Pomodoro technique Archives

Reprint from Techyaya.com Working from home can be very difficult if you are the type of person who requires structure, a dedicated office space and to be in an environment where work is getting done and there isn’t a comfy couch or bed within footsteps distance. With the novel coronovirus causing a lot of companies to require their employees to telework, many more people are going to have to find out how they shake out as a remote worker. For those who require assistance with productivity, fortunately, there are a lot of apps available to help create the structure they will be missing while out of the office and still expected to produce. Some people have a difficult time being productive with no immediate accountability, and need a little push. Here are some of the best apps for productivity on the market, so you can maximize your productivity without compromising your happiness. Here is a roundup of

1. Tasker or Shortcuts

To help with your work flow and keep you on track, use the Tasker app which automates and personalizes functions on your phone like your personalized smartphone functions, such as accessing your music when the headphones are plugged in, auto texting your kids when you’re five minutes away from picking them up at practice or downloading and saving photos into an album. The iOS version is Shortcuts.

2. Focus To Do or Pomodoro Time

I shared a bit about my discovery of a Productivity Journal using the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks tasks down into 25-minute increments, and to help that along and make sure you are continuously working through the day, there is the FREE Focus To Do app for Android which implements a productivity timer and the Pomodoro Time app, which utilizes the same technique.

3. Microsoft To Do App for Desktop and iOS.

As a compulsive list maker, I love the idea of a digital version that will hep you create pretty lists that do more like sent you reminders, set due dates and times for each tasks. Microsoft To Do App is such a desktop app. You can attach pics and docs on your phone and use it sort of like Evernote or Notepad. Then it syncs with the phone or tablet and computer to make editing, printing and maximizing the functionality of your daily to do list. The IFTTT (If this Then That) App on Android does something similar. You can download the App Version too called Wunderlist.

4. Freedom for iOS.

Freedom is one of many productivity apps that will block your access to all of the distraction like social media sites, game sites and others. It locks your desktop for up to 8 hours. This is great for stopping you from mindless and endless surfing when there is no one around to tell you to get back to work!

5. Pocket

Don’t pause to read all the interesting articles that come across your twitter and Facebook feed during the day. Instead use the Pocket app on Android and save them all for later to read when you’re done with work or taking a break. . h/t Entrepreneur

I was watching social media coach Vanessa Lau on YouTube who recommends among other tools for keeping her business Intelligent Change ‘s Productivity Planner which incorporates elements of The Pomodoro Technique or method for achieving optimum progress in your day.

As a compulsive list maker who is addicted to planners and journals, I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time, money and effort trying to be more productive, procrastinate less and advance my goals efficiently.

From bullet journaling to digital online tools like Evernote and Trello, I’ve tried it all to varying levels of success… or non success.

I purchased the 5 x 8 journal from Amazon and it cost just $24.99 which is quite reasonable compared to many other similar journals I’ve found out there.

The Pomodoro method requires you to set a timer for 25 minutes and breaking down tasks into 25 minute intervals separated by short breaks.

Each interval is known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for ‘tomato’, after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that creator, business coach Francesco Cirillo, used as a university student.

To put The Pomodoro Technique into effect you’re supposed to:

decide what task needs to be accomplished (it can be school work, house work, business or anything)
disable all distracting alerts, pop ups and possibly uninstall or delete addictive social media apps like
Set the pomodoro timer, ususally using an app or your mobile phone or Alexa or whatever
Work on the task.
End work when the timer rings and check it off
If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a short break (3–5 minutes), then go to step 2.
After four pomodoros, take a longer break (15–30 minutes), reset your checkmark count to zero, then go to step

A goal of the technique is to reduce the impact of internal and external interruptions on focus and flow. A pomodoro is indivisible; when interrupted during a pomodoro, either the other activity must be recorded and postponed

Intelligent Change’s planner offers two different types of methods for checking off tasks: the “Get It Done” and the “Hit the Target” methods.

In the former, your job is to do the task, in 25 minute breaks, no matter how long it takes. You just keep working until it’s done. With the latter, you predict how long it will take or assign a specific number of pomodoros to the task. As you complete one, you fill in a bubble then when you’re done, note down how long it actually took you to complete the job.

At the end of the week, there are pages that let you jot down weekly wins, what tasks were accomplished and which were not and what learned, then goals and targets for the next week.

There are also inspirational quotes, mini motivational passages interspersed in between the daily journal pages.

I had a rough start and struggled to complete my list each day, but am still working through it. I’m determined to get better each day.

What I love about the planner so far is the accountability. It forces me to track how much time I spend on my tasks and forces me to be more efficient.

Each day has a rating system for you to give yourself a 1-10 rating on how well you did with a few lines for you to explain what happened. It’s great for keeping yourself honest.

And also, you don’t even have to use the method if you don’t want. I love it!

Consider investing in your own! Get it at Amazon for just $24.

Pomodoro technique

5 Apps That Won’t Let You Goof Off While ‘Teleworking’

1. Tasker or Shortcuts

2. Focus To Do or Pomodoro Time

3. Microsoft To Do App for Desktop and iOS.

4. Freedom for iOS.

5. Pocket

The Journal That’s Helping Me Beat Procrastination {Review}