The Power of 50:10:50
I’ve just heard this tip via Jeff Walker who got it via his mentor. It is so simple and yet effective that I had to stop and share it right away.
If you have important tasks to complete, the one thing which really gets in the way is interruptions. They can be our own fault such as checking e-mails or going onto Facebook (for example) or exterior such as family and children interrupting us.The 50:10:50 method is for when you want to get something done. You block out 50 minutes where you will do nothig but the task. You take 10 minutes to rest or have a coffee and then you go back for the next 50 minute block of time. Then you finish.
Jeff does this three times per week. He uses the time to write articles and develop new products. If we don’t use this method or at least work without distractions then we either get nothing done or take two or three times as long to get it done. That of course is a criminal waste of time.
I’ve found an online stopwatch program which is useful if you are using your laptop to work.
Let me know how you get on.
Paul Browning
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9 Comments
Hi Paul, this is a great article about time management and a technique that works very effectively. It’s likely this was derived from the Pomodoro Technique by adjusting the work and rest times. I believe all people have different cycles, and I’ve found my sweet spot to be 30 minutes on and 3-4 min off, which bigger rests after 3-4 cycles.
There are some very useful techniques described for identifying and analyzing one’s internal and external distractions. I think you would be very interested.
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
Thanks Dan
Paul
I’ve started to apply this and it is working well. I need to turn off my phone and e-mail so I don’t get distracted.
Cheers
Paul
I just started really studying, and turning off the cell phone helps alot!
I am nervous with a stopwatch beside, but if I can really focus I can be more efficient given the same time.
I like this idea. It is important to take a short in between large blocks of time spent working. You can stretch, get a snack/drink, or whatever else you enjoy.
The online stop watch works great, and I’ve also used the advice from 4 hour workweek which has helped me become a lot more efficient.
This is a really good technique. I did something similar when I was a student to help me get the most out of my study time. I think it is smart to give yourself a time restriction so that you are more able to focus. If you let it go on without boundaries, you can spend far too much time letting your mind wander.