Productivity Hack - Time Blocking with the Pomodoro Technique
I’ve always been someone who loves a to-do list but I was having trouble with the list getting so long and I didn’t know where to start. I did some research on the best productivity methods and hacked together things I liked about each one to make it work for me! I combined time blocking, the pomodoro technique, and the Ivy Lee Method.
Time Blocking - Time blocking is a scheduling format that helps boost productivity by dividing your day into specific blocks of time. In time blocking you divide your day into blocks of time and assign a task or group of tasks to each block. The key to this method is prioritizing your tasks and identifying what needs to be done in advance. This method helps you focus on what needs to be done and gives you a framework for your day.
The Pomodoro Method - The Pomodoro Method is similar to time blocking but it breaks your day into 30 minute sections and incorporates breaks throughout the day. You create a list of tasks and estimate how long each one will take. You assign yourself the first task and set a 25 minute timer. You work solely on that task with no distractions for 25 minutes and then you give yourself a 5 minute break before beginning the next pomodoro (25 minute sprint). After 4 pomodoros you give yourself a 15 or 30 minute break.
The Ivy Lee Method - Ivy Lee was a productivity consultant in the early 1900s hired by Charles Schwab to increase the efficiency of his team. In a 15 minute presentation with each executive he gave the following instructions:
At the end of each work day, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. Do not write down more than six tasks.
Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance.
When you arrive tomorrow, concentrate only on the first task. Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second task.
Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six tasks for the following day.
Repeat this process every working day.
The method was extremely successful because it’s simple enough to actually work, it forces you to make tough decisions, it removes the friction of starting, and it requires you to single-task.
All 3 of these methods have the idea of focusing on 1 task at a time so to me this seems like priority number one. They also all require planning ahead of time to identify what needs to be done. After testing out a few variations my routine now involves starting each morning (once the kids are off to school) by writing a list of all the things I need to do that day and assigning them a timeframe for how long the task will take to accomplish. I then rank them in order of priority for the day and then organize them on my 30 Minute Daily Planner in the priority rank I assigned them. I make sure to add in any calls or appointments, workouts, breaks, and meals so that my day runs smoothly. I use this Cube Timer instead of my phone so I can remove all distractions when I’m focused instead of constantly looking at my phone! Obviously things pop up but overall since starting this method, my days feel less chaotic and more organized which is all I can ask for!
