Kate Wade and Krissy Metzler join on this week's AskAndrew. They offer 5 unique insights into time management and productivity during our discussion.

Kate (M.Ed. in Educational Psychology) and Krissy (M.A. Special Education) are the founders of The Goalden System. They are educators dedicated to helping people enhance their executive function skills in pursuit of their goals. They specialize in supporting the neuro-divergent community.
1. Plastic vs. Glass Balls Analogy: They introduce a compelling analogy to help prioritize tasks by comparing them to juggling plastic and glass balls. This visualization helps individuals discern between tasks that can bounce back if dropped (plastic) and those that will have serious consequences if not handled properly (glass).
2. Pomodoro Technique Customization: While discussing the Pomodoro technique, they emphasize the importance of customization. They suggest adjusting the traditional 25-minute work period to whatever time frame feels manageable, even if it's as short as five minutes, to help build momentum without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Accountability Partnerships: Kate and Krissy highlight the effectiveness of having an accountability partner, noting that sharing goals with someone can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving them. They stress that this partner could be anyone from a peer to a family member, and the relationship should be supportive rather than judgmental.
4. Clustering Tasks: They recommend clustering similar tasks together to maximize focus and efficiency. This approach minimizes the mental load of switching between different types of tasks, which can drain energy and reduce productivity.
5. Communication as a Tool for Prioritization: They stress the importance of clear communication in the workplace, especially about deadlines and expectations. Asking clarifying questions can prevent unnecessary stress and help better manage one’s workload.
These insights provide practical strategies that can be tailored to individual needs, making them applicable to a wide audience, including those who might struggle with traditional time management methods.

Resources:

Tomato Timer

The Goalden System

Free Accountablity Check meeting with Goalden Gals