In the last edition, we introduced you to the Pomodoro technique. Due to the positive nature of the feedback we received on that article, and the many people who looked for more information, we decided to run another article to expand on the technique.
In order to grasp how and why the Pomodoro technique works, we must first look at how the brain works.
There are two modes of “thinking” that have different modes of “operation” in the brain, namely Focused and Diffused.
And knowing the difference between the two, can make learning more productive!
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Let’s start with diffuse thinking. Diffuse thinking is the method the brain employs when you are in a relaxed state. It happens when you are
falling asleep, when exercising, or just chilling out. Here, pathways (groups of associated neurons) fire up and flash on and off attempting
to “come up” with new patterns based on the day’s learnings and experiences. Most good eureka ideas happen while in the “diffused mode’.
Focused thinking, is the method employed when concentrating on a particular task, or while learning new material. During the “focused mode”, the brain is attempting to ‘create’ or recall, a specific neural pattern. This mode of thought requires a larger energy input than the diffused mode. Neurons fire out tentacle like appendages called dendrites, little spears that look to “handshake” with the synapses of the other dendrites. It is the connection of two dendrites (via their tips called synapses) that starts the formation of new neural patterns. The process outlined above requires energy. Lots of energy. And, this is why multi-tasking does not work!
Specifically, multi-tasking involves the brain firing up other patterns of neurons that are nowhere near relevant to the task at hand. Not to mention requiring energy that should be routed elsewhere.
The brain can hold, form and ‘recall’ neural patterns, successfully only if uninterrupted, and for periods of no more than 25 minutes at a time. Any longer than this and the brain begins to ‘loose focus’. This results in you becoming easily distracted, agitated, and feeling like “nothing is going in”. Through practice of the Pomodoro technique, you can learn how to keep your brain running at an optimal level, thus ensuring productivity. The following are some helpful tips to aid you in performing your first ‘Pomodoro’:
1.Choose a task: Select one task and one task only. For many multi-taskers, this may feel like a step backward in productivity. But after a while, you’ll find you are much more efficient when you give all your focus to one task.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes: Yes, just 25 minutes. Don’t worry about whether or not the task can be completed in that time. Just get as far as you can.
3. Work on your task until the timer rings. Then put a checkmark on a tracker: Remember, that’s 25 minutes of steady, focused work on ONE task. No emails. No phone calls. No checking Facebook. No distractions permitted!
4. Take a 5-minute break: You’ve just completed your first Pomodoro! Go ahead, update your Facebook. Send that email.
By James Hanrahan, Change Management & IT Consultant.
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