Laura returns with another solo podcast to share the strategy she uses to make the most of her writing time, the Pomodoro Technique. This approach wires your brain to focus on a single, specific writing task for a short burst of 25 minutes before allowing yourself a five-minute break. While she initially resisted implementing this approach, Laura came to realize that she was less effective when multitasking and did benefit from working on a given task, free from distractions.
Listen in to learn how the Pomodoro Technique helped Laura triple her business revenue, take on more clients and have time for herself and other projects! Then implement this valuable brain hack to increase your own productivity without sacrificing the quality of your work.
Key Takeaways
Guidelines of the Pomodoro Technique
- Work in 25-minute bursts followed by a five-minute break (or make use of a 50/10 minute cycle)
- Eliminate all other distractions
Laura’s advice for dealing with stray thoughts that don’t apply to the task at hand
- Keep a sheet of paper nearby to catalog ideas/to-do items that come to mind while you are working – to be dealt with later
Consider utilizing tools to help you focus
- Laura recommends focus@will’s scientifically optimized music (and its built-in timer)
- Applications like inbox pause for Gmail help to eliminate distractions
Laura’s tips for making breaks purposeful
- Leave your work space
- Do something physical, i.e.: walk on the treadmill, load the dishwasher
More time in front of the computer doesn’t necessarily result in increased productivity
- Laura argues that you can accomplish more in a highly focused three hour period than you might in a distracted or fatigued ten-hour block
Determine the time of day when you are most effective and focused to double or even triple your productivity
- Laura works through three to four Pomodoro cycles when she’s at her best, between 5:00am and 10:00am
Laura’s Pomodoro challenge
- Practice the Pomodoro Technique at least once a day for one week
- Amplify the benefits by incorporating music and a timer to signal your brain that it’s time to work
- Reflect on how much you are able to accomplish and the quality of your work
Resources
Ed Gandia’s Focus@Will Podcast
Connect with Laura Pennington
Blog http://sixfigurewritingsecrets.com/blog/