No worries, I get it :) Nice to see it could be used to create a standalone desktop app as well !! For this specific problem, it could be a liked feature.
Thanks for your post, rericks. I am feeling exactly the same way... I am so anxious about that that I have doubted what else could I do in life... But we should hold tight. In 3 months, you will know much more about parts of the system, you will be an expert of some of its facets. By then, you will be an example of the phrase "Fake it 'till you make it".
How do you deal with a pomodoro whom task isn't finish ? Do you just continue the task ? Or you just stop, and plan the end of the task for the next pomodoro ?
That is exactly what you do. While on first sight this seems like it'd impede flow, having everything in small chunks makes it much much easier to get back into the flow.
Yes, my experience is similar. A typical task will take at least 3 or 4 pomodoro.
There are few important aspects that contribute to being able to continue easily:
- you know the Pomodoro ends at a specific time, so you can properly close, make notes, etc.
- because you stop 'in the middle' you actually feel eager to get back to it. (contrary to normal breaks where you probably stopped because you didn't feel like working anymore)
In general I believe it works because you rely less on flow. Flow is great, but it also comes and goes. If you can easily get into your flow and stay there for hours, you probably don't need this, but for those weeks when it doesn't come naturally, this can really work.
The point is that stopping breaks the "flow". So it'd be better to finish the task. However, by doing that, you train your brain into thinking that it's "OK to take longer to complete a task, so no need to try to do it faster/in an efficient way".
Why so many people are talking about "apps" and other websites to help doing your pomororo ? (Pomodoro's creator encourages a low-tech approach, using a mechanical timer, paper and pencil.)
I love the snoozing when I do pomodoros in caffes. I always imagine people around as being puzzled : "Wtf is this guy having a cooking timer by his computer ??"
It is the best in that you will have the maximum amount of feedback/suggestions/critics. It helps you discuss with your potential users and helps you refine your ideas. It's one aspect people critically need at the beginning. It's one aspect people do not have with the anything that uses ads on internet (landscape+ads to see if some facets of your idea are successful, or prototype+ads).
It is the best in that you will have the maximum amount of feedback/suggestions/critics.
I can't imagine that's true. In a couple of hours I reckon you could talk to maybe 20 people in a busy Starbucks. Spending a couple of hours writing a great Show HN or Producthunt post could get you more feedback from a wider audience without costing you $20.
It helps you discuss with your potential users and helps you refine your ideas. It's one aspect people critically need at the beginning.
Strangers in a coffee shop aren't "potential users", even if they think they are (nor are HN readers for that matter). Any randomly selected group is effectively useless for gathering data - there's too much noise and not enough signal.
If you want good feedback you need to approach people you know are actual potential customers. You can't rely on luck. Go to places where they gather - user groups, meet ups, websites, etc.
"remove one* of them. ". And seeming a bit desperate shouldn't be that important. What is important is : #1 how great your site is valuable to your user : give them great content/tools/functionality #2 user experience and, and #3 monetization.
A/B test, as previously said. But you may not have enough visitors at this stage. So put the 2 buttons, and in 3 months, remove on of them. Then you will have the best solution for your very site, and you will have a slick design.
I am exactly at the same stage of you for one of my site... I'll have a clear answer for you in 2 to 4 months :)
