First coined by Francisco Cirillo back in the 1980s, the Pomodoro technique is now a working method we’ve all heard of. You know how it goes – you write a to-do list, set a timer for twenty minutes, and then take a five-minute break. Do this four times, and you can treat yourself to a longer break of thirty minutes before the process begins again.
It’s a basic model and one that can have a transformative impact. Whether you’re working from the office or looking for tips on how to stay focused on the go, you could certainly do a lot worse. But, what you might not realise is that the Pomodoro method can also significantly boost your earnings. And, we’re going to consider how.
The productivity boost
Perhaps most notably, the Pomodoro improves productivity. In fact, according to the official site, you should see a marked difference in as little as a day or two. But, that’s not altogether surprising when you consider how this technique operates. After all, mental fatigue is a significant productivity problem and one that’s sure to strike if you work without stepping away. By comparison, even just five minutes of stretching can reboot your focus. And, that’s before we consider how much that ticking timer can help to prevent procrastination. You simply won’t need to check things that occur as you’re working when you can take care of that during your designated five-minute slot!
Improved time management
The Pomodoro also brings the marked benefit of improved time management, a skill that’s almost single-handedly sure to help you knuckle down and make money. The increased pressure of those timed slots does, of course, contribute to this a great deal. Perhaps even more valuable, though, is the focus on writing a to-do list when you begin each timed quarter. This way, you’ll be better able than ever before to know precisely what you need to do, and what time you have to do it in. As simple as that, you can arrange working days that mean you never again neglect any task in waiting.
A chance to assess your progress
Thanks to those five-minute breathers, you’ll also be in a better position than ever to assess your progress as you go and make tweaks as necessary while you’re still working on any given project. This is in direct contrast to working straight through on a project and sending it away without truly taking a step back. Trust us; merely stepping away from that screen for five minutes makes it far more likely that you’ll spot spelling mistakes and errors before sending them straight to a client’s inbox. The result? Less time reworking already-paid projects, and far more chance that clients will want to work with you again in the future.
Admittedly, the Pomodoro technique isn’t for everyone. If you’ve held off trying it for now, though, why not give it a go? You might just find that the earnings boost is more than worth the effort.
