Category Archives: DesignPatterns

Pomodoro and Kanban for Greater Household Throughput

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Jim Benson

We’ve written before about the Pomodoro technique, which is (at its most simple) dividing your work into 25 minute chunks and having a bit of rest and recap at either end. I use the Pomodoro Daisuki plugin for Chrome for … Continue reading →

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Small New Years Projects (Cabana Kaizen)

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jim Benson

For those of us who might be sitting in a world of clutter, where a million small tasks have become one daunting one – I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START! – the only way out of that jungle is through. … Continue reading →

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The Kaizen Resolution

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jim Benson

If you are a typical New Year’s resolver, you’ve just taken on a large, daunting, personal transformation project. You want to lose weight or be nicer or play for the Celtics. Good for you! But if you are also typical … Continue reading →

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Two Personal Kanban Resolution Ideas

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jim Benson

Happy 2013! Most people I know don’t even make New Year’s Resolutions anymore, and when they do – they are perfunctory and amorphous. I will lose weight, I will exercise more, I will grow wings and fly like a bat. … Continue reading →

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Managing Sandy’s Aftermath: Emergency Response Personal Kanban

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Jim and Tonianne

Despite our best efforts, there are simply some instances where we cannot limit our work-in-progress. Forces beyond our control seem to conspire to control us. Natural disasters are unfortunately well-suited for this – they have little or no respect for … Continue reading →

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5s in Personal Kanban

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Oliver Finker

Introduction Personal Kanban is a great tool to visualize your work, to limit your WIP and to take better control of your life, either alone or together with your significant other, your kids or even your team at the office. … Continue reading →

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Planning is Indispensible. Personal Kanban Anti-patterns Series 1

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Jim Benson

In the early 2000s, people discovered how great pomegranate juice is. It’s filled with antioxidants that help us avoid colds and other maladies. Well, no one likes to be sick, so people started buying the juice by the case. Sure … Continue reading →

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What If I Had A Slack Card?

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Jim Benson

“All things in moderation, including moderation.” ― Mark Twain In yesterday’s post, you may have noticed that we have a “Slack Card” in our Personal Kanban for the day. The problem we, like most people, were having was this: Productivity … Continue reading →

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WIP: The Kidzban Book

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tonianne DeMaria Barry

My dad was magical. When I was growing up, he turned everything into a game – studying, yard work, even combatting my fear of the Wicked Witch of the West. “Life should be fun!” he’d insist, invoking his own father’s … Continue reading →

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Democratize Meetings with Personal Kanban

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Jim and Tonianne

Agendas are so 20th Century. Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills are known for their exclusive neighborhoods, sprawling estates, and the people who inhabit them. They aren’t (but should be) known for their perilous and serpentine roadways. Among the most treacherous is … Continue reading →

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