Issue No. 16 April 2010
What's Pecha Kucha?
Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
Age of Miracles Book Cover  

I never cease to be amazed at how time-saving trends spreading across the globe can manage to pass me by.  And so it is with the phenomenon of Pecha Kucha, described in this month's newsletter. I secretly hope I am not alone, that you looked at the subject line and said, "Huh?"

 
Same goes for a time technique called "Pomodoro" - a system based on a tomato. If you haven't heard of that one, read on. 
 

Something you may be very familiar with in the time department is the word "Procrastination."  Not that you are a procrastinator.  But I've been thinking lately that even if you are, the "P" Word may bring unexpected advantages and below solicit your thoughts.

 
Hopefully, all this time-sharing will lead to a more constructive result than my obsession, described in this month's column, with the possibilities of going from 0 to 90 MPH in a New York minute in my Prius.
  
 Here's to a well-balanced Pecha Kucha Pomodoro month! 

  
                                                       Pat   
Pecha Kucha To the Point! 
 
pecha kucha 
You've heard about the economy of tweets on Twitter. They have to be 140 characters or less.  And you've heard of Japanese haiku:  only five syllables in the first sentence, seven in the second, five in the third. Now comes Pecha Kucha ("chit- chat" in Japanese), the 2-0 punch of Power Point, which allows 20 slides to a presentation, each exactly 20 seconds in length.    
 
Check out this sometimes breathless PK (fewer letters, see?) production on signage moderated by Wired Magazine contributing editor Daniel Pink. No conversation more than 6 minutes, 40 seconds.  "No Rambling Already" = the new NRA.
 
The Power Of The Tomato tomato timer  
 
We're more productive, the thinking goes, when we break our work into smaller chunks.  Enter The Pomodoro Technique TM named after the tomato timer that can help you implement it.  
.
The idea here is to choose a task to be completed, set the timer for 25 minutes, and stop when the timer goes off.  Take a short (even five-minute) break, then get back to work. For longer tasks, you get a longer break every four Pomodoros.
 
This one's become so popular among techy time managers that Google Chrome offers a free tomato timer on its toolbar.  ("Pomodoro," as I bet you know, is Italian for tomato.)
 
 
The Power of Procrastination
 
procrastinator
OK. OK. We've all been taught that proscrastination, like idle hands, is the devil's workshop.
 
The early bird gets the worm, and all that.
 
But be honest, now.  Has there never been a time when you put something off and later thought, "Whew!  Glad I didn't do that. I was meant to wait"?
 
Could it be that sometimes there is a Procrastination Advantage?  Send us your procrastination victory story! There will be a prize (not a tomato timer). 
If all else fails, try laughing.
 
monthly calendar
Sometimes, we're so busy trying to get it all done that we take ourselves too seriously.
 
Overload + Smile Shortage = Instant Meltdown.
 
If you're in meltdown mode,  take a Dog break 
and discover you're not alone. My book is available now through Mothers Day on my website with free priority shipping. 
 
Want it autographed with a personalized message for your favorite overloaded mom? Just ask.
Leash Law No. 16: Moms (and Dads) Need A Date Night
  
 
timepieces
 Friday night date? Give it up. Why do you think every other car on Friday night is delivering pizza?  After a high-speed week, the truly ambitious empty a salad bag, speed-dial Domino's and set the table. Saturday is another story. Going out somewhere, sans kids, is an important break, even if your budget permits just packing a picnic and trading off babysitting with another couple. (No, comatose babysitting on Friday night does not count as a trade).  
 
 
 
Ths is one of 74 leash laws offered in "The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life." 
 
 
 
Copyright 2010 Pat Snyder
In This Issue
What's Pecha Kucha?
Pecha Kucha To The Point
Power Of The Tomato
Power Of Procrastination
Try Laughing
Leash Law : Date Nights
Pat's On WOSU Monday
Quick Links
Call in Monday
 
Pat's On 
 
WOSU Radio

Ann Fisher and Pat

Pat will be on "All Sides With Ann Fisher" from 10a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, April 12. 
 
Call in to 614-292-8513 or e-mail your questions for Pat to answer on the air .
 
 
Listen in at WOSU 820 AM or streaming on the web
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PAT'S STUCK IN THE ELEVATOR 
 
elevator 
 
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System is featuring Pat this month in the elevators of its headquarters building as part of an internal PR campaign acquainting employees with the former state employees it serves.  She reports it's the best bunch of elevators she's ever been stuck in.

  

Coming Up Soon!
 
Pat will lead a workshop on humor-writing at the Coschocton Write On Writers Conference.  
 
 9 to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24
Coshocton Seniors Center 
 
 Find details and sign-up information for this amazing workshop online.
 
BOOKING NOW FOR FALL
 
Blue M&M
     
 
Pat's taking bookings now for  life balance speeches and workshops,  writing workshops, and laughter programs, all described on her website.
 
 
NEWSLETTER KUDOS
 
"Balancing Tips" has snagged a
 
Constant Contact 
All Star Award 
All Star Award
 
 for reliability and popularity among readers. Thanks to all who made that happen!
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