Increasing Efficiency with Pomodoro

🍅 The Pomodoro Technique: Why It Works With the Brain (Not Against It) 🧠 When I recommend strategies in neuropsychological work, the Pomodoro Technique is one of my favorites. ⏱️ How it works: • 25 minutes of focused work • 5 minutes of rest • Repeat 4 times, then take a longer break 📚 Why it’s effective (brain science): • Respects attention span limits — our brains fatigue with sustained effort. • Uses the Zeigarnik Effect (unfinished tasks stick in memory), keeping momentum alive. • Prevents decision fatigue by structuring work/rest cycles automatically. • Builds self-regulation skills: the timer acts as an external executive function support. ✨ How I use it in recommendations: • For students → chunking homework and study sessions prevents overwhelm. • For adults with ADHD or EF challenges → external timers provide accountability and keep tasks manageable. • For professionals → reduces burnout during long projects or back-to-back meetings. 💡 Bottom line: The Pomodoro Technique isn’t just a productivity hack — it’s a brain-aligned strategy that supports attention, regulation, and follow-through.

🔍 Ever feel lost in a sea of tasks? I did, until I discovered the Pomodoro Technique. It's a simple yet powerful way to enhance focus and productivity, one that I've personally found transformative. Here's how I've been using it to sharpen my focus. I start by setting a timer for 25 minutes, dedicating this time solely to work, followed by a 5-minute break. These intervals, called "Pomodoros," are short enough to maintain high levels of concentration and long enough to make significant progress on tasks. What surprised me was not just the improvement in my work quality, but also in my well-being. The scheduled breaks kept me refreshed and less prone to burnout. Plus, the sense of accomplishment after completing each Pomodoro was incredibly motivating. One of the key benefits I noticed was how it helped me break down large projects into manageable chunks. This made daunting tasks feel more approachable and reduced my inclination to procrastinate. Another unexpected advantage was the boost in my time management skills. By being more aware of how I was spending my minutes, I became more efficient in other areas of my life too. Critically, the Pomodoro Technique taught me the value of single tasking over multitasking. The focus on one task at a time led to higher quality work and less stress. Adopting this method has not only improved my productivity but also my approach to work and life. It's a testament to the power of simple changes leading to significant impacts. For anyone struggling with focus or productivity, I highly recommend giving the Pomodoro Technique a try. It might just be the significant change you're looking for. 🌟 I'm Amer Nizamuddin, sharing thoughts on leadership, career growth, and more. Stay connected for narratives that inspire change and community. Follow #amersnotes for continued insights. #LIPostingChallengeIndia #LinkedInNewsIndia #productivity #pomodorotechnique #timemanagement 

I Was Drowning In Busy Season! (Then I Found This Mental Hack) Ever felt your brain was being pulled in 8 different directions at once? That was me a few months back. 4 different clients. Long hours workweeks. 1 auditor - Me. And the problem wasn't the amount of work. It was something far more dangerous. My mind was constantly shifting: From Task A to Task B. From Client 1 to Client 3. From urgent email to random ping. Each switch felt like it drained a little more of my mental battery. Until one week, I hit empty. Know that feeling of heaviness in your head? When your thoughts feel like they're wading through mud? That's where I was. But I refused to accept this as "just part of the job." There had to be a better way. And after weeks of experimenting, I found 3 mental hacks that saved my sanity. These aren't your typical productivity tips. These are survival techniques for anyone juggling multiple clients. Here's what worked for me: 1. Your Brain is Not a Storage Device Your mind wasn't designed to remember things. It was designed to GET THINGS DONE. So stop forcing it to be your to-do list. Every time a manager pinged me with a request, I immediately wrote it down in OneNote. Not tomorrow. Not "when I have time." IMMEDIATELY. Then I'd mentally release it. Think of your brain like your smartphone – when too many apps are running in the background, everything slows down. Close those background apps. 2. Treat Client-Facing Tasks Like Hot Potatoes When juggling multiple clients, everything seems urgent. But here's the truth: Not all urgent tasks are created equal. My breakthrough came when I realized this simple rule: Anything that goes directly to a client takes absolute priority. Emails. Deliverables. Meeting preparations. Think of them as hot potatoes – get them off your plate FIRST. Everything else? It can wait for 25 minutes. 3. The 25-Minute Forcefield I started using the Pomodoro Technique – 25 minutes of intense focus, followed by a 5-minute break. During those 25 minutes, I created a mental forcefield around myself. No emails. No Slack pings. No team check-ins. Just me and ONE task. Unless you're in a live client meeting, NOTHING is so urgent it can't wait 25 minutes. The most surprising benefit? This practice didn't just save my work life – it saved my personal life too. Before, even when talking with my parents, my mind would wander to pending tasks. Now, I'm fully present wherever I am. If you're in a client-facing role juggling multiple projects, these techniques aren't optional – they're essential for your mental health. Are you constantly task-switching? What techniques have worked for you? If you enjoyed reading this, it's a snippet from my FREE weekly newsletter where I share everything about my audit lessons and concepts. #audit #productivity #mentalhealth #consulting #clientmanagement

The secret to getting more done: Take breaks. Yes, it's that simple. Those who know me know I love chatting about productivity and efficiency. There's just something satisfying about gaming your way through a difficult situation and coming out of it for the better. One technique I often use is the Pomodoro Technique. Simply stated, you focus intensely on a single task for about 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat four times, then take a longer break. Though it sounds counterintuitive, taking more breaks throughout your day actually leads to better productivity. Researchers have studied the Pomodoro Technique, and there's scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Why does this work so well? Our brains aren't built for non-stop focus all day. They need time to rest and recharge. By working in short bursts, you maintain high levels of focus and energy. The frequent breaks prevent burnout and keep you fresh. Use this time to stand up, stretch, or grab a glass of water. Step away from your screen. Let your mind wander. These short pauses help you avoid mental fatigue and eye strain. This technique is a lifesaver for busy professionals. It helps you manage your time better and increases your output. You'll finish your day feeling accomplished, not drained. Fun fact: The Pomodoro technique was named by an Italian university student in the late 80s who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to track the intervals, known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato. 🍅 🇮🇹 Do you use this technique? What works for you? Share in the comments.

Ever feel like there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it? You’re not alone. Managing tasks effectively isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Two tools I use daily to stay focused and productive are the Eisenhower Matrix and the Pomodoro Technique. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 Not all tasks are equal. Some demand immediate attention, while others are distractions in disguise. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you decide what matters most and what to ignore. Here’s the small modification I use since it’s just me, myself and I, at this time: • 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Do these tasks now. They have deadlines and real consequences. • 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁: Schedule these. They move the needle long-term but don’t need immediate action. • 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: (Delegate these.) I look at these as a running list of somedays (Someone else would handle in a different, perfect world), but I review weekly and use the EM to determine what needs to remain and what could be eliminated. • 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Eliminate them. These tasks waste time and energy. This method keeps you from drowning in busy work while ignoring what actually drives progress. Then to make the priorities happen. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲 Even with the right priorities, distractions can kill productivity. The Pomodoro Technique keeps me locked in and moving forward. • Work for 𝟮𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 with zero distractions. • Take a 𝟱-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 to reset your mind. After the first sprint, I actually take 𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 between 2 and 3 (coffee is required in the morning session!) • Repeat four times, then take a 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸. • Short bursts of focus prevent burnout and make big tasks feel manageable. It works because it forces action. You stop overthinking, stop procrastinating, and just do the work. Getting things done isn’t about endless hours. It’s about making smart choices and staying locked in when it matters. When you combine the right priorities with focused execution, productivity isn’t a struggle; it’s a system. … And let’s be honest, none of this happens without coffee and music. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” And, those who know me say, “Without caffeine, mornings (and Joe dealing with people) would be impossible.” #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessTips #StartupStruggles #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurshipJourney

I used to watch the clock and dread my writing deadlines. But here's a game-changer for managing  your writing time effectively: → The Pomodoro Technique Here’s how it works: ⤵️ 1. Select one writing task. 2. Set a timer for 25 minutes. 3. Work with focus, no distractions. 4. Alarm rings? Take a short 5-minute break. 5. After 4 Pomodoros, take a 15-20 minute break.  Here’s why it works: - The Pomodoro Technique is about working efficiently, not just hard. - Regular breaks refresh your brain for the next productive session. - Progress is made one small step at a time. And the best part? This method turns your overwhelming writing projects into bite-sized,  achievable goals. Perfect for those big, scary assignments. Because it’s all about tiny, consistent improvements. P.S. Got any time management tricks? Drop a comment.  I’m always on the lookout to learn something new.