FIXME: opening paragraph
1. Pomodoro Technique Overview
The Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo as a way to remove distractions and complete tasks more efficiently. His method is designed to keep your mind free of interruptions and focused on accomplishing specific goals. It relies on small, incremental steps toward your goal instead of a marathon approach to it.
How it works:
Always stay focused on your task until the Pomodoro technique timer rings, and then take a short break before starting again. Put a check on your to-do list as a record of that work session.
- Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat four times.
- Take a 15-minute break, then repeat.
What kinds of activities are suited to this technique?
Pomodoro is best suited for activities that require sustained concentration, such as writing a report, responding to emails, reading, and studying. Of course, you can also use it for more creative tasks like designing a website or writing a blog post. Basically, it can be used for anything that doesn’t involve too much mind mapping or brainstorming, which requires some time to incubate ideas.
2. Flowtime Technique Overview
Sounds pretty simple, right? So far, so good, but here’s where things get interesting, the tasks don’t necessarily have to be done in order — you can do them in any order you want! This gives you a lot of flexibility.
- The primary approach is to break down your task into smaller tasks.
- Pick a time for each task and write it on your calendar or calendar software.
- When that time comes, turn off all distractions (phone, email, etc.) and work on that task for a set amount of time.
- When the time is up, reward yourself.
- Rinse and repeat until all the tasks are complete.
Flowtime Technique Example: Getting Work Done Faster Through Multitasking
Suppose I want to get some writing done, including a big project I’ve been putting off for far too long, writing a review for my upcoming book launch. (Bear with me here!)
Flowtime Technique Vs. Pomodoro Technique
Every productivity method is different, so the Pomodoro approach doesn’t map exactly to Flowtime. The most significant difference between Pomodoro Technique and Flowtime Technique is the visual feedback giving you the ability to see progress towards your goals at the moment, not just at the end of your Pomodoro technique timer.
How Do I know If Flowtime Technique Is Right For Me?
If you’ve read this far, and it sounds like the Flowtime Technique could be what you’re looking for, there are several ways to make that determination.
3. Seinfeld Method (Don’t Break The Chain) Overview
Seinfeld’s Productivity Secret is a popular technique used by Jerry Seinfeld, the comedian. It’s based on using a chart where you put stickers (or check) every day you complete a task. If you don’t finish, there’s no need for a sticker.