Productivity Can Be Fun

Max Productivity Using The Pomodoro Technique

With the ever increasing weapons of mass distraction how do you ensure you hit a high level of productivity?

The email notifications, text messaging and the lure of social media can be distracting. Sometimes a welcome distraction (but one that must be controlled if you wish to master productivity).

During a recent project launch, I used the Pomodoro technique to work with time rather than struggle against it. The project had a tight deadline (set by myself!) and I was shooting for maximum productivity and to reduce the impact of internal and external interruptions.

The technique is simple to use and can help train your brain to work in chunks of time, usually 25 minute bursts (a Pomodoro), followed by a 5 minute break. The timing of the Pomodoro works well with a kitchen timer, the physical action of winding the timer confirming your determination to start the task.

Once you have ticked off four Pomodoro’s, allow yourself a longer break, say 30 minutes. Ticking externalises desire to complete the task. The winding, ticking and the ringing timer allows flow and focus to become associated with these physical stimuli.

The timing can be controlled with any smart phone. But the timer sat on my desk increased awareness of my decisions, boosted motivation and drove a great determination to achieve my goals. I could ‘see’ time. This technique coupled with a things to do list helped me hit my deadline. Max Productivity. Thanks Chick.

Blog by award winning Entrepreneur, Speaker and Business Coach Ian Farrar, host of the chart topping Industry Angel Business Podcast.

Ian is also the founder of Sales & Marketing consultancy Far North Ltd.