Tag: productivity

Work-Life Balance – Why It Is Essential to Maintain Harmony in Job and Personal Life

written by PRIYA ACHARYA

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life is crucial. With increasing work demands, people often find themselves overburdened, leading to stress, fatigue, and a decline in overall well-being. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success and happiness.

The Importance of Work-Life Balance

Improves Mental and Physical HealthExcessive workload can result in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle and irregular eating habits can lead to physical health problems. Striking a balance allows individuals to focus on their well-being, ensuring a healthier lifestyle.

Enhances Productivity and EfficiencyOverworking does not necessarily lead to higher productivity. In fact, employees who maintain a work-life balance tend to be more efficient and focused, leading to better performance and job satisfaction.

Strengthens RelationshipsSpending quality time with family and friends is essential for emotional well-being. Neglecting personal relationships for work can lead to loneliness and dissatisfaction. A balanced approach allows individuals to nurture meaningful connections.

Reduces Burnout and StressConstantly working without breaks can lead to burnout, reducing overall enthusiasm and creativity. Taking time off helps in rejuvenation, ensuring sustained motivation and innovation.

Tips to Maintain Work-Life Balance

Set Clear BoundariesAvoid taking work home and establish a clear separation between professional and personal life. Define working hours and stick to them as much as possible.

Prioritize Tasks and Manage Time WiselyOrganizing tasks based on urgency and importance can help in effective time management. Utilizing productivity tools can also enhance efficiency.

Take Breaks and Practice Self-CareShort breaks during work hours improve concentration and prevent exhaustion. Engaging in activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies can also contribute to overall well-being.

Learn to Say NoTaking on excessive workload can be overwhelming. It is important to set limits and decline tasks that are beyond one’s capacity.

Utilize Flexible Work OptionsMany companies now offer remote work and flexible schedules. Taking advantage of such options can help in better time management and reduce commuting stress.

Conclusion

A healthy work-life balance is essential for a fulfilling life. By prioritizing well-being, setting boundaries, and managing time efficiently, individuals can enjoy both their professional and personal lives. Employers and employees must work together to create an environment that fosters productivity without compromising on personal happiness. Ultimately, a balanced life leads to greater success and satisfaction in both career and relationships.

Written by Priya Acharya

Balancing Act: How to Increase Productivity Without Burning Out

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In today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of productivity is often accompanied by an alarming rise in burnout. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, the pressure to perform can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, achieving greater productivity doesn’t have to come at the expense of your well-being. Here are several effective strategies to help you enhance your productivity while maintaining a healthy balance to avoid burnout.

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1. Understand Your Limits

Recognizing your limits is the first step toward sustainable productivity. Pushing yourself beyond your capacity can lead to exhaustion and decreased performance. It’s essential to assess your workload realistically. Consider keeping a journal for a week, documenting your tasks, energy levels, and feelings. This reflection can help identify patterns and pinpoint when you’re most productive, allowing you to plan your most demanding tasks during those peak times.

2. Prioritize Tasks

Once you’ve gained insight into your limits, it’s time to prioritize tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix is a useful tool for categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance. Divide your tasks into four quadrants:

  • Urgent and Important: Do these tasks immediately.
  • Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these for later.
  • Urgent but Not Important: Delegate if possible.
  • Not Urgent and Not Important: Consider eliminating these tasks.

By focusing on what truly matters, you can allocate your energy more effectively, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals is vital for maintaining motivation and productivity. Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long to-do list, break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach not only makes tasks seem less daunting but also allows you to celebrate small victories along the way, boosting your morale and motivation.

4. Embrace Time Management Techniques

Effective time management is crucial for enhancing productivity without leading to burnout. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can help you work efficiently while providing necessary breaks. This method involves working for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This structure allows you to maintain focus and prevents fatigue, ensuring you stay productive throughout the day.

5. Take Breaks

It may seem counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks can enhance productivity. Research shows that short breaks can improve focus, creativity, and overall performance. Use these breaks to step away from your workspace, stretch, or take a short walk. Engaging in a brief physical activity can rejuvenate your mind and body, helping you return to your tasks with renewed energy and focus.

6. Practice Mindfulness and Stress-Relief Techniques

Incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine can significantly enhance your productivity while reducing stress. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or even simple moments of silence can help center your thoughts and calm your mind. Taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness can increase your focus, improve decision-making, and foster a positive mindset.

7. Create a Supportive Work Environment

Your environment plays a crucial role in your productivity levels. A cluttered, noisy, or uncomfortable workspace can lead to distractions and decreased focus. Take the time to create a space that promotes productivity. This could involve organizing your desk, using ergonomic furniture, or adding elements that inspire you, such as plants or motivational quotes.

Additionally, to minimize interruptions, consider establishing boundaries with colleagues or family members regarding your work hours. A dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a corner of your home, can signal to yourself and others that it’s time to focus.

8. Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care goes beyond a mere trend; it’s essential for sustaining productivity while avoiding burnout. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise is vital. Insufficient sleep can impair cognitive function and elevate stress levels, so aim for 7-9 hours of quality rest each night.

Investing in a comfortable pillowtop queen mattress can significantly enhance your sleep quality. Maintaining a balanced diet and incorporating regular exercise into your routine will boost your overall well-being and resilience.

9. Learn to Say No

One of the most challenging aspects of maintaining productivity is knowing when to say no. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with commitments, whether they’re work-related, social, or personal. Learning to say no allows you to focus on your priorities and prevent overcommitting yourself. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your well-being and existing responsibilities over additional tasks or obligations.

In Conclusion

Increasing productivity doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health and well-being. By understanding your limits, prioritizing tasks, and implementing effective time management techniques, you can achieve a more balanced approach to productivity. Embracing mindfulness, creating a supportive work environment, and prioritizing self-care are all essential components of this balancing act.

Remember, it’s not just about working harder but also about working smarter. With these strategies, you can enhance your productivity while safeguarding against burnout, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and sustainable work-life balance.

7 Effective Hacks to Improve Productivity

Whether it is education or work, every one of us strives to be productive. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and meaning in life. It helps us achieve our goals. However, being focused on your work and staying away from the many distractions around us like the internet and social media is not always easy. There are a lot of us who feel that we could have done more than we did after leaving work. If you are looking for ways to improve your productivity and efficiency, here are a few hacks you could make use of:

Plan your Day in Advance

Write down everything you need to do in a day the night before or the morning. This helps you get a good idea of what you have to do every day, at what time, and for how long. Making a schedule of the day also prevents you from missing out on any of your tasks or appointments, making you alert enough to not waste any of your time accidentally. Start by writing down your morning routine and then move on to all the tasks you have to do in a day (meetings, submissions, working hours, doctors’ appointments, etc).

Wake Up Early

This is something a lot of us find difficult to do, but practicing waking up early and making it a routine can be very beneficial. Start the day early with a fresh, energized mind and body. You can get a lot of your work done because of the head start you get in the morning. Working early in the morning also means fewer distractions. A productive start to your day makes you feel positive and you carry that momentum for the rest of the day.

Prioritize your Tasks

When you have planned your schedule for the day in the morning, take some time to write down the three most important tasks of the day. We may have several jobs to complete, but not all of them will have the same priority. To ensure that we use our limited time and energy to complete them, note down the three tasks with the greatest outcomes or significance in detail. For example: – Instead of writing down –“Review literature source”, make it- “Review the literature sources on the topic Preserving Indian culture and submit the report before 5 pm”.

Take Regular Breaks

Just because you have a daily schedule and a prioritized to-do list does not mean you can easily work non-stop for hours. You may have noticed that you are usually able to remain fully concentrated on your work for a maximum of 90 minutes. The best way to manage time for work is by giving yourself regular breaks between tasks. There is a popular technique called the Pomodoro technique in which work is divided into time intervals of 25 minutes with a 5-minute break in between. After 4 such consecutive intervals, there is a longer break of 20 or 30 minutes. Taking breaks helps us re-focus and re-energize, improving our productivity.

Learn to Say No

Being helpful and enthusiastic with your co-workers and boss is good, but it could lead to you having to handle a large number of tasks and responsibilities. These may be more than you can handle. Do not be hesitant to say no to people who are trying to place too many responsibilities on your shoulder. If it is your boss explain to them professionally how you would have to delay some of your other work or show them your task list. Such extra work can reduce the quality of your work and cause a lot of stress.

Avoid Multitasking

Juggling a lot of tasks at once may look like a good idea as you get to save time doing multiple jobs done. But it is not always as efficient as you think. When you multitask, you do not get to put your full attention to anything. None of the tasks you completed will be a job well done. So, it is better to focus on one task at a time and complete it to perfection.

Manage your Work Environment

The environment in which we work can have a major effect on our productivity. Messy desks, noise and other distractions can waste a lot of our time. Make sure your tables and shelves are organized, and your desks and chairs are comfortable enough for your work. You get more time for work if you are not spending a portion of it searching for something at your table.

Techniques to Manage Time Efficiently

Time and tide wait for none and that is why time management is such an essential skill to possess. It is useful in planning and organizing activities and being productive, both at work and in your personal life. It helps you reach your goals, reduce stress and remain motivated. So, time management is basically about managing yourself efficiently in the time available to you. There are a lot of tips and tricks you can use to improve your time management skills. Here are some of the most popular and effective time management techniques:

Keep a To-do-list:

A to-do list is one of the simplest yet most useful ways to manage your time. Whether you write down in a notebook or make notes in mobile applications, this habit helps you be aware of all the tasks you have to complete. You can plan your tasks daily, weekly, or monthly, and ensure productivity. These tasks may be quick jobs completed in minutes or bigger ones that could take days or weeks. Striking away the tasks you have completed at the end of the day is very satisfying and also gives you an idea of how productive you have been.

Set Goals:

Having set goals in your work and personal life is one of the most important steps to achieve success in life. When you have a goal to reach and stick to it, you automatically get all the motivation you need. Your main goal can be broken down into smaller goals or steps which would eventually lead you to the final aim. Things get done faster and more effectively. For an organization, goals determine its vision, and priorities.

Prioritize your Work:

Prioritizing your tasks and goals makes you a lot more efficient and productive. Keep the most important and valuable work at the top of the list so that they are dealt with first. Prioritizing helps you take care of the tasks that matter the most and not put too much effort into tasks that are not as important. Allocate time for performing these tasks and activities according to their priority.

Take Regular Breaks:

Remember to give yourself regular breaks between your work to make sure you do not feel too tired or unmotivated. Breaks help you refresh and boost your productivity. You can spend your breaks reading, watching films, listening to music, walking, or indulging in any other fun and enjoyable habits. As an employee, you are entitled to regular breaks between your working hours. So, make sure your organization provides it.  

Exercise Regularly:

Exercising regularly is a sure way to maintain your health as well as reduce stress. Spending some time in a day jogging, working out or doing yoga helps you clear your mind of distractive thoughts and increase your energy levels. So, make sure to spend some time on exercise.

Maintain a Routine:

Nothing helps you manage your time and stay motivated as maintaining a good routine, particularly in the morning. Try not to open social media first thing in the morning, focusing instead on better practices like exercising, cleaning, meditating and eating a healthy breakfast.

Be aware of when you are the most productive in a day and allocate more work for those hours. If you are a morning person, schedule your work hours in the morning. If you are a night owl, spend time working at night. Manage your work and time according to your preference to be the most productive.

Reward Yourself:

Once you have finished a major task or achieved a goal on your to-do list, do not forget to reward yourself. Reward your hard work and dedication by taking some time for yourself and doing what you like. You can talk with your friends, eat food you like, or read your favourite book!

PROCRASTINATION AND PRODUCTIVITY


Since the global pandemic, covid 19 had made a lot of changes in our ways of life, we are facing a lot of problems also. Nowadays, as most people and students work and study from home, their procrastination also increased. The habit of procrastination was present in most people, but this change to work from home increased this habit to a certain level. Procrastination is the habit of delaying an important task, usually focusing on less urgent, more enjoyable, and easier activities instead. The biggest challenge these procrastinators feel is the inability to start. The word procrastination originated from Latin “procrastinatus“, which itself evolved from the prefix “pro” meaning and “crastinus” which means “of tomorrow”. This can lead to make us feel guilty or ashamed and it leads to reduced productivity and makes a chance to not achieve our goals.

So it is important to stop the habit or reduce the habit of procrastination for achieving our goals. The first step to reduce procrastination is to realize that one is procrastinating. This understanding is important to tackle to this. If one is doing low priority tasks instead of high priority ones, and waiting for “right time”are the signs of procrastination. So realizing that you are procrastinating is necessary. The next step to tackle this habit is to understand why you are procrastinating. Lack of organization can sometimes lead to procrastination. The use of to – do lists to schedule tasks, can reduce this problem to a certain extend. Even a to do list user can still procrastinate. The fear of failure and poor decision making can lead to procrastination. So, after understanding that one is a procrastinator, and why you are procrastinating the final step is to adopt procrastination strategies. Various anti procrastination strategies are making to do list, organized tasks, prioritizing tasks, write down the tasks etc. Promising a reward after completing a task is also another method to avoid procrastination. Minimizing distractions like turning off social media notifications and television are another method to avoid procrastination. There are various mobile applications for users to avoid procrastination, and to stay focused for doing tasks. So by following these steps one can avoid the habit of procrastination and achieve their goals.

Six Reasons Why You Should Start Using A To-Do List

In a world full of distractions, with beeps and pop-ups ruling  most parts of your day and dozens of thoughts floating in your head, staying focused is a herculean task. Amidst all the chaos, one thing that can help you stay sane is the good old productivity tool – To-Do List.

Having said that, you should also know that it is a double edged sword. This age-old technique has a reputation of hurting productivity. The key however is in knowing how to use it effectively. 

With a lot of speculation and confusion doing the rounds about this tool, it’s natural that you may end up being double minded about whether or not to use it. Listed below are 6 points which can aid you in your decision making process.

Frees up a hell lot of space in your brain

Whether it’s the list of items you need to buy, the ideas that popped up while you were doing laundry or the schedule of the meetings you need to attend, cramming your brain with a hundred thoughts is definitely not something it would appreciate. By doing so, you are not only overwhelming the brain but also using up the energy and space that could otherwise have been used for more productive stuff. So please do yourself and your brain a favour – get it all out of your head, put it on a list and thank me later !

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Throws the ‘Oops ! I Forgot’ excuse out of the window

As much as we all would like to remember every single detail about everything, let’s face it, not many of us have that extraordinary memory power. So if you don’t have it written down somewhere, it’s only natural that you may forget some of the things that you really wanted to remember. To-Do lists are visual reminders of all the tasks that you wanted the brain to remember and when you have it right in front of you, it’s impossible to miss any.

Helps you to organise and prioritise the tasks

Prioritising the tasks and focusing on the most important ones can be challenging when you have a lot going inside your head. Without that clarity, instead of sending out that important email to your client, you may end up decluttering your closet. When you have all the tasks listed out right in front of you, it becomes much easier to analyse and sort out what needs to be done right away and what can wait.

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Acts as a roadmap to your long term goals

Suppose you are travelling from Chennai to Kolkata.You know your starting point and also your destination. But without knowing how to proceed and which route to take do you think you’ll ever reach Kolkata ? In the same way your long term goals are the end results that you want to achieve and the tasks act as your milestones which give you an idea about the route that you need to take in order to reach your end goal. By breaking down the long term goals into tiny actionable steps and putting them on your list, you get a clear idea on the course of action you are supposed to take.

Helps calm your monkey mind

There may be times when your mind suddenly decides to remind you about the gift that you need to order for your friend’s birthday while you are trying hard to focus and complete the article due for the day. It now becomes the responsibility of the brain to remember this and in an attempt to do so it loses focus on the task at hand. Putting this newly popped up task on your list takes the weight off the brain and gives your restless mind an assurance that it will eventually be taken care of.

Checking off an item on your list gives you that daily dose of dopamine

When you finish a task and check it off your list, your brain feels a certain sense of success. And as a reaction to it, it releases a small amount of dopamine which in turn makes you feel happy and good about yourself. Crossing out an item from your list is something that can instantly make you feel good and motivates you to take action on the remaining tasks.

Bottom Line

Your To-Do List should be something that motivates you to get up each day and work hard to crush those goals that you have set for yourself.It is supposed to elevate your overall happiness and not pull you down. Instead, if you find your list giving you nightmares or panic attacks, chances are that you might not be using it the right way. Figure out strategies on how to effectively make and use a To-Do List and try incorporating them in your process and I’m sure with the right strategies and complete dedication to the process you will definitely see the results. Good luck !

Assertiveness – An Essential Life Skill Everyone Should Master

Have you ever wondered how some people have a natural ability to express their opinions and views confidently, politely turn down the things that they don’t want to do and still manage to maintain a good rapport with people ? Do you think it is some superpower that they are born with ? Well, this superpower that they possess is called Assertiveness. And the good news is that with the help of the right strategies and dedicated practice, you too can develop this superpower.

What is assertiveness ?

Assertiveness is a healthy behaviour that helps you  express your views, feelings, needs and desires  in a calm, clear and reasonable way without  disrespecting the other person.It is a crucial life skill that enables you to stand up for your rights without undermining those of others’. Assertiveness doesn’t come naturally to most people. Often, they tend to respond passively or end up responding aggressively. At times people may also choose to respond in a passive-aggressive manner, which can be considered as a combination of these two types.

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Why do you need to be assertive ?

Passive people often end up doing things that they really don’t want to do in an attempt to please others and eventually it takes a toll on their self esteem and confidence. On the other hand, the aggressive ones, though most of the time manage to get their ways, often find their insecurities getting worse due to their behaviour and end up being lonely and dissatisfied in life. In the case of passive aggressive responses, it may work well initially, but in the long run, the guilt of not being open and honest with people starts weighing them down and affects their relationships with people adversely.

By being assertive, you are honest in your thoughts and words and express yourself clearly, while remaining empathetic and fair. An assertive person knows how to strike a balance between speaking up for himself and respecting the rights and beliefs of the other person. They are firm without being rude and also adept at handling their emotions. 

Well, it all sounds good in theory, but putting it into practice requires a lot of effort. Be prepared for the numerous sighs, eye rolls, I-Can’t-Believe-You-Said-No lectures, rants on how disrespectful and rude you are etc., that are bound to come your way during this journey of being assertive. But trust me once you have passed the initial phase of discomfort, you will find that it’s way less stressful and a lot easier to express yourself effectively.

How to be assertive ?

Have a clear idea about your core values and beliefs

Only if you have a clear understanding about yourself and your core values, will you be able to express yourself clearly and confidently. A good place to start is by assessing your behaviour, style and thought pattern. Identify those beliefs that prevent you from standing up for yourself. Look out for the triggers that blow your fuse. Dig deeper into your mind and identify your core values. Ask yourself  whether your actions and responses align with your core values. This understanding of yourself and your values is the foundation of self confidence which in turn is the cornerstone of assertiveness.

Speak up even if your voice shakes

Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you don’t particularly agree on the thing that the majority agrees with, instead of nodding along or yelling at them, try putting across your views honestly in a clear and composed tone. It might be difficult in the beginning and you might have a hard time controlling your emotions and tone. But with practice you’ll find your confidence and ability to articulate your thoughts gradually improving. Trust the process and keep practicing.

Accept both the bricks and bouquets gracefully

Whenever you are starting out on something new, you are bound to face criticisms and if you are lucky you might end up winning a few compliments as well. Accept both with an open mind. Graciously accept the compliments and train yourself to handle criticisms positively.

I.Wish.I.Could.But.I.Don’t.Want.To 

If you were to ask a people pleaser what scares him the most – dealing with Dracula or saying No – chances are high that his answer would be the latter. Well, saying No can be hard not just for people pleasers but for everyone. But it is one of the crucial skills to master on your journey of becoming an assertive person. Acknowledge the request and then give a short but clear and honest reply. Remember that neither do you owe anybody a justification nor an apology for your decision. In any relationship, people generally appreciate transparency and by being open and honest about your feelings you are doing yourself as well as the other person a favour.

Practice Active Listening

Active listening is a skill that helps you better understand the other person’s perspective. While being assertive, respecting and considering the other person’s opinions and views is as important as articulating your thoughts. So it is important that you pay attention to what the other person says. Don’t shy away from asking questions if you need further information or clarification. By giving the other person room to explain himself, you are laying the basis for a constructive discussion and by attentively listening to him you are giving yourself a chance to view things from his perspective.

Watch your tone and body language

To have the desired impact, it’s not enough that you express yourself respectfully and honestly but you also need to maintain an assertive body language and tone while you speak. A relaxed open posture, good eye contact and the perfect mix of firmness and composure in the tone play a vital role in projecting your confidence. And this applies both when you are speaking as well as listening. 

‘I’ vs ‘You’

While expressing yourself, one thing that you need to keep remaining yourself is that your focus should be on the issue and not on pulling the other person down. To get your points across firmly and respectfully, use phrases like ‘I feel’, ‘In my opinion’, ‘I would like’  etc . The impact the expression  ‘I feel that my choice would be better in this case’  makes is way different from the one  the expression ‘Your choice is terrible’ makes . The latter points fingers at the other person and ridicules his choice whereas the former gets your point across without engaging in the blame game. 

Take a moment to reflect on your progress

Every time, after you’ve faced a situation where you acted assertively or at least tried to do so,  take a moment to reflect on what went well and what did not. Remember not to be too hard on yourself. Taking time out to review your progress helps you in understanding how far you have come in this journey of being assertive. It also gives you an opportunity to identify your weak points and the areas you need to work on. Also, helps you in identifying your behavioural patterns and thought process better. Consistent practice, along with periodic reflection, makes sure that your ride ahead is safe and smooth

Final Thoughts

Assertiveness may be a natural trait for a lucky few, but for most people it is a skill that needs practice and time to develop. During this journey, if you find yourself slipping to aggressive or passive modes, at times, just keep in mind that even the person who has won the ‘The Most Assertive Person of the Year’ award may not respond assertively 100% of the time. Instead of beating yourself up for such occasional goof ups, focus your attention on learning from them and fine tuning your assertiveness skills. Good Luck !

Get More Done : Strategies for an Effective To-Do List

The term ‘To-Do List’ evokes different images for different people. For some it is that of a never-ending-ever-growing scroll of magic paper that gives them nightmares. For others it might come across as something only the boring folks, who schedule even their loo breaks, do. And then there is another bunch who considers it to be their life saviour which keeps them sane through the madness of their daily chores and tasks. 

Whatever be the image that you have conjured up, a fact that one cannot deny is that an effective to-do list is one of the simplest yet powerful productivity tools that can work wonders in increasing your overall productivity. 

Though it is one of the best and most efficient productivity techniques around, the success of it depends on how effectively it is being used. Moreover, if not used in the correct way, it can do more harm than good. 

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So, let’s now see some of the strategies to help you kick-start your art-of-making-the-perfect-list journey 

Pick a suitable medium

Choosing a medium that you are comfortable with is the first and foremost thing to be considered while making a list. It may differ according to the personal preferences of people. It doesn’t matter whether you choose an app or the good old pen and paper, what is important is to stick to the one that you have chosen.Having your tasks scattered across different mediums makes managing and tracking the tasks difficult.

Dump all those tasks eating up your brain to the list

Transfer all those ideas, goals and tasks to the medium that you have chosen. Don’t bother assessing its value or prioritising it (yet). For now, just dig out every single thing from your brain and dump it onto your list.

Identify the ones which align with your purpose

It’s important that you need to have a clear idea about what you want to accomplish in life and accordingly pick tasks that’ll help you realise your goals. Write down clearly why you need to do the task and how it adds value to your life. Identifying your whys gives the brain the much needed motivation and energy to tackle the task.

Break the list into multiple lists

So now you have a big list of all the items that aligns with your long-term goals listed right in front of you. This list will contain all your goals listed out together. Let’s now split them into separate lists . Three basic lists that you can use are : 

  • The Master List , where you keep a list of your long term goals .For eg: Write a novel. Here, you could categorise the goals as personal, professional, finance, health etc. 
  • The Weekly List contains all those items that need to be ticked off by the end of the week. This would essentially contain tasks which would help in achieving your long term goals, plus other things that need your attention during the week. 
  • High Impact List is the one that contains the tasks which are of the highest priority and needs your immediate attention. These might or might not be related to the other two lists. 

Apart from these you could also keep a separate list for the daily activities that you need to track. For eg : If Doing exercise is something that you want to track on a daily basis, then instead of adding this item to your high impact list, add it to a separate list which is meant solely for daily activities. 

You can come up with as many lists as you want. But I would suggest not to overdo it (then you might end up having to come up with another list to track the list of lists ! ). 

List down tasks, not goals on your list

Your master list is the one where you have all the goals listed and when it comes to creating weekly lists, you need to make sure that you break your goals down into actionable items and put those on the list. In this way, you get clarity on how to go about with achieving the long term goals. Make it as specific as possible.

Prioritize 

From the weekly list, identify the items that are of the highest priority and move them to the High Impact List. This is the list that you need to follow to keep track of the items that need to be completed by the end of the day. Sit with your list and identify the ones that are urgent and important and rank them accordingly. Setting priorities makes sure that you don’t end up cleaning your kitchen drawer when you have an important assignment due for the day.

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The shorter the better

One of the mistakes people make while creating a list is to cram up the list with as many items as they can think of. By doing so chances are high that you may end up not finishing most of the tasks on your list. And, there is nothing more depressing than staring at a long list of pending tasks at the end of the day. So keep it short. There is no hard and fast rule as to the maximum number of items that you can put on your list. Start with as low as three and experiment and find out the number that works for you. 

Set a time limit for each task and measure the time taken

Each person has a different pace at which he works. To find out yours, roughly estimate the time you think you would need to complete a task and once you are done with the task, compare it with the actual time taken. This way, you will have a realistic idea about how many tasks you can complete in a day and can accordingly decide the length of your list. 

Break bigger tasks into a set of smaller tasks

While you time your tasks, you might come across some tasks which need more time.Say for example, writing a blog post might not fit into the two hour window that has been allotted to it. In such cases, break the task down into a number of smaller tasks – research the topic, write, edit, select pictures etc. By breaking it down, you will have a clear step-by-step strategy listed right in front of you.Also, instead of waiting to check off that one big monstrous item, you can now check off 3-4 small items. That’s a pleasure in itself, isn’t it ?

Create a May-Be-Later-If-I-Feel-Like list

This is one of my personal favourites. All those items that you want to do but which are neither urgent nor important go on this list. Say for eg: learn to knit, may be something you might want to do but definitely not when you have a project release coming up the following week. 

Always expect the unexpected

As much as we all want everything to go as planned, in reality that’s not always possible. At times, unexpected events may pop up. So, it’s always a good idea to leave a bit of cushion time between your tasks. Not just that it leaves you with some wiggle room in case of emergencies but also provides you that much needed breather from the tasks on normal days.

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Block time for yourself

Always always always make sure to take some time out of your schedule to relax. Burnout is real ! So it’s really important that you find time to pause, breathe and relax. Adding break time to your list is essential to help the brain maintain its focus and energy levels. 

Revisit and Re-evaluate your list periodically

Constant evaluations and reevaluations are needed for this productivity tool to work effectively. At the end of each day set aside some time to sit with your list and reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Move those items which you feel are of low priority to your may-be list. Re-prioritise the list, play around with it and you will eventually figure out a strategy that works best for you. It’s all about experimenting, buddy !

 Make the list the day before

Though it is not a rule that you should make the list on the previous day, it is always better if you can do so. At the end of each day, after you evaluate your list for that day, you would already be in a state of mind where it is easier for you to figure out what items need to go on the list for the next day. Also, if you have a list of tasks ready right in front of you in the morning, you know exactly what’s on your plate for the day and hence you can use your morning energy on productive stuff rather than wasting it on planning your day.

Create a Done List

Even if you hate every other list mentioned above, this is one list that you are gonna love. It is a list of all the tasks that you have accomplished. Once you complete a task, along with crossing it off from the main list, add it to your Done List. That’s double the euphoria, you see ! This list is a reminder to yourself of how close you have come to your end goal and is an instant mood booster on days you feel low. Also, do not forget to celebrate even the smallest of your milestones.

Bottom line

Learning to make an effective to do list is not something that you can master overnight. It takes a lot of experimenting to figure out the strategies that work for you. There are no hard and fast rules here. Remember not to obsess too much with the idea of making that perfect list in the first go. Have patience and keep experimenting until you figure out a strategy that best suits your needs. Good Luck !

How To Break The Procrastination Cycle & Get Things Done

It’s 9 in the morning. You are fresh and focused and all set to work on that challenging project which needs to be completed urgently. You sit at your desk and fire up the laptop and while waiting for it to boot, you reach for your phone and then, as if on auto pilot, you find yourself opening Instagram (or Facebook or YouTube or news or whatever that is that you are obsessed with!) and start scrolling, and bam, the next thing you realise is it’s already 11, you are exhausted and you haven’t even logged in. Sounds familiar ? What exactly do you think happened here? Where did all that morning energy go ? Did the time just fly ? Well, this trap that most of us fall into is nothing but procrastination. 

What is Procrastination ?

Procrastination usually involves doing something easy or enjoyable instead of the unpleasant but important things that you are supposed to be doing. It is the irrational avoidance of a task or an activity. Most of the time we confuse it with laziness. Though outwardly both of them may seem similar and produce almost the same outcomes, they are fundamentally different.

Procrastination vs Laziness

Laziness is when a person is unwilling to put in the effort or energy needed to carry out a task. It is about avoiding responsibilities completely.Procrastination, on the other hand, is when a person has an intense desire to do the task and is even willing to put in the effort needed, but is stopped by an inner resistance or barrier that has been put up between his mind and the task at hand. Say for example, on a Sunday if you decide that you are not going to do anything but curl up on the couch and binge watch your favourite show, then you are deliberately making a choice not to do anything else at all on that day. On the other hand when you have an important assignment to submit and the deadline is fast approaching but you decide to put it off and  watch Netflix instead, then that’s a classic example of procrastination.

Effects of Long Term Procrastination

Long term procrastination can have serious adverse effects on our mental and physical health.The longer you procrastinate, the more overwhelming the task becomes, which in turn may cause anxiety, guilt and stress. Overall productivity of the individual decreases over time with procrastination and this might even lead to depression. As our mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined, a decline in one can have a serious negative impact on the other. Over time, chronic procrastination not only has productivity costs but also impacts our physical and mental wellbeing adversely.

Causes of Procrastination

Procrastination may stem from the need of the emotional part of our brain for instant rewards. When you have to deal with a task that is overwhelming or boring or unpleasant, the brain tries to find out ways to avoid doing it by replacing it with something easy or comfortable or instantly gratifying. And the momentary relief that the brain feels while putting off the task is the reward it gets for procrastination. And it’s our natural tendency to repeat things that we are rewarded for and thus this becomes a cycle rather than a one-off behaviour.

Procrastination may also be due to underlying mental health issues. People with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) find it hard to stay organized and have difficulties with time management which can make a task seem overwhelming. Consider a chinese enrichment class to help them learn faster. 

Those suffering from depression tend to have low self esteem which makes them doubt their ability to successfully complete a task. Anxiety also plays similar tricks on the brain and instills a fear of failure and lack of confidence in the person. 

Surprisingly, perfectionists are often procrastinators.The fear of doing a task imperfectly can lead them to putting off the task indefinitely. 

Certain other traits like poor decision making skills, lack of structure, ambiguity, absence of personal meaning and lack of instant gratification may also lead to procrastination.

How to Overcome Procrastination ?

  • If you are procrastinating because you find it boring or unpleasant, then try to focus on the long term benefits of completing the task. Identifying the long term benefits would help in aligning your present self with the future self. Also, it is equally important to focus on the consequences of putting off the task.  Think about all the ways in which not doing this task would affect you. Listing down the impact of avoidance of the task in the major areas of your life would give a realistic view about the situation and give the brain that necessary push to get you started on the task.
  • The brain finds it easier to deal with tasks which are unambiguous and properly structured. When you have a pile of half finished or pending  tasks, your brain goes into a state of panic, which makes focusing even on a single task difficult. Setting a roadmap with well defined milestones and breaking down the task into tiny manageable units can help in tackling those tasks which might otherwise seem overwhelming. Knowing what, how and when to do a task brings about a structure and clarity to the task.
  • More often than not, procrastination may also be a result of underlying mental health issues. Emotional regulation and stress management under the guidance of a therapist may be the best course of action in such cases.
  • In most cases, the biggest challenge one may face is in getting started on a task. For those struggling with the starting trouble, taking the tiniest possible first step would help in overcoming the inertia. Keep a timer for 5 minutes and tell yourself that you would stop after 5 minutes and get started on the task. Once you are successful in getting the brain to stay focused for those 5 minutes, then you are most likely to get into the flow of the task and continue doing the task. Just push yourself to take that initial step and the rest will follow.
  • Fear in any form – The fear of failure, fear of judgement or fear of rejection- holds you back from getting out of your comfort zone and is yet another reason why most people procrastinate. List down all possible fears and  worst case scenarios that you have conjured up in your mind. Once you have it all listed out right in front of you, analyse each of the scenarios. If you feel that your fear is logical and rational, then try and find ways to combat it. Cross out the irrational ones. Think about your whys and about what really matters to you. Ask yourself – Would you rather do it and face the consequences or give in to your fears and regret not doing it, years later ? 
  • The brain often looks for instant rewards. Putting off a boring or difficult task provides a relief which gives the brain the much needed instant gratification. Unless you give the brain a better offer, it continues to find ways to satisfy its craving for quick rewards. So rewarding yourself with a treat after the completion of a milestone would be a good idea to trick the brain into doing similar difficult tasks. Also focusing on and internalising the ‘feel good vibes’ that you get once you complete a difficult task would make the brain crave for such similar experiences which would eventually help in breaking the procrastination loop.
  • Thanks to scroll-culture, the attention span of most of us today has reached almost to the level of a goldfish’s. It just takes a beep from the phone or a mail pop up or even the sound of our own internal voices for us to get distracted. Not surprisingly, people who have difficulty in staying focussed on the task at hand tend to be master procrastinators. So stay away from the phone, close all those unnecessary tabs and if possible disconnect from the internet before you start an important task. When it comes to the constant chatter of your mind, try and find ways to calm it down through meditation or other calming techniques. You can also try writing down the random thoughts that come to your mind during a task so that they can be dealt with later. Assuring the brain that you have set aside a certain amount of time to deal with those thoughts will help in calming it down and bringing the focus back to the work that you are doing.
  • Last but not the least, rephrase your inner dialogue. When you tell yourself that you have to or you need to do a task, it creates an internal pressure on you to do it. The phrases ‘Have to’ or ‘Need to’ creates an impression that you have no choice but to do the task. Most of us do not like it when somebody forces us to work, even if we like the task. The rebel in you starts to resist and finds ways to avoid doing it. The conflict here is between you and your internal voice. So, be it any task,  rephrasing the internal dialogue to ‘I want to’ or ‘I choose to’ , puts you in a position of power. Here, you are not doing it because you have to, rather you are doing it because you want to. It makes you feel more in control and you start owning the work. Once this change in perception happens, it’s much easier to do the task, because hey, you are the boss and you are doing only those things that you really want.

To sum up, procrastination can be best described as the constant conflict between your present self and the future self. While the future self  has big dreams and goals for you and constantly comes up with ideas and plans for your bigger and better future, the present self pulls you towards the most instantly gratifying and comfortable option available. To break out of this habit loop, it is important that you learn how to manage your emotions and moods. I hope and wish that the tips mentioned above would help you kick-start your journey towards curbing procrastination. Good Luck !

The Ultimate Productivity Hack is Saying No

The ultimate productivity hack is saying no.

Not doing something will always be faster than doing it. This statement reminds me of the old computer programming saying, “Remember that there is no code faster than no code.”

The same philosophy applies in other areas of life. For example, there is no meeting that goes faster than not having a meeting at all.

This is not to say you should never attend another meeting, but the truth is that we say yes to many things we don’t actually want to do. There are many meetings held that don’t need to be held. There is a lot of code written that could be deleted.

How often do people ask you to do something and you just reply, “Sure thing.” Three days later, you’re overwhelmed by how much is on your to-do list. We become frustrated by our obligations even though we were the ones who said yes to them in the first place.

It’s worth asking if things are necessary. Many of them are not, and a simple “no” will be more productive than whatever work the most efficient person can muster.

But if the benefits of saying no are so obvious, then why do we say yes so often?

Why We Say Yes

We agree to many requests not because we want to do them, but because we don’t want to be seen as rude, arrogant, or unhelpful. Often, you have to consider saying no to someone you will interact with again in the future—your co-worker, your spouse, your family and friends.

Saying no to these people can be particularly difficult because we like them and want to support them. (Not to mention, we often need their help too.) Collaborating with others is an important element of life. The thought of straining the relationship outweighs the commitment of our time and energy.

For this reason, it can be helpful to be gracious in your response. Do whatever favors you can, and be warm-hearted and direct when you have to say no.

But even after we have accounted for these social considerations, many of us still seem to do a poor job of managing the tradeoff between yes and no. We find ourselves over-committed to things that don’t meaningfully improve or support those around us, and certainly don’t improve our own lives.

Perhaps one issue is how we think about the meaning of yes and no.

The Difference Between Yes and No

The words “yes” and “no” get used in comparison to each other so often that it feels like they carry equal weight in conversation. In reality, they are not just opposite in meaning, but of entirely different magnitudes in commitment.

When you say no, you are only saying no to one option. When you say yes, you are saying no to every other option.

I like how the economist Tim Harford put it, “Every time we say yes to a request, we are also saying no to anything else we might accomplish with the time.” Once you have committed to something, you have already decided how that future block of time will be spent.

In other words, saying no saves you time in the future. Saying yes costs you time in the future. No is a form of time credit. You retain the ability to spend your future time however you want. Yes is a form of time debt. You have to pay back your commitment at some point.

No is a decision. Yes is a responsibility.

How to Increase Productivity? (For Work)

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

– Tim Ferris

Introduction

The definition of productivity is the effectiveness of productive effort or the rate at which a person, company, or country does useful work. In these times every single person has a lot of work on their plate, be it work from the office, school, college, or work related to the house, some extra project you might be working on, or be it just your mental health. To finish the numerous tasks, we need to be productive to finish these effectively and still be left with some time to relax and hang back from the rush of daily life. So we can say that productivity is about getting the required result in less time and effort. Increased productivity is directly related to improved time management. This article aims to list ways to increase productivity for work.

Plan Ahead

The practice of approaching work at random is one of the hindrances to productivity. When you attack work at random, you are not sure about how much more is left and by when you will be able to get to it. To deal with this, you must plan ahead, it can be daily, weekly or monthly planning. It puts you in control of how much work you have and till when you can complete it. Planning offers you clarity.

Set Realistic Goals

You should set goals in such a manner that you have set milestones that help you in knowing your destination. The best way to set goals is to follow SMART.
S – specific, significant, stretching
M – measurable, meaningful, motivational
A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T – time-based, timely, tangible, trackable.

Track and Limit

If you implement a tracking system through which you monitor how much time you take to finish one task, you will be able to understand if you are using your time effectively or not, and if not, then where are you wasting it. Every person has a different productive golden hour. By tracking your day, you will be able to understand when your golden hour is and you can schedule your work accordingly.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Being proactive helps you in avoiding the time you waste around and then rush to react in time. When you are reactive, you let others call the shot and give you the work to be done but when you are proactive, you are a few steps ahead of others and you get to call the shots.

Minimize Distractions

Most of our time gets wasted on the number of distractions that put us off our work path. Everyone has become addicted to being online and that is one of the major distractions. It is important to work smarter and set boundaries such as setting work hours during which time you will not be available to others, silencing notifications, setting time slots to check social media and emails, and not doing it during the work hour.

Get Enough Sleep

It is a known fact that not getting enough sleep has negative effects on our performance in all aspects of life but work gets affected the most. This happens because when you are working, you need logical reasoning which is done by your prefrontal cortex which gets impacted by the lack of sleep. Therefore, it is important to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

Conclusion

Once you understand the importance of productivity, you will learn that it will become a huge part of your whole life, not only when it comes to your work life but also your personal life, as when you are on top of all your work is only when you can give enough time to your personal life as well.

References

How to grow Aloevera and Uses of it

Most people know that you can use Aloevera to soothe sunburns. However, this versatile plant has several other medicinal properties, making it one of nature’s best herbal remedies. Its vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients make it an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. We can find Aloevera plant in everything from skin and hair care products to ointments, drinks.

There are 500 species of aloe vera, but Aloe barbadensis Miller, native to the Arabian peninsula, is the most widely available and most popular one. You can buy a small plant from farmers markets or small local growers, and let it grow, or buy a large plant and divide it as it gets even bigger.

Aloe vera needs a minimum of six hours of daily sunlight, so it’ll grow best in bright spots indoors (especially in the winter) or in a sheltered, sunny part of the garden. It can handle full sun, but it doesn’t need it. You can move the plant outside during summer, just make sure it receives the proper amount of light. 

Aloe vera leaves are long and slightly curved with ragged edges. Inside, you’ll find a clear gel.

Use sharp, clean kitchen scissors or a knife, and cut a bottom leaf from the base of the plant. Place the cut aloe leaf into a small cup or glass, cut end down. You’ll notice a yellow sap seeping out—allow it to drain for 10 minutes before discarding it. 

While not toxic in small quantities, this sap is bitter, has laxative properties, and can cause intestinal discomfort.

Once you get rid of the sap, it’s time to extract the aloe vera gel. Using a clean, sharp knife, trim the fleshy leaf’s top, bottom, and sides, then slice it horizontally, like filleting a fish. With a clean large spoon or a dull knife, gently scrape the mucilaginous gel into a container.

Aloe vera gel is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties.

Aloevera gel is used to treat

Acne

Dandruff

Mosquito bites

It can be also used as moisturiser and sanitizer.

WRITER’S BLOCK

Are you stuck?

Everyone who writes on a regular basis is familiar with a little situation called “writer’s block”. It is a phase where the writers are unable to find inspiration for a new article or even have a hard time keep the old one going. There is a creative lull for a period of time and there are absolutely no new ideas. This time is very frustrating for a writer because the wanders but no inspiration can be found anywhere.

Writer’s block is not necessarily caused due to lack of writing skills or lack of commitment. There are very many reasons like stress or burnout , maybe some health issues or family issues, there could be numerous other reasons. For novelists, this situation arises when they lose touch with their story or the characters in it. If there are too many distractions around it is natural for a writer to lose his writing spree and give into those distractions. One of the more complicated reasons could be that the writer is afraid to fail. Fear of failure can lead to overthinking which finally derails the writer from their main goal. Another could be the pressure of being a perfectionist and not being satisfied with your own ideas. In all of these situations the writers could still be motivated but there would be zero creativity.

If, as a writer, you are facing a writer’s block, here are some ideas that would help you get your creative juices flowing.
1. CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT: If you are cooped up in one corner of your office all day everyday trying to think, your brain will definitely go into a dead end. It is very important that you change your surroundings every once in a while. New place, new ideas and as a bonus it would be very refreshing for your brain.
2. TAKE A NAP: Sleep is the ultimate solution to majority of our problems. Lack of rest can cause unwanted stress and could ultimately lead to burnout. Even for a writer it is necessary to take 7-8 hours of sleep to reduce stress and improve the mood. Not only that it also keeps you mentally healthy and you perform better.
3. WRITE ANYTHING: An accomplished writer can make sense out of randomly written sentences too. So, if you are facing your share of writer’s block just write anything that comes to your mind. Start with writing random words and soon the words with start making sense and connecting together and voila you have your new idea.
4. DO SOMETHING RECREATIONAL: Sometimes to remove a block you need to get away from the thing all together. Take some time off and do something else than writing. Take out some paint and start painting random pictures, go for a walk, go for a hike, just divert your mind and when you are done you’ll have a whole new perspective on things. Your brain will work faster and you will come out of your block in no time.
5. TALK IT OUT: Communication is the best way to let things out. Call an old friend or talk to your family. Maybe the conversation will strike up some new ideas or will help you get that load off your mind and heart.
6. DON’T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOURSELF: Everyone wants to succeed but putting too much pressure on yourself won’t get you anywhere. Keep your perfectionist side aside and just let the ideas flow.

Just like rejection or failure is a part of your success, writer’s block is also just a phase and not something that will stick with you permanently. Don’t stop writing completely because your are facing a block. Keep going. You never know when the inspiration will knock on your door again. Be patient, remember your ideas are there somewhere in your mind just try some of the techniques mentioned above and the block will disappear in no time and the ideas will start flowing once again.

The Pomodoro Technique

We all have trouble concentrating in our lives. Many of us have to sit and study/work for hours on end, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic which locked everyone inside their homes. However, most of us find it very hard to concentrate very long on our work or studies, and we lose focus or start procrastinating after a short while. The result of this is that we complete minimal work, and end up being unproductive for most of the day because of our loss of concentration. However, there is one simple method, called the Pomodoro Technique, which helps improve productivity and focus.

What is it?

The Pomodoro method is very simple. It requires you to work/study for 25 minutes, and then take a 5-minute break. The reason this method works is also simple: evolutionary biology. The human brain is not designed to focus for extended periods of time on singular task, and is made to consider many different things in our lives. This is a result of survival instincts that have developed within us. To protect us from looming threats, the brain is in a constant state of alertness. This makes focusing on one thing for a long time very hard for your brain. So, adhering to this basic instinct, the Pomodoro method makes it possible for us to work in short bursts of time with full concentration, and then take a few minutes to relax or focus on something else so as to not tire ourselves out. This can be repeated for hours on end and helps retain focus, especially if studying for an exam or completing some work.

Also, this technique has been known to increase the quality of your work. When you take a break, you force yourself to take a few seconds to revaluate and rethink certain things. Sometimes, you find that you have to adjust your work to increase the quality of it. In contrast, when you work on a task without a break, it is easy to lose focus and get lost in the work. That is why the 5-minute breaks are equally important as the 25 minutes of work. You must take your breaks seriously and see them as a reward.

What makes it effective?

  • It makes it easy to get your work started: We may often find it uncomfortable to start a big task or project, and try to avoid doing it as much as possible until the last minute. The most effective way to break out of this avoidance cycle is to just simply start the work, even if it is with a small step. This procrastination-busting strategy is exactly what the Pomodoro technique asks you to do: break down your big tasks or projects into something you only have to do for the next 25 minutes.
  • Helps combat distractions: As mentioned earlier, it very easy to get distracted while doing your work and most of us can’t focus on the task at hand for long periods of time continuously. The Pomodoro Technique helps you resist all of those self-interruptions and re-train your brains to focus.
  • Makes us more aware of time: When most of us are planning out our work, we usually underestimate the time needed to complete the tasks, even when we know similar tasks have taken longer in the past. The Pomodoro technique can be a valuable weapon against this problem, as working in short, timed sessions is not an abstract concept but a concrete event that helps keep track of the time.
  • It is easy to do: The Pomodoro technique is an accessible technique for everyone as it is more about consistency than perfection. Each session is a fresh start to revaluate your goals, challenge yourself to focus, and limit distractions. You can make the system work for you.

Hence, in case you are having trouble with staying focused and productive, give the Pomodoro technique a try to see if it helps you, just as it as helps so many people.

Pomodoro Technique for productive study/work

” Time and tide wait for none”. No matter how many times we hear or see this clichéd quote, not all of us actually understand the essence of these words. Time management is an essential skill for aspirants of all kinds. In this fast-evolving world, one must keep up par with others to achieve their goal. The fact that smart work is better than hard work is of the essence. Productivity is smart work. One such method to maintain productivity in our daily life is the Pomodoro technique.

Pomodoro technique is a time management method where a timer is used to break down the work at hand into intervals, separated by short breaks. This method was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Each interval is called a ‘Pomodoro’ the Italian word for tomato, the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a college student.

The original technique has 6 steps

1. Choose a task you would like to get done

No matter how small or big the task is, it deserves your full undivided attention.

2. Set the timer for 25 minutes

Keep a promise to yourself that you don’t interrupt yourself for just 25 minutes. You can use your mobile timer or a good old clock for timing your session.

3. Work on the task until the timer rings

Immerse yourself. Meanwhile, if you remember anything other than the work at hand, write it down on a sheet of paper. You can give them thought later.

4. When the timer rings, tick off your completed task

Hurray! You have given your undivided attention to the task for 25 minutes.

5. Take a short break

Take a deep breath, meditate, grab a cup of your favourite beverage go for a stroll or do something that is relaxing for your brain to reward yourself.

6. After every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

A break of 20 to 30 minutes is good enough to rest, preview the information and prepare yourself for the next set of Pomodoros.

To make the best out of these Pomodoro sessions you can:

  • Use the first few minutes of the session to review what you have done earlier.
  • Set up a timetable and try to be devoted to it.
  • You can use airplane mode or do not disturb mode on your mobile. (Apply only if you are not accountable for not picking up calls 🙂
  • Be mindful of the shorter breaks. They might prolong at times, thus unsettling your next Pomodoro cycle.
  • Understand your body — find out which part of the day you are most productive. This can work wonders and get a lot of things done.

The rules of the Pomodoro technique are not necessarily rigid. If you are not able to pull up 4 Pomodoros continuously, opt for one or two Pomodoros in a day. At the end of the day, what matters the most is how much productive and focus you are in those sessions and how much work gets done. You can also vary the time interval as 50/10 (50 minutes of focus and 10 minutes of break) instead of the traditional 25/5 technique if you are quite confident about your focus.

This technique is useful if you feel distracted or overwhelmed to focus on what matters to you. It has worked well for me in this lockdown and has helped a lot in my exam preparations. Hope it works for you too!