How a Tomato Can Help Unlock Your True Business Potential

There are a million things all vying for our attention at any one time – smartphone notifications, online ads, emails, and more. For this reason, it can be tricky to actually block out enough time to really focus on the work that matters most. If you suffer from this frustrating issue, we’ve got the answer: the Pomodoro technique.

The theory behind the Pomodoro technique

First things first: how does a tomato figure into all of this? Well, the word ‘pomodoro’ actually means ‘tomato’ in Italian, and the technique is named after those tomato-shaped kitchen timers you’ll have seen. The reason? Well, the timer is an essential cornerstone of the whole concept. In a nutshell, the Pomodoro technique asks that you dedicate a slot of time to pure, uninterrupted work. That means: no checking emails, no answering the phone, no browsing the web – nothing. The standard technique recommends 25 minute blocks of time, which is enough to get some work done, but not too much so as to feel like an imposition. The technique is easy to do:

1. Set a timer for 25 minutes. This is your first ‘pomodori’.

2. When time’s up, take a 5-minute break to do whatever you like, including emails and phone calls.

3. Next, repeat that process until you’ve done a total of 4 pomodori, then take a longer 20-minute break.

4. Rinse and repeat.

Let’s look at how the Pomodoro technique can help you, and why.

Eliminating the distractions

In the past, there were far fewer things trying to capture our attention, meaning working solidly was much more achievable. These days, with phones pinging and emails popping up at all hours, it’s tough to stay focused. The Pomodoro technique essentially forces you to do just that – stay on-task for a minimum of 25-minutes (or whatever period you choose). The reason this works so well for so many people is two-fold; first, the short period of time means that you don’t feel like there’s a huge hurdle in front of you to overcome; and second, a 25-minute block away from the phone or email doesn’t seem like an imposition. Thousands of people are already benefiting from this technique.

The Pomodoro technique in business

So how can you apply this technique to the everyday running of your business? Well, if you’re like many other small business owners, your to-do list will be almost infinite in length. With the Pomodoro technique, you can be sure that you work through this list in an ordered, structured way – without the risk of forgetting to do something, or simply not having the time. If you’ve ever been stressed out due to mounting responsibilities, we’d urge you to give the Pomodoro technique a try – it’s ideal for those who find it hard to concentrate, or who are simply pulled every which way by responsibilities.

If you’re looking for an easier way to manage your field service agents and your customer relationships, the AutoVu platform can help. With this and the Pomodoro efficiency technique in your arsenal, your business will be unstoppable.