Have you heard of the Pomodoro technique? It is a time management technique that helps you focus and concentrate. It allows you to get more done in less time and work very efficiently.
The technique was first developed in the ’80s and is named Pomodoro (tomato in Italian) because of the cute tomato-shaped kitchen timers that were all the rage for a while. The idea is to utilize a timer to force yourself to focus and concentrate in short bursts. It’s a practice well worth trying for yourself. Here are the basics for getting started.
To give this a try, you need two things. You need to know what you should be working on. A bit of planning and a written-out to-do list will come in very handy. Then you need some sort of countdown timer. You can use a kitchen timer, your watch, the count-down timer on your stove if you’re working at home, or an app on your phone. What you use doesn’t matter as long as you have access to a timer that you can set in 25-minute intervals.
Get comfortable at your desk, make sure you have everything you need, and then set a timer for 25 minutes. Work completely focused on the task at hand for those 25 minutes. Don’t get up to go to the bathroom, don’t check email, and don’t let anything distract you from what you’re working on. Just buckle down and focus for those 25 minutes.
When the timer goes off, wrap up your thought and then get up and take a short break. Walk away from what you’re doing. It’s helpful to actually get up and get some blood in your legs. Go get a glass of water, fix a cup of coffee, and if you have to check on those pesky emails. Try not to spend more than 5 minutes on your “break”. Then set a timer and work completely focused for another 25 minutes.
Rinse and repeat until you’ve gotten through three to four sets of 25 minutes of working and 5-minute breaks. At this point, it’s a good idea to take a longer break and get away from work for a bit. Take 30 minutes to go grab lunch, take a short walk, or take care of a load of laundry if you’re working from home. This break will give your brain a rest and gets you ready for the next session of three to four sets of “pomodori”.
About Shanna A. Jefferson
Hey there Entrepreneur!
I’m Shanna and I understand your journey as an aspiring or emerging entrepreneur in building your business and brand.
As a Mental Health Therapist and Business Coach, I teach entrepreneurs how to plan, strategize and monetize💰 their vision without sacrificing their mental health🧠. I aim to serve as a beacon of hope, light, change, and Greatness.
