Yeah, it’s come to this the last few days. I can’t seem to focus long enough to finish anything. I start to read and then think I should be cleaning. I start to clean and then think I should be meditating. During meditation I think that I should be running, I can meditate any time, but there are just so many daylight hours in a day. While washing the dishes I think of filling the bird feeders, and then the dog wants to go out, and then mail comes and I check the computer again.
A while back I read about the Pomodoro Technique. It involves a kitchen timer (shaped like a tomato) that you set for 25 minutes. You work like the devil for 25 minutes, the thing DINGS!, you take a 3 minute break, and do it again, and again, until your task is finished.
It’s brilliant, except of course for the constant ticking, and the heart-stopping ding at the end. I’ve been using it to get through my writing this week, and tomorrow I’m going to use it to clean.
So this is what it’s come to. I am at the mercy of a red plastic tomato.
And it’s working.
Inspiration Location 
Kathleen:
Thanks. Nice post, as usual. Cheers to you!
I have faced similar challenges. In my case, it had to do with meditation.
For one thing, I could not sit still for long.
In our society, sitting still and doing nothing; navel gazing; chanting a mantra silently and so on–well, let’s just say, it is considered unproductive.
In other words, we are trained to be action-oriented and not being-oriented.
That was a hard act to follow, and it took some unlearning. Positive affirmations helped.
Another thing that knocked the wind out of my sails: the mind can be like a wild elephant rampaging through the jungle.
While you’re meditating, the mind plays tricks.
Too many thoughts flood your mind when you’re supposed to only focus on your mantra.
I have not escaped this tendency yet, but I am slowly getting better.
It will take time to master it, if I ever do; but I am hopeful. It is better to stay optimistic anyway.
I am also trying to live in the here and now, rather than worrying about the next step.
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Your tomato is my work day. MAKE THE TIMERS STOP ALREADY!!!!!!!
The timers do work for getting things done, though.
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