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In a hyper-connected mega-city, where time seems to tick at a relentlessly brisk pace and where distractions are aplenty, pondering the art of productivity and focus is inevitable. In fact, it’s almost become a necessity. No wonder so many listicles have been written to point us in the right directions. Different methods works for different folks, of course, and when I was in my final year of university, I was introduced to a method that I regularly return to still: The Pomodoro Method, a deceptively simple technique that promises to transform the way we approach our daily tasks. Originating from the Italian word for "tomato," this method leverages short, timed intervals to enhance concentration and efficiency. Pomodoro originates from the Italian word for tomato! What Is the Pomodoro Technique? The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that divides work into distinct intervals - typically 25 minutes each - known as "pomodoros." The technique, established in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, aims to enhance focus and productivity. Each pomodoro is followed by a brief 3-5 minute respite, offering a mental reset. After four pomodoros, a more extended break of 15-30 minutes is encouraged to prevent burnout and maintain high motivation levels. As we strive to balance work life and leisure in bustling environments like Singapore, mastering this method's six steps could be vital for sustained efficiency. Whether used for studying tips or general focus tips, the Pomodoro Method offers a clear structure to determine effort, reduce interruptions, and define objectives for each task undertaken. Employing a physical timer or a digital app enhances this approach's effectiveness, further aiding personal accountability and productivity as noted in this source. Understanding the Theory Behind the Pomodoro Method The method's emphasis on structured time intervals aims to enhance focus and productivity; by dividing work into 25-minute periods, separated by short breaks, this technique significantly improves concentration and reduces burnout risks. This approach enables the completion of tasks with greater efficiency, particularly in dynamic environments like Singapore, where minimising distractions is critical. Implementing the Pomodoro Method in everyday routines, whether for studying or managing work life, encourages better time management. It provides clear guidelines for task execution. Moreover, the technique's ability to reduce procrastination can lead to more balanced and productive daily activities. This structured approach is not only about managing time but also about instilling a disciplined routine that can be adapted to various aspects of personal and professional life (TechTarget; Forbes). The 5 Steps in the Pomodoro Technique The best part about the Pomodoro Technique is the fact that it’s highly applicable to just about anything you need to settle in a day – whether it’s tackling a set of tasks in the office, or whether you’re just enjoying a reset day at home and aiming to get some deep cleaning of the house/room out of the way. (I personally use this free web app, which automates most of the Pomodoro Technique’s mechanisms!) Step 1: Choose Your Task: The Pomodoro Method begins with selecting a task you wish to accomplish. This initial step sets the foundation for what you'll achieve in focused sessions called "Pomodoros" as highlighted by Fellow. Set the timer, get it done! Step 2: Set the Timer: Next, set a timer for 25 minutes, dedicating this block entirely to your chosen task. This method encourages work-life balance by structuring your time. It's the core of the technique, compelling you to dive deep into focus as specified by Unito. Step 3: Work Without Distractions: During the Pomodoro, work with undivided focus until the timer sounds. This design enhances productivity and focus, banishing interruptions through disciplined intervals. Maintaining a distraction-free environment is vital to harness the method's full potential. Have a break. Have a .... Step 4: Take a Short Break: Once the timer ends, reward your concentration with a 5-minute break. This pause is crucial—allowing your mind to relax briefly, preventing burnout and preparing you for the next bout of productivity. Regular breaks are central, promoting sustained efficiency. Step 5: Repeat and Recharge: Persevere through four Pomodoro sessions, then enjoy a more extended break of 15-30 minutes. This cycle encourages balanced productivity and study techniques, seamlessly blending work rigour and restful intervals. Completing these cycles wards off mental fatigue while championing effective study and work habits in a bustling city like Singapore. Using the Pomodoro Timer: Additional tips for productivity The Pomodoro Method is also used most effectively when users begin by delineating tasks into small, actionable steps. Here's where those with more scatterbrain-tendencies might trip up slightly: It is apparently essential to work on one. task. at. a. time. during each Pomodoro to maintain optimal concentration. Productivity doesn't mean that we steamroll ahead relentlessly - rest is an important part of the equation too! Silence notifications and use tools like website blockers to eliminate distractions. After completing four Pomodoros, indulge in a more extended break of 15-30 minutes to recharge completely and sustain productivity. While the classic Pomodoro interval is 25 minutes, some have suggested that find experimenting with different durations could be beneficial - such as 45/15 or 35/5 combinations - depending on personal work rhythms and task complexities. To further enhance this, integrating a Pomodoro timer app can efficiently track and manage your sessions, providing a comprehensive overview of time spent on tasks to ensure productivity. By incorporating these focus tips, specifically designed for the workplace or study environments, the Pomodoro Method emerges as an indispensable tool for balancing work and life effectively. Having some structure could help many of us go through a day with clearer vision Benefits for all our ADHD-ers out there? Interestingly, the Pomodoro Method could prove particularly advantageous for individuals with ADHD due to its structured approach, which combats common challenges such as executive dysfunction and ADHD paralysis. (Source: Choosing Therapy). Dividing work into 25-minute intervals could provide a sense of organisation that enhances focus tips, and also addresses time blindness by making task durations concrete and achievable. Empowerment and motivation are stimulated through short-term wins from completing sessions. These periodic achievements are critical in boosting focus and productivity, offering a valuable tool for anyone needing effective studying tips or work-life improvements. (Note: This was just a nice picture (Shoutout to Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash) - we are not defined by how much we get done!) One pomodoro after another! To be clear, the Pomodoro Method isn't a silver bullet, and still demands focus, balance, and a touch of discipline. Yet, it also offers a refreshing reminder that productivity need not be frenetic nor complicated, and can be a harmonious dance between work and rest. As we steer through our busy lives, embracing this method could help to provide allow clarity and purpose to each day. (Here, it's worth remembering too that we, as humans with our own complexities and needs, are not defined by how productive we are! Rest and self-care are important!) After all, getting through the inescapable demands of a single day can oftentimes be distilled down to putting one foot in front of the other - or stacking one pomodoro after another.

On concerns that flexi-work would result in more jobs offshoring, the Minister of State for Manpower said it was more important to make sure Singapore's workers stay globally competitive in skills and productivity. SINGAPORE: Employers with workers on flexible work arrangements have no basis to cut their pay if their productivity is not affected, Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang said on Tuesday (May 7). She was responding to a question by Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Raj Thomas on how the tripartite guidelines on flexible work arrangement requests would interact with the progressive wage model. The new guidelines, which come into effect on Dec 1, require all employers to have a process for their employees to request flexible work arrangements. Employers must give fair consideration to the requests and respond within two months. They can reject a request on "reasonable business grounds", and must give the employee the reason in writing. The progressive wage model provides a structure for wages to rise along with training and productivity improvements. It covers lower-wage local workers in certain sectors, like cleaning and security. Mr Thomas asked whether an employer would have to reject a worker's request for flexible work arrangements if it meant the worker would work fewer days, bringing his or her gross wage below the prescribed floor of the model. Ms Gan questioned the assumption that pay would be reduced in the first place, saying that employers have to pay competitively to attract and retain good workers. "For workers who are on flexible work arrangements, if their work output, productivity is not affected, actually there is no basis for employers to reduce their pay," she said. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said that "the spirit of the PWM (progressive wage model) should really lead the entire thinking" behind the implementation of any guidelines. He said the guidelines on flexible work arrangements were based on tripartism and collaboration, and represented a "very nuanced approach". "I think we are moving into newer waters, and I would seek an appeal to the understanding, the support and also the patience of all of us together as one united society, to come together to make this work for the betterment of all of our future generations of workers." Dr Wan Rizal (PAP-Jalan Besar) raised concerns from workers who may want flexible work arrangements but fear if their personal issues, like mental health, are aired in the process, that this could hurt their career progression. Ms Gan reiterated that employers must assess employees' performance and pay them fairly based on work done, and not discriminate based on health conditions that do not affect their performance. After the guidelines were announced, some employers told CNA that as managing remote teams becomes more common, they may rethink hiring local staff and look overseas for recruitment, particularly given the difference in costs. Members of the tripartite working group that drafted the guidelines, co-chaired by Ms Gan, have said that ensuring the local workforce stays competitive will be key as Singapore normalises flexible work arrangements. On Tuesday, Ms Gan reiterated that remote work and outsourcing are already global trends regardless of Singapore's guidelines. "Even if foreigners are not working in Singapore ... they will still be competing with us when working in companies overseas," she said. It was more important for local workers to continually upskill and stay productive to compete for jobs not just in Singapore, but globally, she added. MP Cheryl Chan (PAP-East Coast) then asked whether Singapore would see more offshoring of jobs as a result of the flexible work arrangement guidelines. She also asked whether middle-aged professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) would be disadvantaged by the guidelines and by the redesign of job roles to accommodate flexible work arrangements. Ms Gan replied that flexible work arrangements were not limited to flexi-place arrangements (like working from home), and did not mean workers will be less productive. She added that businesses were driven by their own bottom lines in assessing talent and costs. "I think we should not pretend that without flexible work arrangements, there'll be less offshoring," she said. "I would also point out that elsewhere, in the US, for example, we are also seeing some tech companies putting out statements that remote work does not work for them. "There seems to be some suggestion that actually, for certain sectors and for certain types of work, physical on-site presence, teamwork, all these are still very key." She said that some companies in Singapore have shared similar feedback, adding: "For those, I think offshoring may not be a natural choice, and certainly would not be affected by these guidelines." Ms Gan said that the focus for middle-aged PMETs is on making sure they have the right skills and on their "career health" to make sure they stay employable. Addressing MPs' questions, she also reiterated that the guidelines do not mandate flexible work arrangements or set hard targets. "For flexible work arrangements to be successful, it must make businesses sustainable for the employers," she said. "It does not make sense to require businesses to offer flexible work arrangements, even when it negatively impacts business and affects employment prospects for Singaporeans."

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-11 Microsoft has announced plans to soon release Windows 11. It turns out Windows 10 wasn't the last version of Windows after all, but that's okay, because Windows 11 will be free for all Windows 10 users, and includes a whole bunch of new features and improvements over the current version of Windows. This is everything you need to know. You can now see if your PC meets the new minimum requirements for Windows 11. There are also some 'hard' and 'soft' requirements, including CPU types, leaving a lot of flexibility for which hardware can get Windows 11. Starting the week of June 28, those enrolled on the Windows Insider Dev Channel can also begin testing Windows 11. Windows 11 includes a whole bunch of new features and changes that differentiates it over Windows 10. To begin, Windows 11 features a brand new user interface (UI) design, built from the ground up with simplicity and ease of use in mind. Microsoft has tried to simplify the UI in as many areas as possible, creating a clean, fluid space for work and play. Microsoft says the new UI will help you stay productive or in your creative flow, as the OS does its best to remain out of the way. The company is adding new productivity features that help keep you in your flow, such as new functionality like the new "Snap Navigator" menu that drops down from an app window's maximize button. This lets you snap an app to a predetermined set of grid layouts without needing to drag your window to the edge of your display. There's also a new Chat app built right into the Taskbar, which lets you share files, text, and video with friends, family, or colleagues via Microsoft Teams for consumers. Microsoft is integrating Teams into Windows 11 in other ways, such as with the ability to share an app window into a Teams call directly from the Taskbar, as well as mute your mic from the System Tray area. Microsoft has built a new Start menu and Taskbar experience, now centered by default. Gone are live tiles, and in their place is a grid of app icons that can be rearranged. Pinned and running apps in the Taskbar are now also centered, and there are many new subtle animations when clicking and moving things around. The System Tray and Action Center has been tweaked to match this, with Notifications and Quick Actions now split into two separate menus. Quick Actions are now known as Quick Settings and appear when you click on the System icons on the far right of the Taskbar. From here, you can connect to Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth device, enable night light, configure focus mode, and much more. Clicking on the date and time will open your calendar view and notifications. There's also a new out of box experience, lock screen, and modern File Explorer UI. Microsoft is also introducing a new "Widgets" panel that houses features such as To Do, Calendar, Photos, and news from MSN. Overall, Windows 11 is a much more open system compared to Windows 10 and its predecessors. Finally, Microsoft talked about how Windows 11 is built for gamers with new features like Auto HDR, Direct Storage, and DirectX 12 Ultimate. Windows 11 has new improvements for touch Windows 10 fell by the wayside when it comes to touch experiences, so it's great to see Microsoft once again focused on trying to make a good touch experience on Windows 11. Microsoft is adding a number of new gestures and features designed to make Windows 11 feel fast and fluid on tablets. Microsoft has increased the size of hitboxes around app windows so that it's easier to resize them when using touch. There's also a bunch of new subtle animations involved when manipulating windows in an effort to make the touch experience feel more fluid and native to the OS. Users can now use three or four finger gestures to swipe away apps and open Task View. Microsoft has also added a brand new Touch Keyboard with SwiftKey-like theming support, and new emoji panel integration with support for things like gifs. For pen users, the Pen Workspace has been updated with a new UI and the ability to pin any app to the Pen quick-launch bar. You can also now configure what a single tap, double tap, and tap and hold does on your Surface Pen. You can make it open any app or function of your choice, built right into Windows 11. Windows 11 has a new Microsoft Store One of the big announcements as part of Windows 11 is that Microsoft is building a brand new app store. This new Microsoft Store app features a new fluid UI that matches the rest of Windows 11, but that's not the big news. Microsoft is changing up some of the policies that govern what kind of apps are allowed into the storefront. With the new Microsoft Store, app developers can now submit unpackaged Win32 apps in .exe or .MSI form. Developers can also use their own content delivery networks, and their own commerce platforms, without Microsoft taking a cut in revenue made. This will open the door to almost any app on the Windows platform to be listed and found in the Microsoft Store by end-users. Microsoft says it's adding its own apps, such as Teams, Office, and Visual Studio to the new Microsoft Store to show the world that it's serious about this new Store effort, and that it hopes other app developers like Mozilla and Adobe follow suit. Microsoft also announced that Android apps such as TikTok will be supported on Windows 11 and the new Microsoft Store! Windows 11 is back to one major update a year Microsoft has announced that with Windows 11, the company is returning to releasing just one major feature update a year. With Windows 10, Microsoft tried to ship two major updates to the OS, but often struggled to do so without major bugs causing problems for end-users. Going back to one major update a year will align Windows 11 with the rest of the competition, and give Microsoft more time to build out new features for each new release, making every new version more meaningful than before. Windows 11 is expected to ship this fall, which likely means we'll be getting a new feature update towards the end of every year. Windows 11 will be a free upgrade As mentioned above, Windows 11 will ship later this year, and will be offered as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users. Microsoft says there's no time limit on this, meaning you won't have to upgrade to Windows 11 right away if you don't want to. OEMs will still have to pay for a Windows 11 license, however. The license itself isn't free, but if you upgrade from Windows 10, you get to retain your license and therefore remain activated. This is exactly how it worked with the move from Windows 7 and Windows 8 to Windows 10. We also expect Windows 11 to be available for standalone purchase to consumers, like Windows 10. Is there a Windows 11 Insider Program? Just like Windows 10, users will be able to sign into the Windows Insider Program and install preview builds of Windows 11. Microsoft hasn't yet released an official preview build of Windows 11 for Insiders, but the wait shouldn't be long. It sounds like the company is planning to roll out the first Windows 11 preview build to Insiders as soon as next week. To make sure you're first in line, sign up to the Windows Insider Program today and select the Insider Dev Channel to be on the correct path for the first Windows 11 build.

I found this interesting read from one of the online article. Share with you guys and see what you all think. Why incompetent people often think they’re actually the best There’s a psychological phenomenon behind it: the Dunning-Kruger effect.Source: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/11/18/16670576/dunning-kruger-effect-video Maybe you’ve experienced this at school or work before: Dealing with someone who thinks he’s much better at his job than he really is. This can not only be really annoying, but it can lead to disaster as a group project is made much more difficult by someone’s unchecked ego. A new TED-Ed video, based on a lesson by psychologist David Dunning, dives into why this happens and why people are so bad at judging their skills in general, looking into the phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. “Knowing how competent we are and how our skills stack up to other people’s is more than a self-esteem boost,” narrator Addison Anderson explained. “It helps us figure out when we can forge ahead on our own decisions and instincts and when we need, instead, to seek out advice.” “But,” Anderson added, “psychological research suggests that we’re not very good at evaluating ourselves accurately. In fact, we frequently overestimate our own abilities.” This is true “to a degree that violates the laws of math.” For example: “When software engineers at two companies were asked to rate their performance, 32 percent of the engineers at one company and 42 percent at the other put themselves in the top 5 percent.” So what’s going on here? There’s actually a reasonable explanation: “When psychologists Dunning and [Justin] Kruger first described the effect in 1999, they argued that people lacking knowledge and skill in particular areas suffer a double curse. First, they make mistakes and reach poor decisions. But second, those same knowledge gaps also prevent them from catching their errors. In other words, poor performers lack the very expertise needed to recognize how badly they’re doing.” For example, how can someone know he’s a bad writer if he doesn’t know even basic spelling and grammar rules? The good news is once people know they are bad at something — say, if they fail at a logic puzzle — they’ll typically admit to it. But some level of experience or expertise is needed for a person to come to that realization. “That may be why people with a moderate amount of experience or expertise often have less confidence in their abilities,” Addison said. “They know enough to know that there’s a lot they don’t know.” But knowledge can also lead to people overestimating others: “Experts tend to be aware of just how knowledgeable they are. But they often make a different mistake: They assume that everyone else is knowledgeable too.” “The result is that people, whether they’re inept or highly skilled, are often caught in a bubble of inaccurate self-perception,” Addison explained. “When they’re unskilled, they can’t see their own faults. When they’re exceptionally competent, they don’t perceive how unusual their abilities are.” There’s a way to prevent all of this: “First, ask for feedback from other people — and consider it, even if it’s hard to hear. Second, and more important, keep learning. The more knowledgeable we become, the less likely we are to have invisible holes in our competence.” Keep in mind this is all just one explanation for why and how incompetent people may overestimate themselves. For examples of other explanations, check out a good rundown by psychologist Tal Yarkoni.

Food for thought. "The ability to enjoy innovative work and the desire to work - not just for money but to cultivate a sense of belonging to the organisation and the country - are also critical." Do you think it is possible and what will it take for Singaporeans to work with a sense of belonging to their company and not just for money?

PCOM Automotive ERP Solutions – New and Used Car Dealer Software Singapore The common problems faced by conventional business owners are the time spent on tedious paper work and manual document filing processes, especially for those who are using different software or system for their accounting and daily business operation. Founded in 2002, PCOM Pte Ltd offers Industry Specific ERP Software Solutions and IT Services to help SMEs achieve higher work efficiency and productivity. The company serves over 140 companies from various Industries and employ over 30 staff in Singapore. The product is known for its PCOM Automotive ERP Solutions (previously known as ZWHEELS). This System is currently used by many leading companies in automotive industries. The modules included new and used vehicle trading software, parallel import software, motor insurance software, hire purchase software, car and machinery rental software, workshop management software, spare parts trading software, block discount software, floor stock software, hire purchase agency software and debt collection software. It believes that the best way to eliminate double work is to establish a total integrated software solution. PCOM Automotive ERP Solutions can be integrated with Mobile Tablet Applications, Web Solutions, Mobile Phone Applications, GPS System, Scheduling System, and SMS System. The company also provides other Solutions such as food catering software, retails and F&B POS software, distribution management software, project management software, job costing software, service scheduling software, pest control management software and many more. If there is additional information you would like to have regarding its products, please do not hesitate to contact PCOM Pte Ltd. The staff will be most happy to be of assistance. PCOM Pte Ltd Head Office: No 62 Ubi Road 1 #04-04 Oxley Bizhub 2 Singapore 408734 Tel: (65) 6538 9441 Fax: (65) 6538 9401 Branch Office: Blk 808 French Road #05-153 Kitchener Complex Singapore 200808 Tel: (65) 6396 6559 Fax: (65) 6396 6563 Website: www.pcompl.biz Sales Enquiry: [email protected]

Starting this thread to highlight real life examples of the low productivity in Singapore. One operator working..... more than 20 persons using eye power....

Labour market is still going strong so it's good news for everyone! ----- Wages and productivity up in 2010 my paper Fri, Jul 01, 2011 By Rachel Chan WAGES in the private sector went up last year, thanks to a strong economy and a tightening labour market, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in its annual report yesterday. Total wages - comprising basic wages and bonuses - grew by 5.5 per cent, while labour productivity increased markedly by 11 per cent. The wage gain was comparable to the 5.9 per cent growth in the pre-recession year of 2007, although it remained lower than the 6.6 per cent increase experienced during the economic expansion in 2000. Singapore's gross domestic product rebounded strongly from the recession year of 2009, with a record growth of 14.5 per cent last year. More private establishments reported that they were profitable last year than in 2009, and the majority of these gave wage increases, in line with the National Wages Council's suggestion to grant sustainable wage increases pegged to a company's performance and prospects. MOM found that the increase in wages was the result of a basic-wage gain of 3.9 per cent and a 9 per cent increase in bonuses. The private sector paid out an annual variable component - comprising the 13th-month bonus and variable bonus - averaging 2.17 months of the basic wage last year, a 9 per cent increase from the 1.99 months in 2009. Basic wages refer to the total basic pay before deducting the employer's Central Provident Fund contribution and personal income tax. Taking into account inflation, real total wages rose by 2.7 per cent last year, after declining by 1 per cent in 2009. Total wages and bonuses both rose for all three categories of employees, namely rank-and-file workers, junior-management staff and senior-management staff. While all industries doled out fatter salaries to their employees last year, those in the financial-services sector received the largest total-wage gains, at 9.9 per cent. Next in line were those in professional services, at 8.8 per cent; and third, community, social and personal services, which posted 6.4 per cent growth. The highest earners continue to be managers, followed by professionals and, thirdly, associate professionals and technicians. Mr Peter Haglund, country manager of employment-services company Manpower Staffing Services, said he projected an increase in wages this year as the economy faces a tighter labour market.

I think it is the civil servant pay increase that affect our productivity.These 2 years i had undertaken 2 position for the same pay. No real gain after the increase of salary for them.It just get worse after the investment in banks.Maybe after the increase in ERP and everything,productivity had increase abit for our dear leaders. Don't blame us for the low productivity as we are working very hard but not much pay increment like the civil servants.