As a full-time working mum-of-two, I am constantly looking for tips and tricks to make my time as productive as possible. So I was interested to see that a new book, Ignite by Neeltje van Horen, promises to ‘Unlock your brain’s true potential – and change your life’.
The professor of financial economics has rounded up the best methods to retrain your brain, including time-management skills. One of these is the Pomodoro technique, which I can also vouch for being hugely effective – especially if you struggle to sit down and concentrate on one single task for hours on end.
‘When life feels like a relentless torrent of emails, meetings, and deadlines, it can be a Herculean task to stay productive and focused,’ says Van Horen on her LinkedIn page. ‘Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s an old trick that still stands the test of time: the Pomodoro Technique.’
The long-standing method is named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer
‘Developed in the 1980s, this timeless productivity method, named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer, is stunningly simple but profoundly effective.’
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Pick a task
Step 2: Set a 25-minute timer
Step 3: Work uninterruptedly on your task until time is up
Step 4: Take a 5-minute break
Step 5: After 4 pomodoros [repeating the steps above counts as one], take a 15-30 minute break
According to Van Horen ‘This technique works wonders by minimising the impact of both internal and external distractions on focus. The timer also sparks a sense of urgency and motivates you to accomplish tasks within the Pomodoro timeframe. Plus, there’s a rewarding feeling when you successfully finish a Pomodoro and tick it off your list.’
‘The timer sparks a sense of urgency and motivates you to accomplish tasks.’
Even as a non-superstar academic, I can agree with this. I don’t have a tomato-shaped timer, but I do use the 25-minute timer on my phone regularly to tick off work tasks, after which get away from my desk for five minutes and make a tea, have a chat with a colleague or put the laundry on if I’m working from home.
What I love about this technique that 25 minutes feels like a very achievable length of time to concentrate for, but you’d be surprised how much you can get done if you don’t allow any other distractions in. Often, I’ll find myself dismissing the timer and continuing with the piece of work I’m on – although I haven’t quite reached Van Horen’s standards, who told The Times ‘I can work for two hours quite easily on just one topic — no email, no phone, noise-cancelling headphones on — and then take a break and then do another two hours.’
If you’re struggling to concentrate then this free and easy method is definitely one I recommend, and according to Van Horen ‘There’s a plethora of scientific research that supports the effectiveness of the Pomodoro Technique. Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can improve mental agility and decrease fatigue, leading to higher levels of productivity.’
