Time Blocking with the Pomodoro Method

Hey friends,

We are excited to announce the start of The ONE Thing newsletter! Every week you can expect a brief, helpful message that guides you through an element of our 3 P Process: Purpose, Priority, and Productivity. Thanks for reading!

Three decades ago, entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo created the Pomodoro Method — a time management technique that has become one of the most popular productivity tools used all across the world. The Pomodoro Method is based on the practice of time blocking. Cirillo found that using a timer to block for a task helped him focus and get more done.

If you’ve read The ONE Thing, you already know that we’re big proponents of time blocking. Time blocking is simply making an appointment with yourself in order to complete a specific task. Adding a time block to your calendar helps you to organize your time more effectively while improving your focus.

When time blocking, you are dividing your day into chunks — allocating time to your most important tasks of the day. The Pareto principle states that 20% of our activities generate 80% of our results. Time blocking is most effective when we’re carving out time for the 20%.

One key feature of the Pomodoro Technique is batching in 25 minute time blocks. By grouping similar tasks together (otherwise known as batching) into one time block or consecutive time blocks, you can:

• Streamline resources
• Increase concentration
• Minimize distraction
• Refrain from multitasking

If you are like most people, you are likely wondering why each time block is 25 minutes in the Pomodoro Technique. The answer is actually quite simple: Twenty-five minutes is long enough to get meaningful work done, but short enough to not exhaust a person and limit their effectiveness throughout a day. If you’re really on a roll, schedule a double Pomodoro for 50 minutes with a 10 minute break. 

Our brains, just like our muscles, can only handle so much exertion at once. Time blocking plays off this physiological hurdle by accomplishing tasks in short bursts of hyper-focused activity. When you only have to work for 25-50 minutes, you can give the task your complete focus without getting distracted or exhausted.

Block in specific periods of time to cover everything that’s important to you and has to get done. If it’s on the plan, you’ll do it. If it’s not on the plan, it gets squeezed out by all the other demands on your time.

By planning out time blocks, you’ve created an efficient and organized system that will keep you from jumping around to different types of tasks. When you minimize the need to refocus and adjust to new types of tasks, you’re making better use of your time. 

Time blocking is a simple yet powerful technique that can help you increase productivity and focus. By planning out your day in advance and allocating time to your most important tasks, you can make the most of your time and avoid distractions. Give time blocking a try and see how it can improve your work and life balance.

Free Time Block Training

Did this concept resonate with you? If so, join us Thursday, March 9th for a free ONE Thing training focused on time blocking. Here’s what you’ll learn…

• Reduce stress and anxiety by learning the value of effective time blocking.
• Learn strategies for protecting your time blocks and deferring pop-up tasks.
• How to say “No” or “Not Now" to little things so you can say “Yes" to the most important things in life and work.
• Find out what's happening inside of the ONE Thing community to support you in achieving your goals.

Click here to join us March 9th for The ONE Thing time blocking webinar.

See you there!

The ONE Thing Team

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