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Dear Friends of Balancing Act, 
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 |
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Pecha Kucha To the Point!
 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 
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.
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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.)
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The Power of Procrastination
 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.
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
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).
Copyright 2010 Pat Snyder |
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Call in Monday
Pat's On
WOSU Radio |
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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 .
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PAT'S STUCK IN THE 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
Find details and sign-up information for this amazing workshop online.
BOOKING NOW FOR FALL
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
for reliability and popularity among readers. Thanks to all who made that happen! |
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