You’ve read my blog post here about productivity: How to Remain Productive, and you’re working on your task list. Now you’ve managed to find some uninterrupted time to get things done.
Uninterrupted time is a gift and you’re ready to get down to work, but, frustratingly, you may still be feeling restless and having trouble staying task-focused.
Playing music can help. Try Noisli for background noise that helps you to work more productively.
Having a place to work that’s cheerful, well-lit with natural light, and comfortable may help. (Personally, I work at a small desk with limited surface space for clutter. It forces me to clean up regularly if I want to make space for a coffee cup!)
If it’s a matter of staying more task-focused, then you may want to try the Pomodoro method.
You can research here about the Pomodoro method: Pomodoro Technique. It’s fairly straightforward – work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. It works because it forces you to stay task-focused for that 25 minutes and the frequent breaks keep you from feeling burnt-out. I suggest using that break to reward yourself – a stretch, maybe a snack?
Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t go for 25 minutes without interruption as some environments aren’t amenable to it. Do your best to let people know that you need some space and turn off your phone and notifications if you can. If your boss walks in or the baby cries, pause your timer and try again as soon as you can.
I like to use an app as a Pomodoro timer. Many apps have additional features, but at a basic level they automate the timing and provide notifications. They are also useful for keeping track of how well you do.
Marinara Timer is a great website with a simple Pomodoro timer. It tracks your session times so that you can see how you did. If you prefer to use your mobile device for a timer, then Pomodoro Keeper for iOS works well; Clockwork Tomato or Simple Pomodoro for Android.
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