Are you having problems with productivity working from home? There are so many distractions that we might not get to finish a lot of tasks for our online jobs. There’s that Netflix show you want to watch. Your kids demanding attention. That addiction to social media replies.
And don’t get me started with your in-laws suddenly wanting to have afternoon chika. How can you give your 100% when you’re plagued with too many distractions?
Understanding How Our Brain Works
It all starts with our brains. We’re predisposed to focus on tasks that are directly in front of us. It’s like a survival mechanism.
In ancient times, there were numerous dangers looming like a predator that wants us for dinner, that falling tree branch, or those extra careful steps when we go up that steep mountain. We need to be aware of the immediate tasks at hand.
This case is backed up by research from Princeton and the University of California Berkeley. It states that our minds work in bursts of attention. It scans the most important information around us 4 times per second. So imagine how many scans are there if you work for an hour?
This trait is still useful today to avoid that fast car when crossing the road. But we don’t need that hyper attention when we do tasks at home. We get distracted when we see a social media notification or that *name that distraction* we encounter.
So what do we do? You can try the Pomodoro technique.
Pomodoro what?
Glad you asked! The Pomodoro technique is not related to pasta. The Pomodoro technique was discovered by Francesco Cirillo (1980s) which aims to break down your tasks into 25-min “Pomodoro sessions.” It tricks your brain to focus for that short 25-mins. I mean, it’s just 25-mins, your mind can certainly spare that moment for your chosen task at hand.
Afterwards, you can take a 5-minute break as a reward for yourself. You can either check your social media accounts, search for that Shopee item you want, or do any activity that you want to do before the 25-minute Pomodoro session.
In a nutshell, you work for 25-min without distractions. And you reward yourself with 5-minute breaks to cater to that distraction. That’s what makes it so effective.
How to Practice Pomodoro Effectively
Excited to use the Pomodoro technique? It’s easy!
- Get a Pomodoro Timer. Either you can buy a physical Pomodoro timer or just get an app.
- Start your 1st Pomodoro 25-minute session.
- Only focus on the task at hand. If you have an urge for a specific distraction, tell yourself that you can do it after the 25-minute session as a reward.
- After the 25-minute session, have a 5-minute break as a reward.
- After 4 Pomodoro Sessions, take a more extended 15-minute break.
- Repeat the Pomodoro cycle again.
That’s it! Just cycle through Pomodoro sessions until the end of your work day or your goal result.
Conclusion
There you have it! The Pomodoro technique is a new tool that you can use for maximum productivity. Put it to good use and see how your remote working career soars in the long run.
