Ask The Career Coach: Productivity

Q: What is your best productivity tip? I work full time and have limited time for my job search, but I always seem to get distracted. Any suggestions?

I know this is a problem for many people. It even happens to me. I am just a sucker for videos of people making art. I could watch that for hours. But of course, I know that I shouldn’t. It is just a distraction from the work that will get me closer to my goals.

I try to be pretty disciplined, and I am probably better than most, but I am not perfect. I have tried many tactics to focus and work efficiently. Some have worked better than others. The two that I think are helpful are understanding your circadian rhythms and the Pomodoro Technique.

Understanding Your Circadian Rhythm

Many people have heard of the term circadian rhythm but do not understand what it means. The simplest explanation is that we have times when we have a greater capacity to do deep thinking or tackle more challenging tasks as humans. There are also times when one’s energy is low; thinking about complex issues can be challenging and overwhelming. This pattern of highs and lows cycles throughout the day. 

When you identify this pattern for yourself, you can then plan to do those tasks requiring more focus and attention when you are at the high points in your day. If you like to get up early, often that will be at the start of your day. Plan to do deep focus tasks, such as research or practicing for an interview, during those times. You are less likely to find your mind wandering. For those that are night owls, first thing in the morning may not be your best time for this type of work. You might want to wait until the afternoon or the evening, when your energy level is high, to tackle these tasks. Use your circadian rhythm to your advantage. Don’t try to fight it.

Pomodoro Technique

It has been in the past few years that I learned about the Pomodoro Technique. It has been a game-changer for me. This method relies on planning for short bursts of activity, 20-25 minutes, with a few minutes break (no more than 2-3 minutes). You will want to time this, at least a first. That is one cycle. Then you repeat this four times, and then allow yourself a more extended break. Most people can sit for 20-25 minutes and work on a task until the time has expired (you can keep a timer next to you to help you know how long you have in this cycle of work). You can then do whatever you want in the break. Want to catch up with social media - go for it. Text a friend - have at it. You know that you will have anywhere from 5-10 minutes each hour to do “fun” things, AND you will make progress on your goals. If you only have an hour for your job search activities, plan two Pomodoro sessions. If you have more time, you can do this throughout your day. The important thing is to have an idea of what you want to do during your 20-25 minutes to make the time truly impactful. You may even have to take one of these 20-25 minutes session for planning what you will do in your sessions that day. If this helps you, do it.

Some people combine the Pomodoro Technique with some additional aids to prevent wandering off task. I have been using Block and Focus, a Chrome plug-in, but there are many others to choose from. In the settings, you add the URLs of web sites that you want to block during the focus session. I have added many social media sites, but you can add whatever tends to draw you down a rabbit hole. If you try to go to the site during your timed session, you will be blocked, and a lovely inspirational quote pops up as a reminder to stay on task.

Understanding these two productivity helpers has worked for me. I would advise that you try different approaches and see what works for you. Just like a diet, it may work for some, but not all. It is not so important what you use to help yourself. It is that you recognize that you have an issue and work to try to address it. 

For more about time management, read Job Search Time Management: 8 Keys To Success.

Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.