The Pomodoro Technique

This subject is quit hard for me too. If in fact, you do have a hard time with staying focused on your main productive daily tasks. I am sure everyone does, whether you think so or not. Keep it real with yourself and be honest.

Not sure if any of you have heard of this technique or not but I am going to share this here with you today because this is problem I am having, even as I type.

Staying Lazer Focused

We are always in need of getting more done and using our time better. Sometimes, time just seems to evaporate without you seeing any measurable results. This is hardly surprising, as we are constantly being interrupted and distracted from every possible angle. We always have those tri-monthly sexy product launches… those new “automated” do it for you front end for your primary business systems… and on and on. Not that those products are bad, but you need to realize that no product will build your business for you, YOU have to do it.

Back to the lecture at hand (Will Smith LOL) Anyway, I have been implementing something called “The Pomodoro Technique”.  This is basically working and beating the clock in blocks of 25 minutes, then taking a 5 minute break.

Each chunk of 25 minutes is called a Pomodoro, and you are essentially working against the clock to accomplish a very specific activity.  Now, I’m fairly new to this, but it’s already making a huge difference in the amount I get done, so I wanted to share it with you. The guy who created this the Pomodoro Technique is, Francesco Cirillo back in 1992. He offers a ebook, available as a free PDF or as a paperback purchase. The book you buy will go into more detail versus the free download but its a good start.

When you head the website: www.PomodoroTechnique.com You will find also the kit you can get to accomplish this technique… it consists of the pomodoro timer and notepad, the rest is really just for show. The simplified program will go as follows…

- Figure out the task that you need to accomplish
- Set your juicy Pomodoro to 25 minutes – that would be your timer
- Then work out that task for that 25 min. block stopping when your tomato rings
- Take your short 5 minute break

You will need to read the book to get a more detailed version of this technique or visit the website.

If you don’t want to get that oh so cute, tomato timer. Then I am sure your cooking timer or even a simple online program will do the trick. Google it! In any case just give it a try for a day and really see what you can really get done in a shorter amount of time. THEN you can go play, check your email, do some social networking or go exercise! < something a lot of you are slacking on… I do.

So, if you already knew about this technique, here was just a friendly reminder. OR you may have your own set game plan that you adhere by, let me know YOUR systems… leave us your comments below about the Pomodoro Technique!