i work best when i function like an OS — not a productivity system, not a planner, not a GTD clone. i use a scheduler that matches how my mind actually runs. something that feels natural, humane, and frictionless instead of forced.
(working name: stormrider/rr)
this is a real operating model. not metaphor. not theory. not a wild hair in a stiff breeze. this runs my day.
it’s built in layers.
i am a multi-core, interrupt-driven, round-robin mind.
i do not do one thing at a time. i do not stick with a task until it’s done. i naturally:
this is not a problem. this is a design feature.
everything below is about giving that native pattern structure instead of shame.
i don’t have “projects.” i have process classes — repeating types of work that recur across my life.
PC-DEV – making (solder, sew, code, tinker)
PC-WRITE – jotif, book, website copy
PC-HOUSE – renovation, fixes, errands
PC-LIFE – finances, docs, bills, planning
PC-MIND – reading, reflecting, learning
PC-CARE – health, rest, exercising the body
PC-SOCIAL – connections, convos, collaboration
that’s myvuniverse. anything i do falls into one.
i never choose the next task. i choose the class.
my natural “quantum” — how long one core stays on a process before switching — is 20–30 minutes.
why? because:
so: Q = 25 minutes.
so i set a timer. when it dings: i switch processes, not tasks.
each process class has a ready queue:
PC-DEV PC-WRITE PC-HOUSE PC-LIFE PC-MIND PC-CARE PC-SOCIAL
each queue holds 1–3 active tasks. not the whole universe. just the ones in the queue at the moment.
i do NOT pick from the entire backlog. backlog doesn’t even make any sense. i pick from the ready queue of the class i’m currently running.
this stops overwhelm instantly.
here’s the entire loop in four steps:
pick the next process class round-robin across the seven classes unless energy dictates otherwise.
run Q = 25 minutes deep enough to progress, short enough to avoid burnout.
mark one thing as “advanced” not done. just moved forward by one step.
enqueue notes, switch class, repeat. no guilt. switching is progress.
the cycle takes ~3 hours to run through once. i can successfully run 1–3 cycles per day. four if things are urgent or emergent.
i don’t stay on a process:
preemption isn’t failure. it’s the OS doing its job.
this is the piece that fixes my fear.
in stormrider/rr, “done” means: i advanced the process one quantum. not “i finished the project.” not “i completed the whole thing.” not “i wrapped it with a bow.”
a process is “done for now” when the timer rings.
this removes existential pressure. and my brain instantly calms.
when i wake up, you run three checks:
energy: high, medium, or low
gravity: which process class is tugging on mecemotionally
context: what the day demands (appointments, errands, obligations)
i combine these and select my starting class.
examples?
once per week:
this is my “garbage collection” cycle.
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