Why didn’t you get started on that speech/task/chore/project/phone call you should’ve done last week? Let me tell you how I got the party started.

But first - why is it so hard to get it started? How do you get something done? To put it absurdly simple; you must start. And starting isn’t easy, it’s a very distant place that’s we don’t really like. So we postpone until no longer postponable. Then we invent deadlines and it barely saves us as we stumble over the project finish line. Phew! I made it!

The Pomodoro technique has changed the way I get things done. By simply GETTING them started. It subtly surrounds the core, the unmanageable tasks, and gives you a motivational push. In a brilliantly, 100% foolproof way. Sounds sophisticated huh?

Here’s the 101: Set a timer (app for iPhone/Android, kitchen timer, computer software) on 25 minutes. Start the task. When the timer stops you’re finished and congrats; you started a task. Even better so - you probably got much longer than you expected.

Why does it work? Maybe because the technique is the opposite of multi-tasking that actually focus on focusing. That’s why.

Are you surprised? The simplest of things sometimes work the best. Give it a try. It’ll only take 25 minutes.

PS. If I finish/start four pomodoros during a day I get a reward. Mostly ice-cream.

Standing in my own shadow during Mumford & Sons.

Reindeer wrap and free tap water - gourmet festival style!

Cheers!

The National.

Sorry about the poor sound quality - iPhone isn’t near perfect.

Our neighbour bubbled last evening in the pouring summer rain.

One of them landed on our balcony rail.

Soon on board.

Eriks Hale, Ærø.

Drejet.

Sun.

And rain.

But who cries?

Photo A. Bergek

Three and a half months later. This 1967 little apartment still has an air of the past but with enough comfort and practicality to suit itself perfectly.  And us.

I’m starting to run out of synonyms for gathering the last weeks in one, slightly embarrassed little post.

So never mind then. If there still is anyone out there in space, thanks for sticking around. In less than a week even I will hang around more. Yes, it’s finally time. The last days of tropic heat and a day off in the sun has not only left us burnt and sweaty but also ready. Ready for the final touches and this weekend we should, according to deadline, be set to actually live in the home we bought in March.

Until then, a sneak preview - the final steps.

Busy and lazy. Busy renovating, lazy blogging and being sociable in general. But then I go through pictures and realize; I could do a lot worse.

Swedish Touring Car Championship, some weekends ago.

BBQ’s.

Summernights. With royal Charlotte-visits.

A bit broken, abandoned and bold - Glasgow through my iPhone.

A view from the hotel room.

Wonder who John is and what he does.

Outside the Glasgow Science Center. No, it’s not me in a kilt.

One of the neater bridges I’ve seen, beautifully arched from one side to the other.

The conference center and exhibition along river Clyde.

You’d think I’ve been here a week. But these things are all spots I found on my 20 min walk from my hotel to the conference (except the accident sign). Which was basically all the time I had ‘exploring’.

Some pictures from last week’s success show - Hjultorget. Captions in Swedish today - sorry, got lazy.

Bordercollievalpen Niko praktiserar till assistanshund.

Vi premiärvisade TiLites nya superstol som flögs in från Italien. För att visas i 6 timmar i Sverige. Ibland är det glam även i vår bransch.

Mer flärd. Köping Hillbillies-stjärnan “Norrland” utmanade mässbesökare i gatloppsrugby.

Vi fick besök av ett filmteam som ville göra testreportage. Jag satte vår tekniker Göte i rampljuset.

Polsk par som dansat tillsammans blott ett år. Duktiga och snabbt tempo.

I am still absolutely fascinated by cats’ sustainable attempts to achieve nothing in particular, 24/7 and for the rest of their nine lives.

This used to be my childhood dream.

This used to be the place I ran to.

Whenever I was in need.

And my new favorite app: TiltShiftGen.

A blog you just can’t miss is this one.

Brief, clever and creative without ambitious undertones. Everyday life observations, reflections and statements - in paper cuts.

Brilliant!

The cat has 120×200 cm bed to nap on. What does he do? Choose the A4 of course.