Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It is a pretty simple idea, really. Basically, you just choose a task to focus on, and then set your timer for 25 minutes. After the timer goes off, you take a brief break before starting on your next task. Generally, you complete 4 tasks in a set, so your tasks take about 2 hours including breaks. You can add more as you like.

I only read a few articles online about the method, but it seems simple enough that I’ve got the gist. After reading a blog post talking about dealing with procrastination, I decided to make my own little Pomodoro schedule for some things I’d like to complete daily.

1. Exercise – Every day I want to get at least 25 minutes of exercise, in addition to what I normally get walking to and from work. This is good for body and soul 🙂  Lately I’ve been doing yoga, as I mentioned here, but I’ve also started running again.

2. Study Japanese – It has been a little frustrating to realize how much Japanese I have forgotten. I really want to become fluent, and to pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) in the future, so it’s time to put in a little more effort!

3. Art Journal/Zentangle/Be Creative – This could technically take up an entire 4-task set, because once I get going, I often don’t want to stop! You know I’ve been art journaling every day, and that I had been spending time zentangling as well, but I’ve really got to expand on what I make time for creatively.

4. Blog –  This one is pretty obvious, but I really want to be on here regularly because I just love interacting with all of you wonderful readers!

5. Read a book – I often get lost reading zillions of articles online, and that tends to lead me away from one of my favorite pastimes: reading books! Setting it as a task will ensure that I fit at least a little reading in each day.

Here’s what I like about these goals: They are doable, if I finish any of them before the timer goes off, there is always more within the tasks that I can learn or explore, and once I’ve finished with them, I will still have time for things I have to do (like clean, etc.). Additionally, following a schedule for these tasks will not only help me complete them daily and have a sense of achievement, but also, it will help push away distractions and procrastination. On nights we go out, there will obviously be some adjustments to the task-list, but overall, I think it’s going to be something really good for me.

What do you think? Do you have certain things you want to do every day? Or certain goals you’re working toward? Do you have any tips that work for you when it comes to avoiding distraction and procrastination?