How to have more attention span than a goldfish

After reading this article, you’ll learn:

1. What is the pomodoro technique.

2. Why it works & how to use it.

Focus is the superpower in today’s world. Research has shown that the average human attention span is 8.25 seconds, 4.25 seconds less than in 2000.

For context, a goldfish has a 9- second attention span.

You should be alarmed after reading that.

Our life is filled with distractions - phones, emails, messages, non - stop notifications. This harms our health and lives:

• Stress.

• Frustration.

• Inability to concentrate.

At the end of a day, if you always feel tired, it is because of this. You need to discipline the monkey mind and actively work to reclaim focus.

The Pomodoro technique is one way to help and be more effective at what you’re doing. It involves working on one task for a set time, taking a break, and repeating the steps.

In the 1980’s, Francesco Cirillo, a university student in the 1980s developed the technique. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato 🍅 (pomodoro) to time his study sessions.

After experimenting, he found that 25 minutes is a good duration to focus on one task.

Why this technique works 🍅

1. Fixed time per task.

   You can begin with 25 minutes and experiment with what works for you. By committing to a block of time, you are also beating procrastination.

2. Removes distractions.

   During the deep-work session, you should be careful not to get distracted. Put your phone on do not disturb mode, and remove all notifications from your computer.

3. Stops context - switching

   Context - switching is the productivity - killer. A study from the University of California, Irvine, reported that after just 20 minutes of repeated interruptions, people reported significantly higher stress, frustration, workload, effort, and pressure.

4. Increases your attention span.

   To improve focus and attention span, you have to make conscious choices in your physical and digital environments.

5. The breaks help you recharge.

   Breaks are necessary; you can take a walk or talk to your coworker. Moving around also improves blood circulation. You will be energized. Don’t use breaks to just scroll through social media!

I hope this helps in your journey. And if so, share the article with your friends and family.

Further reading

• The pomodoro technique.

• The pomodoro technique explained.