The Productivity Technique That Changed My Life!

11 replies
Despite what my post count may say, I've been in the IM business for three years now (man, I don't know why I waited so long to actually JOIN the Warrior Forum! ).

And throughout those first two years my biggest obstacle was being productive. I just couldn't stay focused on one task. I was addicted to working with the TV running in the background, my Iphone sitting beside me blaring music from Pandora, etc.

It really hindered my performance and my IM efforts.

But then Peter Spaepan came along and introduced me to the Pomodoro Technique...and my life changed forever.

The concept is simple as can be...

1. Choose a task that needs to be completed
2. Set a kitchen timer for 25 minutes(or if you wanna get fancy, go out and buy a Pomodoro)
3. Work on the task - staying ultra-focused and letting nothing distract you - until the timer goes off
4. Take a five minute break
5. Repeat as many times as needed until the task is complete.
6. Once you complete 4 Pomodoros (4 sessions of 25 minutes with 5 minute breaks in between) give yourself a longer break (here, I'll give myself a 30 minute break).

That's pretty much all there is to it. On the surface, it doesn't seem like much, but used correctly it's an extremely powerful productivity technique.

Once I started implementing it, I started getting stuff done! It literally changed my life.

If you wanna read up on it, visit The Pomodoro Technique®

It has a free PDF you can download detailing the technique. And I have to give credit to the creator, Francesco Cirillo. He's really done something special here.
#changed #life #productivity #technique
  • Profile picture of the author SuResearcher
    This is exactly what I do. And it works wonders.

    For my 25 minute timer, I use a manual one that ticks. The visual reminder of the minutes remaining and the ticking sound, push me to get the task done before the timer hits zero. It's a competition.

    I use a digital timer with an alarm for the 5 minute breaks. The alarm tells me when the break time is up. I use these 5 minutes to stretch, walk, deep breath, review my goals, rest my eyes etc.

    I think the short work periods help. It's easier to focus knowing that I get a break soon. And I take the breaks even if I am in the middle of a task. I just get up and walk away from the computer.

    This is a technique definitely worth trying for anyone who is trying to find a system that works for them. Give it a shot. You never know. It might work for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author RussRuffino
    I'd like to add to this that BATCHING is key.

    What I mean by that is that it's easier to do repetitive tasks that you do all the time in batches, rather than doing a little bit every day.

    For example, if you have a blog, or site where you post articles, it's MUCH easier to sit down on a Monday and spend 4 hours creating 5-6 posts that you set to automatically publish at random times over the upcoming week than it is to sit down and write a new post every day.

    Russ
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    • Profile picture of the author TylerRWS
      Great tip, Russ...

      I actually use batching whenever I'm performing research.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        Well, I had this ugly clock, but it got left behind on one of my moves over the course of the last year.

        I finally got a new clock, kinda fancy too and on sale. It has some fancy lights and even tells the temperature. It goes in military time which is a bit crazy - but hey, it has an alarm/timer and it works.

        I agree, it really helps to start timing yourself and testing your level of focus.
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        • Profile picture of the author Your Brand Ebooks
          .. > For my 25 minute timer, I use a manual one that ticks.
          .. > The visual reminder of the minutes remaining and the ticking
          .. > sound, push me to get the task done before the timer hits zero.
          .. > It's a competition.

          Seems like a good technique, but I myself would be stressed knowing that the timer was winding down, and would soon be buzzing. Actually I work best in the opposite environment, with zero time pressure.
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        • Profile picture of the author TylerRWS
          Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

          Well, I had this ugly clock, but it got left behind on one of my moves over the course of the last year.

          I finally got a new clock, kinda fancy too and on sale. It has some fancy lights and even tells the temperature. It goes in military time which is a bit crazy - but hey, it has an alarm/timer and it works.

          I agree, it really helps to start timing yourself and testing your level of focus.
          LOL...Jill, that is a purely hideous clock!!

          It's a shame you lost it in the move! And I can't believe you moved on so quickly after losing it...and with something so flashy and attractive!!

          Just as long as you got the timer...that's all that matters.

          Oh crap! It's 2230 hours! I gotta get some friggin work done!!
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          • Profile picture of the author cynthea
            Awesome post Simple Travis. Came at just the right time as I have a two-week project that I'd like to complete in 8 business days. Left to my own devices I could stretch it out more it needs to be... just by dilly-dallying. So thanks for the great time management tip.
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            • Profile picture of the author TylerRWS
              Originally Posted by cynthea View Post

              Awesome post Simple Travis. Came at just the right time as I have a two-week project that I'd like to complete in 8 business days. Left to my own devices I could stretch it out more it needs to be... just by dilly-dallying. So thanks for the great time management tip.
              Glad I could help, Cynthea!

              That's exactly what the technique is designed to do - and it works like a charm.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    I have been trying similar techniques as I find this sort of thing works for me. I am certainly going to try your idea, I'll let you know how to goes. Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author feedtherightwolf
      Just wanted tto say that it works really well when I use it, I've been using it for over few months now.

      It actually helps me by taking away pressure from wanting to complette the task. In other words my goal becomes to work on this project for 25 minutes, rather than do so much in 25 minutes. By making work itself my goal, I get rid of pressure. Since as long as I am working on my project for 25 minutes I am accomplishing my goal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Barboza
    I had writen a post in the contest section regarding the Pomodoro Technique http://www.warriorforum.com/member-c...ml#post3066052
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