How to Use Productivity Sprints to Stay Focused
Miscellaneous / / November 13, 2023
A more flexible alternative to the popular Pomodoro technique.
When you have a lot of work to do, not being able to stay focused on tasks for long can have disastrous consequences for your productivity. But instead of fighting this disadvantage, try turning it to your advantage and working in a series of shorter periods rather than running a marathon.
What are Productivity Sprints?
The essence of this method is extremely simple and consists in alternating short periods of work with breaks. This is all. But since breaks are essential for productivity, the method is really effective.
Yes, it is similar to the famous Pomodoro technique, which also suggests combining strictly timed work periods with breaks. At the same time, there are differences. Productivity sprints are a much more flexible method. If when using Pomodoro you need to work for 25 minutes and rest for 5 minutes, then when using sprints you yourself determine how long you need (or are able) to maintain attention on a certain task, and based on this you set timer.
Explore🍅⏰
- Everything you need to know about the Pomodoro technique
How to use them
The main trick is to set a goal for yourself. It should be a long-term goal, like completing a major work project by the end of the week, and you should be running toward it no matter how many sprints it takes to get it done.
Each sprint should be dedicated to a mini-goal, such as creating a work plan, and cover exactly the amount of time it will most likely take you to achieve it. Then the timer won't distract you in the middle of your work, and you can stay focused until you complete the task, knowing what's coming break.
If you're not sure how long a task will take, don't set a timer and just get on with it until you're done. One of the most important elements of productivity sprints is deep concentration throughout the entire time you work on the next block. So turn off your phone and get rid of any other distractions beforehand so you can be as focused as possible, whether the task takes 10 minutes or half an hour. The break between sprints should be half the time you spent working.
In terms of productivity sprints, your main goal is not to work for a certain number of minutes, but to complete a specific task. Therefore, it is important to work hard without thinking about how long you do it or how correctly you follow the technique. Step by step movement towards completion big task will give you a sense of accomplishment that can be missed if you rely primarily on time rather than results.
For example, you need to write a report. Then in the first sprint of 30 minutes you can make a draft. Then - a 15-minute break. Then make changes during the next sprint. And so on until the report is ready. Remember, this is a sprint, not a marathon, so it's important to give yourself time to recover after bursts.
Try different methods and techniques🧐
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