When I was a child, I had some significant attention deficit problems.
Meds, counseling, discipline. You name it, we tried it. But nothing seemed to work.
Nothing, that is, until I reached junior high. The time-bound classes, coupled with the passing periods, extended lunches, and study hall all combined to give me a schedule that worked.
In junior high I knew I wouldn’t have to stay stuck in a situation for very long. I also knew that I would get a time to stretch my legs and clear my head between classes. Lunch and study hall were welcomed because of the time given to socialize and think deeply.
My ADHD wasn’t gone, but it decreased significantly. All because of those three principles:
- Time-bound activities
- Short time blocks to rest
- Longer time blocks to think deeply
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen how powerful these principles have been to developing my own productivity routine.
Time-Bound Activities
When I work, I set a timer for 25:00 using the amazing Pomodoro app (it’s based on the, aptly-named Pomodoro technique). That’s how long my focus blocks are. I find that most tasks I have on my to-do list take about one block to accomplish. Some take two, three, or maybe even four. The point is, they’re timed.
I know that no matter what happens, no matter how distasteful the task, I will only have to do it for 25 minutes. You have to know how incredibly freeing this realization is. Most tasks take much less time than I imagine they will, especially the unpleasant ones.
Short Time Blocks to Rest
The genius of the Pomodoro technique is that it builds in mini-breaks for each work block. Research shows that intense concentration followed by short blocks of rest dramatically increase productivity.
Call it a mental recess, but I give myself five minutes in between tasks to check Twitter, Facebook, email, or go grab a new cup of coffee. When the block is done, I’m back, ready, and refreshed for the next task.
Longer Blocks to Think Deeply
In junior high I knew I had lunch to look forward to. A time to connect with friends and relieve some stress. As a result, I was able to concentrate better during the day. Long time blocks in your schedule allow the same freedom.
When you set aside an hour to disconnect, you give your brain and body a much-needed respite from your schedule. I use this time to have lunch, catch up on Hulu, read a book, go on a walk, or talk with my wife and son.
The point is to make it timed, limited, and built-in to your schedule. More than just “goofing off,” you’re actually increasing your capacity to work, not decreasing it.
NOTE: If you don’t proactively build this in, you won’t do it. Many of us feel like we’re “wasting time,” but the exact opposite is true.
Human beings are not robots. We are not automatons. We need breaks to rest, recharge, rethink, and disconnect.
This is what having attention deficit disorder taught me about productivity. I’d love to hear from you if you or someone you know has had the same struggles.
What do you do to stay on task? How do you regiment your day to increase productivity? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
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Kind of funny that I blogged today about spending 5 minutes a day on stuff. Not the same as work projects (I’m using it to make some progress on a novel of mine), but it’s kind of the same idea.
I’m tempted to give these 25 minute blocks a try. I tend to work that way anyway, working for a bit and then taking short breaks.
Fascinating. . .I am always looking for things to help make me more productive and skills to give my little kiddo clients with ADHD. It is all starting to make sense as to why after a solid hour or two of pumping out progress notes or treatment plans I am absolutely fried and can’t get myself to do anymore for the day. Thanks for the brilliant ideas.
I’m not as scheduled as you are, but I do break up my tasks in blocks. When I’m working on a project, I focus only on that. I turn off my email, close FB and Twitter and all that jazz, and stay focused on the task at hand. Once it’s done, or a defined step of it is done, then I take a break, check FB and such, get away from my desk and rest for a while. Not only does it help me be more productive, it gives me fresh insight and creativity into the task I was working on.
That’s where you and I differ, Justin. I have Asperger’s Syndrome (diagnosed years before it became cool) and my “problem” is being able to focus too much on a task or subject. I work around this simply by keeping track of how long I do something and then mentally force myself to change tasks despite how uncomfortable it is for me. It works when it needs to, not saying that it’s easy by any means, but it works for me like your method does with you.
I am not as scheduled as you are but I am trying be more proactive in having my days scheduled out this year. Why I find beneficial throughout the work day is to take short 15 minute breaks every couple of hours. This gives me time to recharge and let the mind rest.
Love this, I’m ADHD as well and have had significant issues. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until seminary that I found out how to get things done. I still struggle sometimes and find that deadlines are important.
I’ve also found that I need boundaries (ie your 25 min technique) but I also need freedom to move within those boundaries.
I think I’m going to check out that Pomodoro