Tomatoes make my fortune
I've just completed a 4-week course that explains the latest findings in neuroscience in the context of the latest findings in the psychology of learning. Run by UCSD it was hard going, but stonkingly brilliant. Learning how to learn
Putting it into practice has given me a huge boost in what I'm accomplishing each day, and the amount of free time at my disposal.
For me the most powerful discovery was "The Pomodoro Technique". The word "pomodoro" is Italian for "tomato", and the technique originated back in the 80's as a "time management" tool, using a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato.
The basis of the technique is that the brain can focus for only a short period of time. Then it needs to rest and "absorb" what it learned in that short period.
The neuroscience underpinning this is that "focus" causes connections to be formed between synapses in the frontal cortex of the brain. These connections have an extremely short life. They need to be "written back" to the main areas of the brain, and that can only happen when you stop focusing (and ideally when you are chilling or sleeping). This is when the connections are rehearsed and refreshed and "cemented".
The practical outcome of this is:-
a) Set the kitchen timer for 25 minutes, then work solidly without interruption or distraction until the timer pings.
b) When the timer pings, stop. Go do something entirely different, preferably a physical activity like walking, away from the study location. Relax. Have a cup of tea. Do not even think about the prior study subject. Fill your "focus" mind with something totally unrelated.
c) Repeat the "a" and "b" patterns 4 times in the day, then pack in for the day and party.
Obviously, in 4 weeks, there was a TON more than this. But I've isolated this one thing for today because of the impact it has had on my working day.
Try it out for yourself. In 3 to 4 days you won't recognise yourself.
Recent Comments
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Someone told me about this recently. In fact, there's an app for it!! I like the a/b part though which I hadn't got before. Thanks for sharing. I haven't implemented yet - starting it first thing tomorrow after reading this!! :)
Thanks so much Chris - wonderful information. I would love to do the course, if only I had the time right now. Anyway, this information alone which you have provided us with today will provide me with do-able learning timeframes with the courses here - I won't panic about not having hours and hours to study AND digest all that is on offer here. To tell you the truth, I'm overjoyed at this discovery and I feel this will be THE difference in progressing here. I now have a sense of calm that I CAN do this! Thanks again.
The shop I used to work in sold these type of timers,there was also a green pepper and a few other novelty ones.
I did investigate these timers but the "ping" was too short and not very loud. I'm using one from Maplin that's ugly but the alarm is loud and continuous http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-countdown-timer-rj82d.
And there were many more. If you get the time, do the course. It's free, but quite a frantic pace.
Is the course downloadable, for future reference, if one hasn't the time right now (or when the course is set to start) to participate in it actively currently?
Oh it's worse than that. Not only is it not downloadable, it's real time, and with timed assignments that get marked.
Oh no; well, that does take me out of the running this time around. Thanks for the warning. I am really excited about trying out "The Pomodoro Technique", though, so will be content with that for now.
sounds great :) lol when I read the title I instantly thought of mortgage lifter tomatoes, though. These tomatoes were bred by an in debt farmer and within 4 years he paid of his mortgage with these tomatoes :) lol
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I like this idea!