As freelancers, we have the privilege of setting our own schedule, choosing which clients to work with (or not!), and hand-selecting our projects. To an extent, anyway. Once we sign on with a client, it’s imperative that we meet our deadlines! And if you’re anything like me, you can use an extra tip for staying motivated when life is just not going to plan.
Most of us are juggling a handful of challenges in addition to growing our businesses. Personally, I have four kids, a spouse who travels frequently, and an anxiety disorder. Life is often unpredictable and usually exhausting. So I find myself singing the Unproductive Blues more often than I’d like (not a fun song, zero out of ten, do not recommend).
One Tip That Helps Me Get Back On Track
In the beginning, I used block scheduling to keep my work time focused on work. But honestly, some days it’s just not possible for me to stick to the schedule I set for myself.
- I might be low on energy because I didn’t sleep well.
- One of my kids might have to stay home from school (the horror!).
- Or unrelated stressors might pull my focus and I’ll get behind on projects.
Like any freelancer worth their salt, my deadlines are sacred. So instead of wallowing or spinning my wheels, I’ve started employing this hot tip for staying motivated: the Pomodoro Technique.
Get Stuff Done in Bursts. Then Take Breaks.
When I first heard about the Pomodoro Technique, I thought there was no way it would work. The idea is to set a timer, work distraction-free until your timer goes off, and then take a break.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
“But how will I get anything done in 20 minutes?!” I asked my computer screen. It didn’t answer, so I decided to try it out.
Truly, this little trick has been a game-changer for me.
I like it because the Pomodoro Technique gives me the nudge to completely focus on one task. Once the timer goes off, my brain gets to either rest or distract itself with something unrelated. But then I dig back in for another focus session.
(And if you have trouble obeying your timer, try the 5 Second Rule.)
From what I’ve read, the experts recommend a Pomodoro Session consisting of 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 3-minute break. (That’s one session.) After about four sessions, it’s time for a longer break.
Personally, I tailor the sessions to fit into my schedule. Here’s how I set my timer:
- Figure out how many hours (or minutes!) I have available to work.
- Jot down my to-do list.
- Set my timers in increments according to step one.
- Get to work!
Sometimes I work for 15-minute focus sessions. Or I might get on a roll and blow right through my break time. There are guidelines and recommendations, but ultimately it’s your business and you get to decide how to use your time.
How is This Tip for Staying Motivated Different From Others?
My life, mental health, and energy level are all unpredictable. So that means I’ve learned to strike a generous balance between flexibility (giving myself grace) and discipline (getting stuff done for my clients).
Pomodoro sets me up for success with boundaries. The timers help me stay focused on the task without making it feel like I’ll never get to stop working. I can make progress on my terms, according to what’s healthy and possible on a given day.
Have I ever spent an entire focus session staring into space and/or complaining that I don’t wanna work? Yes. (More than once.) But on the other hand, I *never* spend my focus time doing these things:
- Scrolling social media
- Checking my email
- Playing Nerdle
- Cleaning the litter boxes
- (You get my point, right?)
And when break time rolls around, here are a few things I choose from to fill those 3- to 5-minute blocks:
- Reading a few pages of a book
- Meditating
- Taking a walk around the block
- Closing my eyes and wishing I was done for the day (but at least I don’t have to be working right now!)
As you can probably tell, I’m a Pomodoro convert. I no longer feel like the next six hours are a black hole of wasted productivity. Instead, I work through a manageable 25 minutes. And on the other end, I no longer feel disappointed in myself for *literally* getting nothing done… because I always get at least something done.
Hot Tools for this Hot Tip
I haven’t personally spent any money incorporating the Pomodoro Technique into my workday. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Francesco Cirillo, the brain behind this technique, wrote a book (The Pomodoro Technique: Do More and Have Fun with Time Management) and provides trainings.
If you’re ready to dig in right away, here are the free resources you can use (most of which I’ve used myself):
- A notebook + writing utensil + timer. Keep track of your to-do list and focus sessions anytime, anywhere!
- Pomofocus.io I love this web app. It automatically tracks my focus sessions and breaks, and gives me space to record my accomplishments.
- The clock app on your computer may have a focus timer like mine does (I have Windows). What I like about this one is that it automatically and evenly spaces my focus sessions based on the number of minutes I have available (which, honestly, varies daily).
- And of course, search the App Store and Google Play. There are tons of options.
Pomodoro is the easiest and most accessible tip for staying motivated I’ve ever learned. Yes, I still have to do the work, which takes effort, but I’m no longer at the whim of my internal motivation. A countdown clock is there to remind me of what I need to be doing.
Last Updated on August 9, 2023.