There are two time management techniques that have made an incredible difference to my productivity and the quality of work I get done when it comes to running my four businesses. I know if you took the time to implement these techniques, you’d see a big difference too—so let’s get into them! 

The Pomodoro Technique 

Last week we talked about to-do lists and the importance of having a really good structure to them. (You can get a copy of my To Do List template HERE.) When it comes to actually actioning the things on your to-do list, you need the Pomodoro Technique.  

THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE IS A TIME MANAGEMENT METHOD THAT USES A TIMER TO BREAK YOUR WORK DOWN INTO SEGMENTS. 

The technique recommends breaking your work into 25 minute increments. So you decide on a task you need to achieve, set your timer, and start working. After this 25-minute timer goes off, set a timer to take a break for 5 minutes; walk around, make a cup of tea, have a stretch. And then once the 5-minute timer goes off, reset for 25 more minutes and start again. 

Your goal should be to do that four times and then give yourself a larger break for 30-minutes to 1 hour, before starting again.  

Personally, I rely on the Pomodoro Technique on the days where I find that my to-do list is really overwhelming and there’s just so much I need to get stuck into. It’s also the days when I schedule my Deep Work that the Pomodoro Technique is the most valuable. 

Deep Work

Deep Work is a solid chunk of distraction-free, uninterrupted work time, ideally 3 or so hours. All notifications are silenced and your phone should be out of reach (or at least face down so you’re not distracted by the screen lighting up). 

During a Deep Work session is when I use the Pomodoro Technique to keep me focussed. 

I schedule my Deep Work sessions in my calendar and intentionally save tasks to be completed during this time—generally the bigger project-based tasks that require a lot of brain power.

I really encourage you to give these techniques a try and see if they work for you. I’d love you to report back and let me know how you go!