Skip to main content

I gave a presentation to the Ontario Association of International Educators annual conference last week about Time Freedom and the benefits of focusing on one task at a time rather believing that multi-tasking is a better way of getting work done.

One of the questions I was asked was whether the Pomodoro Technique is a good way to complete focused work (set a timer for 25 minutes, do work, then have a short break and repeat), and while many people use this idea, I know many others who share my own experience in that they found the alarm actually killed their work flow and creativity.

It’s rather like the All Way stops we have on the roads in north America. We want to increase the traffic flow and yet we make everyone STOP at an intersection, whether there are any other vehicles or pedestrians around or not.

There are many studies around that prove this not only slows down journeys, it makes the road more dangerous in that drivers speed up between intersections and pollution increases because of the time cars are stopped in traffic.

In the United Kingdom you will find an abundance of ‘Roundabouts’ (Traffic Islands) that ensure the flow of vehicles is consistent, keeps travel moving and reduces pollution.

Participants on our Time Master program now receive a 15-minute egg timer with no alarm and when they practice their Focus Zone techniques, they are amazed how often they work past the timer without realizing it has expired, meaning they are even more productive than they thought possible.

It is often worth having a ‘Back Stop’ alarm at say an hour if you have another appointment, but for the short-term tasks, do not set yourself up to lose focus with a distracting alarm – go silent instead and see how long you can work.

More next time, and remember – Tap The Bucket and Stay In Your Zone!

Paul

11 Comments

  • assessor says:

    I trulү ⅼove your Ƅⅼog.. Pleasant colors & theme.
    Did you create this webѕite үourseⅼf? Please reply back as I’m planning to creatе my own personaⅼ blog and would love tօ learn wһere yoᥙ
    got this from or what tһe theme is named. Thank you!

  • Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring
    on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss
    and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my
    audience would value your work. If you are even remotely
    interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

  • I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not
    already 😉 Cheers!

  • KlJesiv says:

    Thank you, your site is very useful!

  • Patricia says:

    Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Cheers

  • Chana says:

    Hi there I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing
    on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say
    thanks a lot for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have
    bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I
    have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent jo.

  • Shad says:

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I
    come across a blog that’s both equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt,
    you have hit the nail on the head. The problem
    is an issue that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

  • Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read
    this post i thought i could also create comment due to this good
    article.