Amanda here! In my last post I promised I would share another of my favorite tools in my productivity arsenal, and here it is!

Today, I deliver the Pomodoro Technique. How many times do you sit at your desk knowing all the task you have to do and continuously get disrupted or distracted? This technique is definitely a game changer for you if this seems to always happen to you. It’s times up for distractions!

The Pomodoro technique has been around since the 1980s. The method uses a timer (usually 25 minutes) to help break the work down into smaller intervals followed by a brief break. I time my break at 5 minutes off. It helps set the tone on focus and flow. In those five minutes, I take a stretch, pay a bill, walk around briefly or find something to purposely distract me.

While I do not struggle to finish the task I set, I do have trouble finding time to break. Eating, unscheduled tasked, chores, and even creative reboots often become neglected to my constant work pace. The Pomodoro technique helps me stay fresh and mindful of what’s happening around me.

Once you’ve done 4 intervals your break becomes longer (15-20 minutes), then you reset. The intervals are indivisible. You either need to inform others what you are doing or record the task for later. If you cannot postpone the job, the Pomodoro interval must be abandoned. That’s right, you have to start over or neglect to record your interval.

I started using the Focus Booster app (opens in a new tab while I work) during a free trial and fell in love with the method. Focus Booster also allows you to track how much time and resources you’re allocating to each client as the day goes on.

This is especially helpful for new entrepreneurs. This allows you to see how you are spending billable hours and your flow of productivity over the month, week, or hours. It also allows you to filter different aspects to account for your particular accountability needs.

Honestly, you don’t need the app. You can set this time on your phone and work from there. When I have a big work week, I adjust my intervals for more extended work times. And if I work pass my interval time, to finish at a decent stopping point, I start my break interval right after for the same amount of time. I don’t shorten it because I ran over, nor do I lengthen it because the interval was extended. The key is to stay as consistent as possible.

Remember, as a freelancer or entrepreneur, your time is valuable, so you want to maximize it as much as possible. Don’t feel bad if you have to work through your breaks. And don’t feel obligated to stay committed to short break periods. You have to work in a capacity that is best for you. The main point is to give yourself a structure to minimize distractions.

Content courtesy of  Amanda Reese, Founder of  Blueprint Concepts, an experience-focused marketing firm that provides growth strategy to entrepreneurs and creatives.

Contributing Author, Amanda Reese

As Blueprint Concept’s chief consultant, Amanda does more than drumming on a keyboard. With more than 6+ years of experience in marketing and branding, she’s obsessed with new innovative storytelling and curating experiences to go along with them. When she’s not empowering women and small businesses to be differentiators, she is exploring health and wellness (or watching reruns of The Office). Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with many industries including — education to entertainment, and sports to nonprofits.

Amanda also writes for the So Selfish Blog, and you can follow her @theamandacheri @theblueprintconcepts and check her out her Facebook & Twitter.

This year has just flown by, and already I have had so much happen that staying focused has moved up my priority list. So many opportunities, events, and surprises have sparked– some great and some not so much.

I have new projects at work I want to get to and new responsibilities with my family to take care of that literally every minute is precious. I am doing my best not to overcrowd my plate, but remain productive and appreciative for the moment.

To help me remain focus on the right things. I have given myself a “2 Minute Rule.” This means while in action or conversation if after 2 minutes I’m not productive or positive, I have to stop and move on to something else.

This includes conversations with friends, meetings at work, and downtime with myself. I want to make sure I’m protecting my energy and using it for good. Many times, I will look at the clock and wonder where has the time gone and what do I have to show for it? The 2 Minute Rule helps me regulate that!

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get bogged down with six to seven tasks at once. You are fighting to make your dream happen. You may not have the staff or resources to entrust your load to other people so, it is vital to make sure your time is being used for good.

One of the best ways to structure your time is by time blocking.

That is when you map out your current schedule every day of the week. Then you adjust your schedule as needed by adding your priorities to your prime working times.

For example, I’m more productive around noon, so I schedule the big task around that time. Any projects that need to be done, I plan it around that time because it requires more of my attention and that’s when I perform the best.

Mornings are a little slower for me, so I organize my day, review emails, and catch up on current events during that time. Because our inboxes and social media can be a black hole of information, this is a perfect time for me to be very critical of my time block. I will only give myself 45 minutes to go through everything.

Be easy on yourself at first; sometimes you forget to look at the clock. And sometimes you need to need downtime, but even that can be productive. Downtown to rejuvenate your mind and get some fresh air is fruitful in better work life.

Soon, I will share my new method of productive work timing. While I still time block to get my schedule together, there is a method I use now to help with my freelance projects. I’ll share that with you next time!

Content courtesy of  Amanda Reese, Founder of  Blueprint Concepts, an experience-focused marketing firm that provides growth strategy to entrepreneurs and creatives.

Contributing Author, Amanda Reese

As Blueprint Concept’s chief consultant, Amanda does more than drumming on a keyboard. With more than 6+ years of experience in marketing and branding, she’s obsessed with new innovative storytelling and curating experiences to go along with them. When she’s not empowering women and small businesses to be differentiators, she is exploring health and wellness (or watching reruns of The Office). Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with many industries including — education to entertainment, and sports to nonprofits.

Amanda also writes for the So Selfish Blog, and you can follow her @theamandacheri @theblueprintconcepts and check her out her Facebook & Twitter.