August 2017 MVP Jan Egil Ring and I launched an open source PowerShell based Pomodoro timer. This is a great way to get stuff done, but difficult to get started with. Andreas Kang Schøyen over at Lillevik IT has done something about that and created an executable program that sets up the integrations and timer.

How it works

When downloading and installing the app, it will automatically integrate with your Skype for Business 32 bit application and your Windows OS making it capable to:

• Set you to “do not disturb” in Skype for Business with a custom presence state called Pomodoro Sprint
  • The app cotains the SDK dll’s for the Skype for Business client, so no extra installs to control presence
• Write a note of your choosing during the the Pomodoro sprint and adding the time when you will be available
  • It even counts down the last 15 seconds, so that people waiting to reach you that you are about to become available
• Write a note of your choosing after the Pomodoro sprint is complete
• Set your computer in to presentation mode which suppresses popups
• Start your favourite Spotify playlist for productivity
• Make you available again when the sprint is finished

The app supports automatic updates and the roadmap includes IFTTT ingration so that you can mute your phone during the pomodoro sprint. See full roadmap here

The goal is to induce the flow state in a busy workday

Multitasking is a myth. The goal is to reach the flow state by focusing on one task at a time. Have you ever started writing an email, thought you sent it and eagerly waiting for a response, only to find it incomplete and unsent at the end of the day? This is one of the perils of multitasking.

The Pomodoro Technique is a great methodology to induce flow in a busy workday. It is all about avoiding distractions for 15-25 minutes and focus on one task at a time. This is a short enough period in the day that you can squeeze it in before a meeting. It is incredible what you can get done 15-25 minutes. The goal is to not get distracted and it takes about 7 minutes of focus before your reach your flow state.

If you want to succeed with Pomodoro, you need to make yourself unavailable. Equally important, you need to make yourself available again when those 25 minutes have passed. That is why we created the Pomodoro PowerShell tool, and why I love the simplicity of this app.

Read more and download the exe and MSI version of the app here: http://pomodoro.lit.no

Watch an outtake from my session at Microsoft Ignite 2017 on singletasking

Learn more on my thinking around singletasking and tools available to succeed with the flow state, from this outtake of my OneNote LifeHacks talk at Microsoft Ignite 2017

Complete lists of your tasks is key to success

An important part of succeeding with the Pomodoro Technique is lists. Lists enables you to choose the task that lifts the most weight off your shoulders at that point in time. I use OneNote to capture all my ideas and actions, enabling me to create that finite list of tasks. Check out how I do it in my OneNote LifeHacks YouTube series