How to Stop Wasting Your Time
This science-backed technique will help you find more hours in the day
About two years ago, I was hit by a sudden flash of inspiration on how to make my workday more productive. It went like this:
- I broke my workday into 90-minute sessions with a timer on my phone
- I set out a multi-pronged to-do list for each chunk of time.
- I stopped to regroup when the timer went off, then moved onto my next activity.
When I was describing my original, ground-breaking idea to a colleague, she said, “Oh, you mean like the Pomodoro thing?”
After a quick Google search, I confirmed, “Yes. Exactly like the Pomodoro thing.”
It turns out what I had stumbled upon was known as the ‘Pomodoro Techinque’, a time-management strategy developed in the 1990s by entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo. The technique got its name from the tomato timer Cirillo used to keep track of his day.
The basic premise is simple.
Steps of the Pomodoro Technique
- Choose a task
- Set a timer for 25 minutes
- Work on the task until the timer rings
- Check off your completed Pomodoro session on a paper
- Take a short break
- Every four sessions, take a longer break
Why it works
The Pomodoro Technique keeps you goal-oriented and sensitive, a hard balance to strike in a workday. It’s true that you might not finish a task in the time allotted. But you will have a better understanding of exactly what you need to do next to finish your work, and how much time it will likely take out of your day.
Additionally, this 2011 study from the University of Illinois backs up the fact that brief breaks help concentration and focus during periods of work. In an experiment, researchers had two focus groups concentrate on a 50-minute task. The experimental group took two brief breaks during the task where they switched their work for a few seconds to another assigned task.
Researchers found that the ‘switch’ group found no drop in their performance over time. Researchers believed that the breaks allowed them to focus better on the original task at hand. So don’t feel guilty if you want to take a quick walk or read a magazine to regroup.
“From a practical standpoint, our research suggests that, when faced with long tasks, it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused.” - Alejandro Lleras, University of Illinois
Here are three ways that I personalize this excellent time management strategy :
1) Change up your time intervals. Look at your work day and see what kind of time sessions make sense. Maybe on a day with a lot of quick phone calls and emails, 15 minute sessions will work best. But on a day where you focus on big-idea projects, don’t be afraid to use longer sessions (up to 90 minutes works for me).
2) Plan your breaks. Maybe you want to reward yourself with a cup of coffee or a glimpse at the headlines during your breaks. I plan my breaks so I know exactly what I have to look forward to.
3) Write down next steps. When the timer goes off, spend an additional two minutes either checking the item off your to-do list (then basking in the glory of said check mark) or jotting down the next steps you need to complete when you come back to the task.
Good luck! Get ready to take back your time, tomato-style.
You may also enjoy reading:
