Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Keeping on Task?

I'm in the midst of grading sophomore translation exams. I'm a quarter of the way through my 70 or so exams with three days left to go. I know I have to do it, but I'd rather be doing anything but. As a result, between every several exams or so, I let myself get distracted with other things, justifying my procrastination by telling myself that I need a head-clearing break. For the good of the students, of course. I think of things to blog, blog, catch up on blog reading, catch up on Facebook posts, catch up on email, make tea, have a little snack, etc. Over the holidays, I asked Evan and Roy for suggestions for Android apps for my new phone and they both suggested Google Keep which I installed almost immediately but then didn't do anything else with (don't remember any of your other suggestions, reminder please?). Yesterday, during another grading break, I decided to enter some tasks into the app to start testing it out. I entered a few notifications and asked for a "Roquevaire" location reminder. When I went down to Roquevaire early this morning for a blood test, I thought surely I would get some notifications. But, no. Not sure what happened there. Seems as though Google Task will help keep me on track with some tasks but distract me from others. Perhaps I should set up five minute alerts admonishing myself to get back to grading!

7 comments:

mt San Francisco said...

When you figure out the perfect keeping on task app, let me know! I hear that ten jumping jacks is supposed to be a good break, invigorating one to dive back into the fray. Maybe this conversation will motivate me to try that today. I have 250 portfolios to evaluate before January 31.

Tanya said...

I did that once when I had to stay up late working on my dissertation, I think, or an article. Seemed to work well. Don't think it's recommended, though, in my current condition.

Roy said...

I've never tried setting reminders with generic locations, like a whole town. I have always used specific locations, like my home address, or Home Depot.

Tanya said...

It couldn't find my photo boutique in Aubagne . . . And I think it couldn't find the pharmacy in Roquevaire, either. It may not be as high-performing in France yet.

ET said...

Is anything?

Tanya said...

Yes, cuisine.

ET said...

Touché.