De-whelm co-working session (weekly, online)

A helpful morning session format for tackling the things you're procrastinating on. ADHD-friendly (but you don't have to have ADHD).

Identify the most overwhelming things on your task list and have a crack at them. (Or make a conscious decision to not do them or do them differently, rather than leaving them hanging over your head.)

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We currently meet on Zoom. (The link is in the event details where it says "Online event".)

Arrive at 8:55 (if you can) to say hi. At 9 a.m. we do a quick round to say what's overwhelming and what precise first thing we're going to do to make it less overwhelming.

Then we work in blocks of time before checking in again. Recently we've been checking in on the hot, so if you miss us at 9 you can probably catch us at 10.

To make the most of your time, focus on the *first step of the first chunk of the task".

To help focus better, start by setting up: remove distractions, and then open the document/email, or get the thing you need to work on, or go to the place you need to be.

Here's a little more detail about the format:

• Take a few minutes to list your most overwhelming tasks.
• For each, check your intuition:
• Is it actually important? Or is it an expectation?
• Are you resentful about it? Will doing it make your life better?
• Are you using it to avoid something more important?
• Choose one to start with. Identify the very first step.
• We agree on a time to check in. Maybe on the hour, or sooner. If we're feeling scattered, shorter check-ins are good.
• Put some music on and/or make a game of it. How much can you get done before the check-in? Or in the next 10 minutes?
• Quick check-ins. 👍? 👎? Did you stay focused, or get distracted? Have you got your next task lined up?

If you arrive while we're in a sprint, quickly jot down your first task in the chat and then start.

(If there's a need for anything more chatty, like helping each other "debug" a problem, we can try a temporary breakout room.)

TIMING:

• Starting at 9. If you can finish your morning routine and be ready for work then, great. If you're not in the early start groove, then all the more reason to join us for some encouragement and a good start to your day!
• Sometimes we go for longer – in case if you're in a room and want to do another hour.

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This was inspired by the "Type-A Breakfast" and modified for the needs of ADHDers and anyone feeling overwhelmed by their todo list.