Can a Lowly Tomato Make You More Productive?
By: Terry McDougall
Technically, no, a tomato is not likely to make you more productive. However, there is a productivity technique named for a tomato-shaped kitchen timer called a pomodoro that could have you whizzing through work like a speed demon.
If you’ve got one procrastinating bone in your body, you know sometimes it’s hard to get started on big projects or tasks that you don’t like to do. The reasons can vary — the immensity of the task is overwhelming, you never have uninterrupted time blocks of time to dedicate, or you’re avoiding a task that you don’t like to do.
Whatever the reason, pomodoros can help.
[Related: 4 Time Management Practices You Need To Succeed In Life]
Here’s how it works.
A pomodoro is a 25-minute period of dedicated work concentrating on a single task. To start the pomodoro, set a timer for 25 minutes and work exclusively on that task. You can use the timer function on your phone or set an alarm on your computer.
During this time, take no calls, don’t check e-mails or texts, and don’t take breaks — allow no distractions to interrupt your focus. When the timer goes off, take a five-minute break, and if time allows, come back after the break and do another pomodoro.
Repeat the cycle up to four times. After you have completed four pomodoros with the five-minute breaks in between, you can take a longer break of 15–30 minutes.
[Related: Discipline and Accountability: Survey of 1000 Entrepreneurs Reveals Challenges Women Face]
The benefits of the pomodoros include.
- You can focus for 25 minutes, even if you don’t like the task.
- When progress is made, even in small increments, you’ll tend to feel more satisfied and positive about the project, thus increasing motivation to complete the project.
- The small “in-between” periods of time between meetings or phone calls can be put to productive use if you get in the habit of doing pomodoros during those gaps.
- For those who tend to attack projects with gusto during marathon stretches of work, forcing yourself to take breaks can actually result in increased productivity by forcing you to refresh and avoid the burnout. Even if the marathon sessions have worked for you, they may be counterproductive, as you may find yourself avoiding getting started because you know there will be no respite.
- Shutting out distractions allows you to be very productive. Even the most important phone call or e-mail can usually wait 25 minutes until your break.
The pomodoro technique addresses so many of the root issues causing lack of productivity. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
[Related: 5 Tips to Improve Focus and Get Things Done]
—
Terry Boyle McDougall, MBA, CPC, ACC, ELI-MP, is an executive and career coach who helps frustrated corporate leaders achieve results for their organizations while being true to themselves so that financial success doesn’t take a backseat to authenticity.
Originally published at https://www.ellevatenetwork.com.
