Iteration - the New Way We Work

We all hate the feeling of being woken up just when we are about to fall asleep.
Because we cannot fully dive into problems, we are learning to not dive at all. Instead,
we solve problems iteratively. We do not map out a strategy all the way, we choose a good
path, explore it and look for feedback. Based on the feedback, we adjust the path and
then repeat. Perhaps before, we used to think through things more deeply, but these days
we replace the deep thinking with rapid iteration.
Iteration is a very powerful algorithm for
reaching the best solution. In math and computer science, iterative algorithms are known
to solve problems that are not possible to fit into an exact formula. In nature,
iteration is the key to adaptation
a big downside. Iteration requires much more energy. The
constant context-switching and rapid pace are much harder than the slower-paced planning
and pondering mode. The question is: how long can we sustain such a rapid mode? Will we
burn out faster than people before us? It is actually a rather likely possibility.
We need a calendaring/email/project management all-in-one tool that is designed to
support this iterative mode. Basecamp from
37signals was probably the first step towards such software.
But Basecamp leaves off a few things. For example, there is no way
to map todo items onto a calendar, no way to prioritize them and no direct way to make
emails into tasks. Todoist, which Lachlan Hardy profiled
recently, seems to be closer to what we need - it factors in both calendaring and
prioritization. In its current implementation, however, it is aimed at advanced,
keyboard-centric, users.
We need a tool, an assistant, that understands our processes, understands what we are
doing, when we change tasks and when we finish them. It needs to be with us everywhere -
on and off line and on the go. As much as possible, this tool needs to help us juggle our
tasks and restore the context, recall and store information and make our life easier for
us.
I think the iteration model works not for time chunks of less than 1/2 hours. In this time you can get some things done. Than you can make a break, read a blog, rethink something and go on.

But the informations income frequence ist much higher. As you stated out too, every minute something happens. So i have to discipline my self. What is - dependig on the open tasks - is sometimes really hard :)