Pomodoro Technique

[NeuroWebDesign]

I've tried Promodoro. I agree, it's not about breaking every 25 minutes, its about focus. I think those of us who spend a lot of time in front of a computer (with the damn internet one-click away) need to pay particular attention to making sure we keep on task.

For me, the single most effective suggestions I've ever heard come from the guy I consider to have some of the most relevant and genius thinking on the topic of productivity. He's kind of the productivity anti-hero, Merlin Mann of 43folders.com.

Anyway, to cut the 'GTD' fat and get down to business I'd thoroughly recommend his post: Gangs, Constraints, and Courageous Blocks.

It's a podcast.

Enjoy,
Brad.

[FionaFell]

I used a technique similar, but varied the timings slightly to help me survive at ~18 hour weekend of packing and moving house.

Helped me survive with my sanity intact, (also helped me keep up my required caffeine levels too.)

[Steve_Minshall]

Originally Posted by King

maybe it is written for gen Y people, not the solid older workers.

Without looking, does it also recommend changing employer every 12-18 months as well LOL

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Thanks King that made my lunch break!

[Melinda B]

Originally Posted by Burgo

Simply because if I was to stop every 25 minutes for 5 minutes it would take me almost twice as long to earn the money I earn. The customer want the best possible job done in the shortest possible time, therefore you continue working until the job is completed one hour two hours three hours or on rare occassions 4 hours

Stopping every 25 minutes would drive me crazy - when I'm focussed I can lose hours and not look up until the project is done. Which is why I actually book time with myself to pick the kiddo up from school because otherwise I'll forget what time it is!

25 minutes is a really short space of time, most research I've read says that 50 minutes is optimum for focus and that it takes around 10-15 minutes to bring your concentration and focus on the task at hand. So of every 25 minute block you'd only be getting around 15 minutes of full concentration.

I'll have a better look at it later, but I do have my doubts - for my own use anyway.

[talk2pj]

Mons. Gerrish recently introduced me to the Pomodoro Technique. I've been working towards implementing GTD (Getting Things Done, by David Allen), but it's not exactly simple. I'll still pursue GTD, but I love the Pomodoro.

The 30-min. blocks (25 mins work; 5 mins break) help my mindset - I know I can hammer my work for 25 mins, as opposed to thinking, "Here we go; see you in 4 hours!" There are "rules" to the Pomodoro Technique, too. The main one for me is to have laser-like focus, avoiding ANY interruption. There's a lot of research out there about how much time you waste regaining your focus after you've been distracted.

I find when I come back to the work (my next pomodoro), I have a fresher mindset, which makes me more efficient. Give it a crack! (BTW, after four "pomodoros" you're meant to have a 15-30 min. break.)

Paul

P.S. If you have an iPhone, there are some "pomodoro" apps out there. I'm using "DeskClock", which has a 25-min. pomodoro timer. It also lets you record what client you're working on, so you can bill them the right number of hours.

[Robert Gerrish]

Thanks for the feedback Paul. You've reminded me I've fallen off the Pomodora wagon a bit this year...I'll get back on it!

Robert

[Valdy]

I am downloading this book and 25 minutes thingy seems it's very interesting