I used to be able to focus easily. I could study for up to 10 hours at a time and not complain. I experienced my own series of unfortunate events. The last four years have seen my parents and dog die from diseases. It didn't help that it happened at the same time as a global epidemic. I made digital media my bread and butter because I am a genius.
I started off in a bad way. My focus was in a state of disarray after all that time was spent. I would walk into a room, forget why I was there, return to the room I arrived in, and forget again. You only have a month before you are expected to be a functioning human again. I didn't know how to do it It was a tomato timer that I was surprised by.
The Pomodoro technique uses Pomodoro Timers. The idea of dedicating 25 minutes to a task was developed in the 1980's. You can take a break between five and 10 minutes. You can take a longer break after four Pomodoros, but only after 25 minutes. If you finish early, you can either review your work or plan Pomodoros. The length of intervals and breaks can be adjusted to fit your needs.
I have been using Pomodoro timers off and on for the past decade, but they never really stuck. They were mostly used to study for exams. I was playing fast and loose with the timer.
I had to plan funerals at home and in South Korea. I had to learn how to deal with real estate sharks, consult with lawyers, and explain to a Citibank rep that my mom was dead and couldn't call. I didn't know where to start because my to-do lists looked like drugstore receipts. I couldn't concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. I need a Pomodoro timer with a to-do list.
I found Focus To-Do after searching the internet. It had never stuck before so why would it now? At the end of the first week, I noticed that I was a lot better at getting things done. The tiny annoying tasks are put on the back burner. I felt immense relief when I was done with those tasks.
The app will give you an estimate of how long your list will take. I was able to better visualize what I could do today and what I had to do the next day. How long I spent on recurring tasks was learned by it. It takes me six to eight Pomodoros to complete 2,000 words.
It was a chance to take some time for myself.
I had a chance to take some time for myself. As long as I wasn't chained to my keyboard, I could do anything I wanted. I would water my plants and pick up packages. I would go for a walk outside or play with my cat for a long time. My grief made me feel like I couldn't do anything I liked. I was unable to do more than show up to work because of it. The space for me to relax was created by the silly timer. It has been a long time since I felt like myself again.
This didn't happen over night. Over the course of this year, it happened slowly. I didn't notice the change until a few weeks ago. Everyone has their own way of dealing with grief. If you have been searching for a way to organize your time, this is a great tool to try. The Pomodoro Technique and the one I use don't have to be followed. I certainly don't. It's possible to use an app on your phone. Sometimes you need a push. Tomatoes are good for that.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
