A simple technique to help you focus

7Jan2010 Filed under: 4 Hour Work Day, How to be a happy scanner Author: John

I’ve just been reading about the Pomodoro Technique which is a simple system to improve productivity created by Francesco Cirillo. Here’s a summary of the technique as shown on the website:

The basic unit of work in the Pomodoro Technique™ can be split into five simple steps:

Choose a task to be accomplished
Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

I’ve tried similar things before to great effect and included a similar recommendation based on Mark Forster’s time management systems in my book.

You can download the complete book about the Pomodoro Technique for free.

I’ve also just installed a free timer application called Focus Booster which is based on the Pomodoro Technique.

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2 Responses to “A simple technique to help you focus”

Kirsten
February 4th, 2010 at 11:05 pm

Hi John, I just found you this afternoon via @SandyDfromNJ. She tweeted your talk on goal setting for scanners. I feel like you are talking to me about me. Wow! It is a great relief to know I am not alone - most of the time my multiple interests and chronic dissatisfaction with my wonderful job make me feel like an outcast. (I really do have a wonderful job. I’m blessed - and completely unfulfilled.)
Anyway, I wanted to let you know I have been using a hybrid Pomodoro Technique and the Focus Booster program for about 4 months now and it has helped me stay focused on the projects that used to overwhelm me. Because they overwhelmed me, I would procrastinate and then the overwhelm and the dread would become a very heavy burden for me to face every day. But the Pomodoro Technique - even though it seems very regimented at first - has set me free. I can do 25 minutes - then walk away. Then do 25 more minutes and walk away. I have started setting weekly Pomodoro goals for creative projects like writing my nonfiction project for 3 Pomodoros a week.
I will be hanging out on your blog more often. Thank you for your inspirations!
Kirsten
John
February 5th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Thanks Kirsten, that sounds interesting. Have you written a blog post on your hybrid time management system?

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