“Lost time is never found again” - Benjamin Franklin
and so begins my experiment with “Pomodoxing”
Our reality, stripped bare
Let’s be frank, time is a commodity we all take for granted while paradoxically observing its lean reserves - “time flies”, “not enough hours of the day”, “its been so long, where does the time go!”, “I must find the time to do that”…
And if you felt a small rush of resonance (or panic) at reading that sentence, the chances are you have a list of things to do for which there is also never “enough” time.
Is only a life limiting diagnosis, or near death experience, sufficient to challenge our assumptions about time? Situations which eliminate that quiet assurance there’s always more of it.
The truth is, we simply don’t have an infinite supply of time and, as you might have learnt from the practice of meditation, the only currency we have to trade with is now.
Rocking the clock
This whole subject is very timely (sorry!) for me as I’ve finished a contract on Friday, which means several things.
I need* to add to my roster of paid projects
I need to ensure that this gift of time isn’t frittered away like handfuls of confetti (something I have been guilty of as an “Inbetweener”)
I need to find that elusive balance of managing my job search, side projects and mental wellbeing (and just on that, here is a snapshot of my most recent mind map to quantify the size of this challenge)
What my “running club” taught me
I recently participated in a writing sprint organised by
because I love to write but am terrible at creating (and protecting) dedicated writing time, so here was my chance to break, or interrogate, my habits.I thought of it as a running club because we were a community of sprinters, slogging it out, spurring each other on. Sprint comments were a blend of tips, empathy and rallying cries - an unexpected goldmine of riches - made all the more meaningful by our shared adventure and willingness to be vulnerable.
You see, I don’t find it easy to talk about my writing because I’m afraid any doubts I voice aloud will confirm me as the literary charlatan I must surely be!
But these sprinters offered me safe passage to succeed, fail and pivot across a week of dedicated writing sessions.
And time management was a challenge for many of us.
Tools for walking that walk (because you can’t always sprint)
Pomodoro
One tool suggested was the Pomodoro technique (using a timer to create sprints of around 25 minutes in which you completely focus on a particular task).
Without worrying about your time stores you simply become immersed in a bubble of productivity until the alarm sounds.
Timeboxing
Another useful, less known tool is timeboxing:
“Timeboxing is a simple time management technique that involves allotting a fixed, maximum unit of time for an activity in advance, and then complete the activity within that time frame.”
And it’s all about the activity. Because while I can go cock-a-hoop with the timer, how will I know I’m using that allotted time effectively, covering all my goals?
Timeboxing is about planning and Pomodoro is the execution of that plan.
My public, productivity mash-up experiment
So, for the next two weeks, as I size up my capacious schedule (and ensure I don’t end up slumped in front of reruns of Dallas) I’m going to experiment with “Pomodoxing”.
To give you some context of the breadth of projects that will cover, I’m revamping my website, drafting a new website about Cornwall, working on my coaching and mentoring assignments, developing two books and learning about herbalism so my candle and fragrance making side hustle is rooted in nature.
I’m cognisant there are things that will naturally become deprioritised based on earning needs, creative antennae and a distinct lack of hours in the day (hark, the excuses are at the ready!) but I’m certain this exwercise will help me reflect on what I need most, now, too.
So, if I can make pomodoxing work, anyone can!
I’ll be posting daily updates in Note form to share how it’s going (and when it’s gone 😂) and will round up the fortnight with some useful templates, tips and reflections.
*note my use of the word “need”. I’m not about the “shoulds” or “coulds” which often form part of the well meant detritus reserved for job seekers. You must always focus on, or at least acknowledge, what YOU need.