those mistakes or redo the work properly.
There are several reasons why this phenomenon occurs:
1. Underestimation of Complexity: People might underestimate the complexity or difficulty of a task or project at the outset. This can lead to inadequate planning and allocation of resources, resulting in mistakes or oversights.
2. Pressure to Meet Deadlines: There is often pressure to complete tasks or projects quickly to meet deadlines. This can lead to shortcuts being taken or important steps being skipped in the interest of saving time.
3. Lack of Attention to Detail: When rushing through a task, individuals might not pay enough attention to details, leading to errors that require corrections later.
4. Overconfidence: Sometimes, people might overestimate their abilities or knowledge, leading them to believe they can complete a task quickly without proper preparation or diligence.
5. Incomplete Information: In some cases, tasks or projects might be started without having all the necessary information or requirements. This can lead to incorrect assumptions and decisions.
6. Limited Resources: Constraints on resources such as time, money, or manpower might force people to cut corners initially, with the intention of fixing things later when more resources are available.
7. Learning Curve: Sometimes, tasks involve new skills or technologies that individuals need to learn along the way. Initial attempts might be suboptimal as people are still acquiring the necessary expertise.
The saying serves as a reminder that investing the necessary time and effort upfront to do a task properly can save more time and resources in the long run. Proper planning, attention to detail, and thorough execution can help prevent mistakes and the need for redoing work.
However, it's worth noting that the saying is not universally true. In some cases, rushing through tasks might yield acceptable results, and redoing work might not be necessary. It all depends on the nature of the task, the level of expertise involved, and the specific circumstances."
- https://chat.openai.com (Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it over?)
Comment#: 00012
Date: 2023-08-18
User: Radim
"Don't dig deep into anything because it costs us money. Just pretend that we are experts and hope that the others gets the chestnuts out of the fire."
- unnamed user (own experiences leading to this ironic statement)
Comment#: 00013
Date: 2023-08-25
User: Radim
"We all have ideas. Ideas are immortal. They last forever.
What doesn't last forever is inspiration. Inspiration is like fresh fruit or milk: It has an expiration date.
If you want to do something, you've got to do it now. You can't put it on a shelf and wait two months to get around to it. You can't just say you'll do it later. Later, you won't be pumped up about it anymore.
If you're inspired on a Friday, swear off the weekend and dive into the project. When you're high on inspiration, you can get two weeks of work done in twenty-four hours. Inspiration is a time machine in that way.
Inspiration is a magical thing, a productivity multiplier, a motivator. But it won't wait for you. Inspiration is a now thing. If it grabs you, grab it right back and put it to work."
- Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson. 37signals (2010). Rework.
Comment#: 00014
Date: 2023-09-11
User: Radim
Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?
"If you don't see any practical use case or clear benefit for digitalization in your specific situation, it may not make sense to pursue it blindly. Digitalization should always align with your organization's goals and needs. Here are some considerations:
1. Assess Business Objectives: Start by identifying your organization's objectives and challenges. Digitalization should align with your strategic goals, whether it's improving efficiency, reaching new markets, enhancing customer experiences, or reducing costs.
2. Customer Demands: Consider whether your customers or clients expect or would benefit from digital solutions. If there's no demand for digital services, investing in them may not provide a return on investment.
3. Competitive Landscape: Analyze your competition. If your competitors are effectively utilizing digital technologies to gain a competitive advantage, it might be necessary to explore digitalization to stay relevant.
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine if the potential benefits of digitalization outweigh the costs. If the investment doesn't offer a reasonable return, it might not be justified.
5. Resource Availability: Evaluate whether you have the necessary resources, including financial resources, technical expertise, and staff training, to implement and sustain digital solutions effectively.
6. Future Growth: Consider the scalability of your organization. Even if you don't currently see a clear use case for digitalization, it's essential to think about your organization's future growth and whether digital technologies could play a role in that growth.
7. Technology Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies. While there may not be an immediate use case, technological advancements could create new opportunities down the line.
8. Customer Feedback: Engage with your customers or stakeholders to gather feedback on their needs and preferences. They may provide insights that could uncover potential use cases for digitalization.
9. Pilot Projects: Instead of a full-scale digital transformation, consider starting with smaller pilot projects to test the waters and assess the feasibility and impact of digital solutions in a controlled environment.
10. Consult Experts: Seek advice from digital transformation consultants or experts in your industry. They can provide insights into potential use cases and help you determine if digitalization is appropriate for your organization.
In some cases, it may indeed be the case that digitalization doesn't make sense for your organization at a given time. However, it's essential to regularly revisit this assessment as technology and business landscapes evolve. What might not be relevant today could become essential in the future. Ultimately, the decision to pursue digitalization should be guided by a thorough understanding of your organization's unique needs and circumstances."
- https://chat.openai.com (Does it make sense to think about digitalization if we don't see any use case?)
Comment#: 00015
Date: 2023-10-02
User: Radim
How to get the right intuition?
"Developing and honing your intuition can be a valuable skill, but it's important to remember that intuition is inherently subjective and can't always be "right" in an objective sense. However, you can work on improving the accuracy and reliability of your intuition by following these tips:
1. Increase Your Knowledge and Experience: The more you know about a particular subject or domain, the better your intuition is likely to be within that area. Gain expertise and experience through study, practice, and exposure.
2. Trust Your Gut: Pay attention to your gut feelings or initial impressions. Sometimes, your subconscious mind processes information faster than your conscious mind, leading to intuitive insights. Don't dismiss these feelings outright; give them consideration.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This self-awareness can improve your ability to recognize and trust your intuition.
4. Keep a Journal: Maintain a journal where you record your intuitive hunches and the outcomes. Over time, this can help you assess the accuracy of your intuition and learn from your experiences.
5. Seek Feedback: Discuss your intuitive insights with trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues. They can provide valuable perspectives and help you refine your intuition by offering feedback on your decisions.
6. Validate with Data: When possible, seek out data or information that can confirm or refute your intuitive impressions. This can help you develop a more evidence-based form of intuition.
7. Relax and Clear Your Mind: High-stress levels or a cluttered mind can cloud your intuition. Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation to clear your mind and enhance your intuitive abilities.
8. Ask Open-Ended Questions: When facing a problem or decision, ask yourself open-ended questions and let your mind wander. This can stimulate creative and intuitive thinking.
9. Learn from Mistakes: Embrace your intuition's imperfections. When your intuition leads you astray, use those experiences as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your intuition accordingly.
10. Practice Patience: Sometimes, intuition needs time to develop. Don't rush your decision-making process if you're unsure. Give yourself the space to allow your intuition to emerge.
11. Combine with Analysis: Balance your intuition with analytical thinking. For important decisions, use your intuition as an initial guide but then follow up with critical analysis and data-driven assessment.
12. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence can enhance your ability to perceive and interpret your own and others' emotional signals, which can inform your intuition.
Remember that intuition can vary from person to person, and it's not always infallible. It's a skill that you can refine over time, but it's also important to recognize its limitations and use it as a complementary tool alongside rational thinking and evidence-based decision-making when appropriate."
- https://chat.openai.com (How to get the right intuition?)
Comment#: 00016
Date: 2023-10-04
User: Radim
"Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow."
- Plato