Integrating Pomodoro into Routines

Between job hunting, building AI automations, and managing our new puppy, I've discovered a time management trick that’s changing the game. Curious? So, I had a revelation. You know those moments when you’re juggling a million things and feel like you’re barely holding it together? Yeah, that’s been me. But here’s the kicker – I found a way to manage my time without losing my mind. Intrigued? Let me spill the beans. 🗓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 Ever heard of time blocking? It’s like scheduling your day into neat little chunks dedicated to specific tasks. Think of it as creating a series of appointments with yourself. I started by blocking out time for my biggest priorities – work projects, gym, even that elusive “me time.” And guess what? It’s been a game-changer. Here’s how it works: ▶ Identify Your Tasks: List out what you need to get done. ▶ Block Your Time: Assign each task a specific time slot. Be realistic about how long things take. ▶ Stick to It: Treat these blocks like actual appointments. No skipping! 🍅 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 Now, let’s talk Pomodoro. It’s a time management method that breaks work into intervals, usually 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. After four “Pomodoros,” take a longer break, say 15-30 minutes. Here’s the scoop: ✅ Set a Timer: Work for 25 minutes. No distractions. ✅ Take a Break: Give yourself 5 minutes to stretch, grab a coffee, or check Instagram. ✅ Repeat: After four sessions, reward yourself with a longer break. 🧙♂️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲 Balancing these techniques is key. Here’s what I learned: ✅ Mix It Up: Use time blocking for overarching structure and Pomodoro for intense focus periods. ✅ Be Flexible: Sometimes things come up. Adjust your blocks but don’t abandon them. ✅ Self-Care: Remember to block time for breaks and relaxation. Your brain needs it. Real-Life Example Just the other day, I had a packed schedule. Meetings, emails, and a looming deadline with a new client. I started with time blocking, scheduling each task throughout my day. Then, during each block, I used Pomodoro to stay laser-focused. Even with our new puppy demanding attention and my AI automation projects needing tweaks, by 5 PM, I was done with my to-do list and had time to unwind. Who knew time management could feel so liberating? Your Turn Give it a try. Start small. Maybe block out your morning or use Pomodoro for your next big task. See what works best for you and tweak it as needed. The key is finding a rhythm that keeps you productive and sane. So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: a little time blocking, a dash of Pomodoro, and a sprinkle of self-care can work wonders. Have a great week and happy time managing! P.S. What time management hacks do you swear by? Hit reply and let me know! Let’s share the love and the sanity. 😊

Balancing Maker and Manager Modes. The root of this challenge lies in what Paul Graham described in his essay Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule. In short, there are two types of schedules: Maker’s Schedule: Built around large, uninterrupted blocks of time for deep work. Even one meeting can disrupt this flow. Manager’s Schedule: Filled with multiple short blocks of 30-60 minutes for work meetings and what Graham calls “speculative meetings”—casual networking over coffee without a clear agenda. The real difficulty arises when you have to combine both roles. As a founder, you wear many hats: meeting with the team, pitching to VCs, attending speculative meetings (since roughly 1 in 5 creates a new opportunity), and tackling focused work. A common solution is to group meetings into one or two days, but that’s not always feasible for me. With a team in Portugal, clients in the U.S., and investors worldwide, my meetings are often spread out throughout the day. It's hard to dive into deep work when I only have an hour between calls. Here’s the trick I’ve started using: an old-school Pomodoro technique with a twist. The System: I commit to completing six 30-minute Pomodoros each day. I track my progress in a Google Sheet shared with two friends, Pasha and Dennis, to stay accountable. The Tools: I use a physical Cube Pomodoro Timer and record my Pomodoros in a notebook. This helps me avoid distractions from my phone or laptop. Opening messengers or emails often drags me into reactive mode, so staying offline is key. This approach has made me far more productive. When I have 30 minutes, I turn on the timer, shut out distractions, and focus entirely on the task. Knowing I need to log my progress in Google Sheets by the end of the day keeps me accountable, and breaking work into manageable chunks makes even a fragmented schedule feel productive. If you’re juggling roles like I am, this simple system might work for you, too.

We're not using our time wisely. Juggling a multitude of responsibilities as a female founder is no easy fit. It’s Tuesday. Your client has called an emergency meeting. You are a small company and one of your key personnel has called in sick. You have a tight deadline coming up. Your car needs to go to the garage. Your child has a docs appointment this week. Your kids schools have their conferences on this week. Your husband is out of town. You’re a single mother. Period! Your mind just can’t focus right now. You get the point!! What lies ahead doesn’t have to feel like a hustlers life. Here’s a simple technique can help boost your productivity during the few hours you have for work. The Pomodoro Technique is my go to nowdays and it works wonders. Here's how you can implement it in your daily routine: 📌First, set aside a couple of hours each to focus on your business. 📌Call this your focus time and allow yourself to believe that if you do not show up for it, you are stealing from your business. Set Up Your Environment Create a distraction-free workspace by: - Turning off notifications on your devices - Using website blockers to limit access to distracting sites - Finding a quiet space to work or using noise-cancelling headphones Plan Your Tasks Start your day by: - Identifying your most important tasks - Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks - Estimating how many pomodoros each task will take Use a Timer Choose a timer that works for you: - A physical timer (like the original tomato-shaped one) - A digital timer app on your computer or phone - A web-based timer like Pomodor or Marinara Timer Follow the Pomodoro Cycle 1. Set your timer for 25 minutes 2. Work on a single task with full focus until the timer rings 3. Take a 5-minute break 4. Repeat steps 1-3 four times 5. After four pomodoros, take a longer 15-30 minute break Track Your Progress Keep a record of your completed pomodoros to: - Measure your productivity - Identify areas for improvement - Motivate yourself to stay consistent Adjust as Needed Customize the technique to fit your work style: - Experiment with different work/break intervals - Adapt the method for meetings or collaborative work - Be flexible with unexpected interruptions Stay Consistent Make the Pomodoro Technique a habit by: - Using it regularly, even on busy days - Gradually increasing the number of pomodoros you complete - Reflecting on your progress and adjusting your approach as needed The key to making this a success is to maintain focus during work intervals and truly disconnect during breaks. With practice, you’ll be amazed at how effective you can be. Let me know which technique works for you in the comments.

🔍 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