OnePlace Supports The Pomodoro Technique of GTD

Posted by Dana Larson on January 22, 2010

I recently came across an article published in October 2009 from Web Worker Daily entitled The Pomodoro Technique: A GTD Alternative?” After reading the article, I found myself relating to the issues that the Pomodoro Technique claims to alleviate.

If you’re not familiar with it, the Pomodoro Technique is a way to manage time and projects to get the most accomplished. It targets those people who are easily distracted by outside factors when trying to get work done, and those who have anxiety over looming deadlines and the “ticking clock.”

So how does the Pomodoro Technique work exactly? It’s pretty simple to test and follow - just apply these five easy steps:

  1. Choose a task to complete
  2. Set a timer for 25 minutes
  3. Work on the task until the timer dings
  4. Take a short break (about 5 minutes)
  5. After 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break

I have to admit that I can become easily distracted when completing tasks. I always want to see what has been updated on Twitter and Facebook, read new emails and check to see if discussions have been updated in OnePlace. I also tend to feel increased anxiety when I have many tasks coming due in the next few days, which can cause me to lose sleep each night. These are all personal issues, I know, and I’ve learned how to deal with them on my own. But I am intrigued by how the Pomodoro Technique helps these issues as well.

What I also discovered as interesting is that OnePlace is already set up to work with those individuals who find the Pomodoro Technique effective. Tasks in OnePlace can easily be assigned and scheduled without a deadline, so users don’t feel overwhelmed by upcoming due dates.

OnePlace tasks also have a built-in task timer, so users can monitor 25-minute task intervals, take a break by pausing the task, and start again when their break is finished. And when they need a longer break, they can take it and be easily aware of what is upcoming and what has already been completed.

So while small business teams and individuals can use OnePlace as a traditional project management and team collaboration solution, individual team members can use OnePlace to work to their advantage to become more successful.

Have you found success with the Pomodoro Technique? What other techniques do you use to stay focused and keep yourself productive?

 
Dana_larson Dana Larson - OnePlace Marketing Manager. Dana represents the best of a new generation of communicators adept at engaging across all media, from traditional to social. A sweet but somewhat snarky gal whose career in marketing has easily transcended from big agency to agile small business, Dana blogs regularly about business, collaboration and productivity solutions at http://blog.oneplacehome.com. You can reach Dana at dana.larson at oneplacehome dot com.
Tags: PomodoroTechnique, ProjectManagement, SmallBusiness, TaskManagement, TimeManagement, TimeTracking
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