What is working async
- 60 - 90 minute pomodoro sessions. Sometimes much longer
- 20 - 30 minute rest
- Repeat
- Slack closed, opened at the end of each pomodoro.
Why do I do it
- Optimising for deep work. Async allows me to immerse myself in work
- Minimising cost associated with context switching
- I function more effectively with mono-tasking & immersion in the task at hand
- True insight comes when I’m not in a sync environment. This means I often take notes while walking, gyming, shower, and many other places outside of the usual work environment. It’s easier to connect and put thoughts together after letting things ponder for a bit.
- Async by default creates artifacts (written documents, diagrams, and other illustrative stuff) that others can refer to in the future, preserving institutional knowledge & context beyond one or a few people’s heads
I believe that writing is a forcing function for clarity in thinking. So, I write a lot.
– Brie Wolfson
Caveats
- Though I prefer to work async by default, there’s many a time when sync is the best way to get things done:
- pair programming,
- debugging,
- brainstorm sessions,
- helping unblock someone
- If we’re sharing a backlog, it’s very likely that I’ll be sync with you even during my ‘async’ hours,
just part of collaboration, right😉
- this may sometimes mean my work hours are not the same as yours, so please don’t feel pressured to respond to my queries outside of your work hours.
this is a lesson I have to relearn every so often.
I learned that to do great work you need space. You need time. Away from people and notifications and messages, away from anything that can steal your attention.