Pomo-what?

Running a busy bookkeeping practice will often find you pulled in various directions throughout the day, managing client requests, emails, phone calls, staff etc.

Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder where the day went, and how it can possibly be the end of the day already?

You know you've been busy, but what on earth have you actually done??

Distractions can be a huge killer of productivity, and unless you get on top of this you'll struggle to build a bookkeeping business that truly works for you. 

One that doesn't leave you stressed out and overwhelmed, dreaming of chucking it all in and finding a 'real job.'

Pomodoro

One technique that many find useful is the Pomodoro technique. You may have heard of it. 

The story goes that Francesco Cirillo developed this technique while studying, using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato) to break up his study into manageable intervals.

The original technique is as follows:

- Set the timer for 25 minutes and work uninterrupted for that period of time - this period of time is 1 Pomodoro
- Take a short break of 5-10 minutes

After 3 Pomodoros, take a longer break of 20-30 minutes and then repeat the process. 

Taking regular breaks is key to improving productivity. 

Whilst it might seem counter-productive to stop working when we are so busy, the research shows that doing so actually makes us more productive.

Taking breaks gives our brain a well-earned rest, freeing up headspace to think creatively, and allowing us to come back to the task at hand with a renewed focus.

Is 25 minutes enough focus time for bookkeeping, though?

Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't.

I have found that if I'm in the middle of a tricky reconciliation or tidy-up then at 25 minutes I'm just hitting my stride and have a head full of numbers and threads that I don't want to lose. 

At times like this, the technique itself may still work but the intervals will need to be longer. The purpose is to improve productivity so pick whatever timeframe works for the type of work that you're doing.

50:10 

I have found that 50:10 is often a good ratio. By 50 minutes my brain is getting tired and is in need of a short break.

And 10 minutes is enough time to go to the loo, get a drink, and maybe even just sit in contemplation for 5 minutes, which feels a little bit luxurious and contributes to a feeling of wellbeing.  

And 50:10 fits nicely into a time box. It's orderly, which is important to us bookkeepers, right?

What about? Do you have a favourite time technique that works for you, enabling you to be super productive? If so, let's hear it.

Talk soon.