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Working in sprints

Two experts on why short, high-concentration sprints work so well…

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Nir Eyal

New York Times Journalist and Author

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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25 minute sprints work because…

they reaffirm your self-image as someone who can work without distraction.

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Vanessa Hill

Scientist, Educator Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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25 minute sprints work because…

they build-in regular breaks and help supress the urge to procrastinate.

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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So what do they look like?

Light Sprint:

25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off

Total time = 1 hr

Serious Sprint:

25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off

Total time = 2 hrs

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Youtube helps!

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Planning a week of 25 minute sprints…

  • Helps you see when your revision sessions are taking place
  • Helps you plan exactly what you’re going to cover
  • Reaffirms your ability to work without distraction
  • Helps beat procrastination

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Tues

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Sun

8-10am

10-12

1-3pm

3-5pm

6-8pm

8-10pm

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Block out times when you’re not going to be able to work…

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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8-10am

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1-3pm

3-5pm

6-8pm

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Add sprints in slots where you can work. Check out this example…

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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8-10am

10-12

1-3pm

2 x 25

3-5pm

1 x 25

1 x 25

2 x 25

6-8pm

3 x 25

4 x 25

1 x 25

2 x 25

2 x 25

8-10pm

1 x 25

1 x 25

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Mon

Tues

Wed

Thur

Fri

Sat

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8-10am

10-12

1-3pm

2 x 25

3-5pm

1 x 25

1 x 25

2 x 25

6-8pm

3 x 25

4 x 25

1 x 25

2 x 25

2 x 25

8-10pm

1 x 25

1 x 25

20 25-minute sprints in a week: 500 minutes of revision

(8hrs 20 minutes)

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Over to you!

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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8-10am

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1-3pm

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