Sprint mode, and how I try to land it

Some people who have worked with me call it sprint mode. When an idea really clicks, my brain shifts gear. I’ll get more done in a few days than in a normal month. I lose track of time. Meals become optional. My wife has opinions about this.

I’m an ENFP, if you’re into personality types. Lots of energy for new ideas, very curious, easily excited. Also, honestly, not always great at the boring last ten percent.

So sprint mode is a gift with a catch. Here is what I’ve learned about managing it.

Write it down before you start

The moment something clicks, I write one paragraph. What is the idea, why does it matter, and what does “done” look like? It takes five minutes and it is the single best thing I do.

Without it, a sprint can wander. You start building one thing and end up somewhere completely different, with nothing finished.

Tell someone

I tell at least one person what I’m working on and when I expect to show them something. It makes it real. It also means someone will ask “so, how is it going?” a week later, which is exactly the push I need when the excitement fades.

Set a stop point

Sprints are fun but they aren’t sustainable. I decide in advance when I’ll stop: a date, a milestone, or a demo. When I reach it, I stop and look at what I have, even if I’m still excited.

This is where I’ve failed most. The stop point is what turns a burst of energy into something other people can use.

Keep a finish list

New ideas will keep arriving during a sprint. That’s how my brain works. Instead of chasing them, I park them on a separate list. Most of them aren’t as good a week later. A few are better, and they become the next sprint.

Rest is part of it

After a big sprint I’m usually flat for a day or two. I used to feel guilty about that. Now I plan for it. Recovery is part of the work, and my family appreciates having me back.