I recently came across Daily Stack, a small project by Anders Højmose.
Daily Stack is a playful tool that helps you become more aware of your daily work-flow and time management. By creating a physical representation of your tasks, Daily Stack speaks subtly to your conscience and helps you manage your time through unobtrusive ambient feedback.
First thought: How much is it and where can I buy it?
(it was a hack and not a product you can buy)
Second thought: How can I make this?
Quarters: Planned tasks
Nickels: Unplanned tasks
Dimes: Breaks
At the beginning of my day, I will pick a task and plop a quarter on my desk. That quarter is a promise. I promise I will not work on anything else until the task is complete. After that task, I will check my email, return a phone call, or just go to the next task.
If something unplanned happens, it is represented by a nickel on the stack. Did something interrupt your planned task? Nickel. Did something come up that needs your attention that you hadn’t planned for? Nickel.
When I take a break, I place a dime on the stack. The dime is a promise too. It says that I will really take a break. It does not have to be a long break, but it must be fully enjoyed. A break should not be a shameful or shady act. It is a chance to reset. A chance to prepare yourself for your next task. A chance to stretch your arms and reward yourself for a job well done.
When the stack of coins grows large enough, the reward can be more than intrinsic. I can pick up my stack and trade it in for a chocolate chip cookie or hot cup of coffee.
This is not a routine that needs to be done every day. You can learn about yourself and become more aware of your actions even after doing it a few times. How many quarters did you get in your stack today? How many nickels? Do they correlate to how you feel at the end of the day? What can you learn about your work habits that you didn’t realize? What can you change about your work habits now that you have realized?
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