Increasing Efficiency with Pomodoro

Balancing Maker and Manager Modes. The root of this challenge lies in what Paul Graham described in his essay Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule. In short, there are two types of schedules: Maker’s Schedule: Built around large, uninterrupted blocks of time for deep work. Even one meeting can disrupt this flow. Manager’s Schedule: Filled with multiple short blocks of 30-60 minutes for work meetings and what Graham calls “speculative meetings”—casual networking over coffee without a clear agenda. The real difficulty arises when you have to combine both roles. As a founder, you wear many hats: meeting with the team, pitching to VCs, attending speculative meetings (since roughly 1 in 5 creates a new opportunity), and tackling focused work. A common solution is to group meetings into one or two days, but that’s not always feasible for me. With a team in Portugal, clients in the U.S., and investors worldwide, my meetings are often spread out throughout the day. It's hard to dive into deep work when I only have an hour between calls. Here’s the trick I’ve started using: an old-school Pomodoro technique with a twist. The System: I commit to completing six 30-minute Pomodoros each day. I track my progress in a Google Sheet shared with two friends, Pasha and Dennis, to stay accountable. The Tools: I use a physical Cube Pomodoro Timer and record my Pomodoros in a notebook. This helps me avoid distractions from my phone or laptop. Opening messengers or emails often drags me into reactive mode, so staying offline is key. This approach has made me far more productive. When I have 30 minutes, I turn on the timer, shut out distractions, and focus entirely on the task. Knowing I need to log my progress in Google Sheets by the end of the day keeps me accountable, and breaking work into manageable chunks makes even a fragmented schedule feel productive. If you’re juggling roles like I am, this simple system might work for you, too.

Between job hunting, building AI automations, and managing our new puppy, I've discovered a time management trick that’s changing the game. Curious? So, I had a revelation. You know those moments when you’re juggling a million things and feel like you’re barely holding it together? Yeah, that’s been me. But here’s the kicker – I found a way to manage my time without losing my mind. Intrigued? Let me spill the beans. 🗓 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 Ever heard of time blocking? It’s like scheduling your day into neat little chunks dedicated to specific tasks. Think of it as creating a series of appointments with yourself. I started by blocking out time for my biggest priorities – work projects, gym, even that elusive “me time.” And guess what? It’s been a game-changer. Here’s how it works: ▶ Identify Your Tasks: List out what you need to get done. ▶ Block Your Time: Assign each task a specific time slot. Be realistic about how long things take. ▶ Stick to It: Treat these blocks like actual appointments. No skipping! 🍅 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 Now, let’s talk Pomodoro. It’s a time management method that breaks work into intervals, usually 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. After four “Pomodoros,” take a longer break, say 15-30 minutes. Here’s the scoop: ✅ Set a Timer: Work for 25 minutes. No distractions. ✅ Take a Break: Give yourself 5 minutes to stretch, grab a coffee, or check Instagram. ✅ Repeat: After four sessions, reward yourself with a longer break. 🧙♂️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲 Balancing these techniques is key. Here’s what I learned: ✅ Mix It Up: Use time blocking for overarching structure and Pomodoro for intense focus periods. ✅ Be Flexible: Sometimes things come up. Adjust your blocks but don’t abandon them. ✅ Self-Care: Remember to block time for breaks and relaxation. Your brain needs it. Real-Life Example Just the other day, I had a packed schedule. Meetings, emails, and a looming deadline with a new client. I started with time blocking, scheduling each task throughout my day. Then, during each block, I used Pomodoro to stay laser-focused. Even with our new puppy demanding attention and my AI automation projects needing tweaks, by 5 PM, I was done with my to-do list and had time to unwind. Who knew time management could feel so liberating? Your Turn Give it a try. Start small. Maybe block out your morning or use Pomodoro for your next big task. See what works best for you and tweak it as needed. The key is finding a rhythm that keeps you productive and sane. So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: a little time blocking, a dash of Pomodoro, and a sprinkle of self-care can work wonders. Have a great week and happy time managing! P.S. What time management hacks do you swear by? Hit reply and let me know! Let’s share the love and the sanity. 😊

How 250 Tomatoes Helped Me Top My Semester And Land a Google Internship! Have you ever felt that you’ve been giving your 100% to something and still aren’t able to get the results you hoped for? I’m pretty sure the answer is YES. ❇️ At some point, all of us have been there — where we’re doing everything we can, and yet things just don’t click. For me, this happened during my undergrad. Despite putting in hours of hard work, I kept messing up my viva exams. The breaking point came during my Java Programming viva, where I performed so badly that the examiner literally told me to “get lost” and gave me bad grades. It was a moment of sheer embarrassment. But instead of sulking, I decided it was time to change how I approached my preparation. ❇️ Enter: The Pomodoro Technique I came across the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s where he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. It’s simple but powerful: you work in timed intervals of 25 minutes followed by short breaks. The goal is to improve focus, avoid burnout, and build momentum through consistent effort. With 20 days left before my written exams, I made a plan: 14 Pomodoros a day Finish them before 8 PM And reward myself with guilt-free relaxation in the evenings Each day started at 9 AM, split across morning, afternoon, and evening Pomodoros. I tracked every session — by the end of the 20 days, I had clocked 250 Pomodoros, or more than 100 hours of focused study. That structure, that rhythm — it changed everything for me. The result? I topped my department that semester. My grades, which were below average until then, saw a massive boost. But more than that, I finally felt in control of my time and effort. ❇️ Years later, as I began preparing for my Google Software Engineering Internship interview, I found myself revisiting the same technique. So I mapped out a prep schedule and the Pomos kept stacking up. I used Pomos for everything: -> Solving LeetCode problems -> Mock interviews -> Reflecting on feedback and refining weak areas The Pomodoro method didn’t just help me stay consistent — it gave structure to the chaos. It turned my preparation into something measurable and by the end of my preparation I had completed almost 250 pomos. That was a confidence booster and helped me land the internship . ❇️ I have consistently used the Pomodoro technique as a time management tool for completing my tasks. I simply allocate certain pomos to each task and then start them one by one. But I also realized that they were not the only factor that contributed to my performance improvement. Things like: -> Planning your steps in advance -> Having a well-defined deadline for tasks -> Habits >> Motivation -> Quantifying your performance(e.g. Number of pomos done) -> Rewarding yourself for a task well done etc helped too. Have you ever used the Pomodoro Technique for something big? Would love to hear your story. Thank You! #Google #SWE #InterviewPreparation

Wondering why it’s so hard to stay focused for hours straight? The Pomodoro Technique might be the brain hack you’ve been looking for, & it’s backed by neuroscience. Here’s how to try it in 5 simple steps: 1️⃣ Work for 25 minutes, no distractions. Set a timer. Shut your door. Silence notifications. → If it helps, you can set the mood before: - Light a candle or diffuse calming scents - Play low-focus music or white noise - Clear your workspace of visual clutter - Keep a notepad nearby for random thoughts 2️⃣ Stay efficient until the timer rings. If random thoughts pop up, jot them down and return later. This prevents context-switching fatigue, one of the biggest productivity killers. 3️⃣ Take a 5-minute break. These short pauses reset your dopamine system and protect your brain from mental crashes and procrastination spirals. 4️⃣ Repeat the cycle. After four Pomodoros, take a longer break (15–20 mins) to let your brain reset and consolidate what you’ve learned. 5️⃣ Adjust your flow. Some thrive on 25-min bursts, others prefer 40. Experiment until you discover the rhythm that works for your brain. 🔬 Why it works: Your brain functions in natural waves of focus and rest. The Pomodoro Technique works with this rhythm, helping you stay productive and protect your mental health. As a psychiatrist, I recommend Pomodoro for anyone dealing with overwhelm, burnout, or ADHD. Because true productivity isn’t about hustling harder, it’s about working smarter with your neurobiology. ✨ Small rituals + brain science = sustainable focus. And in my next video, I’m sharing how to pair music with the Pomodoro Technique for maximum focus and mental strength. You won’t want to miss it. Ever tried Pomodoro? Or have your own rituals for getting in the zone? Share them below.

Are you overwhelmed by tasks each day? Here's how I increase my productivity... Whether you lead a small team or a large department, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. You can strictly control your calendar, but might still fall short of your daily goals. If you want to work more efficiently, try the Pomodoro Technique. 1️⃣ Set a 25-minute timer. This a "pomodoro." ↳ Focus on one specific task. ↳ Do not check email, answer messages, or jump from task to task. 2️⃣ After 25 minutes, take a break for 5 minutes. ↳ Get a cup of coffee or snack, check through emails and messages, etc. 3️⃣ Repeat 3 more times. ↳ Take a longer break of 15-20 minutes after the third pomodoro. It's a relatively simple practice to better manage your focus and productivity. The technique structures your time and tasks to avoid distractions. But here's a confession... I am not a fan, or at least not as it is usually applied. I feel that it needs some improvements. It takes several minutes to get into the task. And just as you dive deep, the timer interrupts you. So instead of 25 minutes of intense work, you really only capitalize on 20 minutes or less. Instead, I prefer a timer of 45 minutes. This guarantees enough time in the focus and flow, but also enough intervals before my productivity drops. I also don't ignore other concerns that need my attention. Back in the corporate world, I would mute all messages except those from my team. On days with a lot of meetings, it was more difficult to set a 45-minute timer. But I could still resist the temptation to jump to another task, even for 1-2 minutes. PS. What tips and tricks do you use to stay productive? 🔔 Follow Chris Cotter for more on #leadership.

🔍 Ever feel lost in a sea of tasks? I did, until I discovered the Pomodoro Technique. It's a simple yet powerful way to enhance focus and productivity, one that I've personally found transformative. Here's how I've been using it to sharpen my focus. I start by setting a timer for 25 minutes, dedicating this time solely to work, followed by a 5-minute break. These intervals, called "Pomodoros," are short enough to maintain high levels of concentration and long enough to make significant progress on tasks. What surprised me was not just the improvement in my work quality, but also in my well-being. The scheduled breaks kept me refreshed and less prone to burnout. Plus, the sense of accomplishment after completing each Pomodoro was incredibly motivating. One of the key benefits I noticed was how it helped me break down large projects into manageable chunks. This made daunting tasks feel more approachable and reduced my inclination to procrastinate. Another unexpected advantage was the boost in my time management skills. By being more aware of how I was spending my minutes, I became more efficient in other areas of my life too. Critically, the Pomodoro Technique taught me the value of single tasking over multitasking. The focus on one task at a time led to higher quality work and less stress. Adopting this method has not only improved my productivity but also my approach to work and life. It's a testament to the power of simple changes leading to significant impacts. For anyone struggling with focus or productivity, I highly recommend giving the Pomodoro Technique a try. It might just be the significant change you're looking for. 🌟 I'm Amer Nizamuddin, sharing thoughts on leadership, career growth, and more. Stay connected for narratives that inspire change and community. Follow #amersnotes for continued insights. #LIPostingChallengeIndia #LinkedInNewsIndia #productivity #pomodorotechnique #timemanagement 

I Was Drowning In Busy Season! (Then I Found This Mental Hack) Ever felt your brain was being pulled in 8 different directions at once? That was me a few months back. 4 different clients. Long hours workweeks. 1 auditor - Me. And the problem wasn't the amount of work. It was something far more dangerous. My mind was constantly shifting: From Task A to Task B. From Client 1 to Client 3. From urgent email to random ping. Each switch felt like it drained a little more of my mental battery. Until one week, I hit empty. Know that feeling of heaviness in your head? When your thoughts feel like they're wading through mud? That's where I was. But I refused to accept this as "just part of the job." There had to be a better way. And after weeks of experimenting, I found 3 mental hacks that saved my sanity. These aren't your typical productivity tips. These are survival techniques for anyone juggling multiple clients. Here's what worked for me: 1. Your Brain is Not a Storage Device Your mind wasn't designed to remember things. It was designed to GET THINGS DONE. So stop forcing it to be your to-do list. Every time a manager pinged me with a request, I immediately wrote it down in OneNote. Not tomorrow. Not "when I have time." IMMEDIATELY. Then I'd mentally release it. Think of your brain like your smartphone – when too many apps are running in the background, everything slows down. Close those background apps. 2. Treat Client-Facing Tasks Like Hot Potatoes When juggling multiple clients, everything seems urgent. But here's the truth: Not all urgent tasks are created equal. My breakthrough came when I realized this simple rule: Anything that goes directly to a client takes absolute priority. Emails. Deliverables. Meeting preparations. Think of them as hot potatoes – get them off your plate FIRST. Everything else? It can wait for 25 minutes. 3. The 25-Minute Forcefield I started using the Pomodoro Technique – 25 minutes of intense focus, followed by a 5-minute break. During those 25 minutes, I created a mental forcefield around myself. No emails. No Slack pings. No team check-ins. Just me and ONE task. Unless you're in a live client meeting, NOTHING is so urgent it can't wait 25 minutes. The most surprising benefit? This practice didn't just save my work life – it saved my personal life too. Before, even when talking with my parents, my mind would wander to pending tasks. Now, I'm fully present wherever I am. If you're in a client-facing role juggling multiple projects, these techniques aren't optional – they're essential for your mental health. Are you constantly task-switching? What techniques have worked for you? If you enjoyed reading this, it's a snippet from my FREE weekly newsletter where I share everything about my audit lessons and concepts. #audit #productivity #mentalhealth #consulting #clientmanagement

Ever feel like there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it? You’re not alone. Managing tasks effectively isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. Two tools I use daily to stay focused and productive are the Eisenhower Matrix and the Pomodoro Technique. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 Not all tasks are equal. Some demand immediate attention, while others are distractions in disguise. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you decide what matters most and what to ignore. Here’s the small modification I use since it’s just me, myself and I, at this time: • 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Do these tasks now. They have deadlines and real consequences. • 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁: Schedule these. They move the needle long-term but don’t need immediate action. • 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: (Delegate these.) I look at these as a running list of somedays (Someone else would handle in a different, perfect world), but I review weekly and use the EM to determine what needs to remain and what could be eliminated. • 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Eliminate them. These tasks waste time and energy. This method keeps you from drowning in busy work while ignoring what actually drives progress. Then to make the priorities happen. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲 Even with the right priorities, distractions can kill productivity. The Pomodoro Technique keeps me locked in and moving forward. • Work for 𝟮𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 with zero distractions. • Take a 𝟱-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 to reset your mind. After the first sprint, I actually take 𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 between 2 and 3 (coffee is required in the morning session!) • Repeat four times, then take a 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸. • Short bursts of focus prevent burnout and make big tasks feel manageable. It works because it forces action. You stop overthinking, stop procrastinating, and just do the work. Getting things done isn’t about endless hours. It’s about making smart choices and staying locked in when it matters. When you combine the right priorities with focused execution, productivity isn’t a struggle; it’s a system. … And let’s be honest, none of this happens without coffee and music. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” And, those who know me say, “Without caffeine, mornings (and Joe dealing with people) would be impossible.” #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessTips #StartupStruggles #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurshipJourney