Try Others' Methods. Create Your Method

This is why I created the toolset on my website: to help you discover your ideal productivity strategy and get started.

In the last entry we talked about being precise and finding the right tools. But tools aren't everything. You need to build your own way of doing things, one that coexists with the methods of the people you work with. Without the right method, tools are useless. Try out your best approach and keep testing what suits you.

The Pomodoro technique

One tool I've used in the past is the Pomodoro timer. I was looking for productivity tips when I stumbled upon the Pomodoro technique, a time-management method that caught my attention not only for its usefulness but for its lore: Francesco Cirillo repurposing a kitchen timer from his grandmother's kitchen was somehow relatable.

Cirillo structured the technique in the late '80s as a simple six-step process:

1. Decide on the task to be done.
2. Set the pomodoro, usually for 25 minutes.
3. Work on the task.
4. When the timer rings, stop and take a short break of 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Repeat steps 2–4 until you complete four pomodoros.
6. After the fourth, take a long break of 20 to 30 minutes.

Rinse and repeat as needed. Once the task is done, review the work and the process by asking yourself: what outcome did I achieve? What did I learn?

And if you finish the work before the pomodoro ends? Use the time to review what you've done and make small improvements.

Finding your current ideal method is essential to enjoying the process.

I'm not saying you should use this method in particular — I barely use it nowadays. I'm saying that finding your current ideal method is essential to enjoying the process.

Who it helps

The technique is easy to adopt and can be useful if you:

• Struggle with concentration.
• Feel overwhelmed by work.
• Tend to procrastinate.
• Aren't very motivated to finish a task.
• Lose track of your projects.

Some experts, like psychologist Emma Goodall, say the Pomodoro helps break work into manageable chunks, reducing the anxiety tied to the cognitive load of large tasks. People sharing their experience on Quora and Reddit highlight how training discipline and focus, and enjoying breaks without distractions, can significantly boost productivity.

A small toolset to start creating today

That's why I built a simple version of the tool. In the toolset you'll find:

• A simple but effective Pomodoro timer: 25 minutes of focus and a 5-minute break.
• Links to constantly updated creative resources: my Spotify playlists, a Pinterest board, Awwwards, Fonts In Use, Uncut, and colour palettes from Coolors and Adobe Color.

If you're already used to productivity techniques, adjust the length of pomodoros and breaks to the complexity or intensity of your tasks. The resources are picked to complement yours, not replace them, and everything is kept brief so you get the most out of your time.

Explore the tools, try the timer on your next project, and tell me what else you might need — drop me a line anytime.