Who else loves coming across time-saving or productivity techniques? I know I do! As long as they're good!
Have you heard of the Pomodoro technique? Well the first time I implemented it into my working day- it was amazing! I adapted it to suit my schedule but just using the time-block concept was a game changer! If you're looking for a robust, easy to implement time-management system to beat procrastination and to actually SEE results, then read on!
This method breaks up your day into small chunks of time. It was created by Francisco Cirillo in the 1980s to help him concentrate on his studies. The idea is that you work on a task for 25 minutes then take a 5 minute break. This 30 minute cycle is called a "Pomodoro". You do this 4 times and then take a longer break - and then repeat. It's good to have a timer or alarm to set for the 25 minutes to ensure you stop and take the break - do some stretches or get a cuppa! And the 25 minutes can contain a series of smaller tasks that may only take 5-10 minutes each, or you can take 3 or 4 Pomodoros to complete a larger task; you just take a break at the scheduled times.
What I found was that I was focussing more on the task in hand, and then once finished I would move on to the next, instead of faffing around "making improvements" unnecessarily. I actually got more done on that first day, and felt freer in the evening as I felt I'd achieved what I set out to do and I didn't have the remainder tasks floating round in my mind.
I don't know about you, but there are days when I'm so busy, I know I've been productive but I can't say what I've actually done! This is another reason why I found the Pomodoro (or my version it) so useful - it was there written out in front of me what I had completed!
So give it a try, give the Pomodoro technique a go - and to help you, I've created a couple of ready-made templates that you can use/adapt/print out!
Go to the download page.