The Pomodoro Technique: How to use it and increase productivity
Procrastination happens to the best of us. It doesn’t take much to lose focus. A friend is sending you a message on WhatsApp. An e-mail newsletter inviting you to see your favorite brand’s sale. A dirty cup of coffee in front of you. Sometimes – it seems – even the tiniest thing can get you out of your working groove. So, how can you fix this? Using the Pomodoro Technique!
This popular time management strategy doesn’t just help you overcome distractions but also plan your workload more smartly. Keep reading the article below to learn how the Pomodoro Technique can benefit your life.
The idea behind the Pomodoro Technique
While Pomodoro means ‘tomato’ in Italian, the delicious fruit has nothing to do with time management. Well, almost. The technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo at the beginning of the 1990s, who was then a simple university student.
Like many others, he was struggling with his assignments and feeling overwhelmed. That’s when Francesco discovered a solution that made many of his problems disappear.
Cirillo committed to focusing just 10 minutes on a specific task. He set up a tomato-shaped timer (that’s where the technique’s name comes from) and made sure to do the tasks within this time frame.
Since then, Cirillo has written an entire book that focuses on strategy, which helps transform time into a valuable ally. You can read it to get more insight into the topic.
Using the Pomodoro Technique
When it comes to time management strategies, it’s hard to beat the Pomodoro Technique, mainly because it’s so simple to use and customize to your needs. Simply put, it forces you to take breaks every 25 minutes while working on a task. To ensure the method works, you must:
Make a list of your tasks
If you’d like to make the most of the Pomodoro sessions, we suggest befriending to-do lists. Before you begin, create a list of your most important tasks. Don’t stress if the list becomes lengthy. That’s the whole purpose of the Pomodoro Technique – you’re going to split up your workload to make it more manageable.
As you create the list on your Cloudberry planner, you should think about how much time you’ll require for each task. This will help you understand how many Pomodoro sessions you’ll need.
Set the timer
Once you’ve completed the list of all of your responsibilities, set up a timer for 25 minutes. It doesn’t matter whether you opt for a virtual or physical one. You can even use YouTube if that’s what you prefer.
Do the work
After you’ve set up the timer, you must focus on your tasks until it begins ringing. Don’t let any interruptions get you out of your zone. If you’re working in a space with other people, make sure to alert them that you’ll be trying out the method. This will help with potential distractions.
Don’t be discouraged if you still have trouble focusing. Like anything else, the Pomodoro Technique requires practice.
Take a five-minute break
When the timer has rung, you can enjoy a five-minute pause. Use this time any way you please – take a bite of dark chocolate, pay a visit to the restroom or make a delicious tea.
Ideally, avoid screen time and let your eyes rest a bit. Once the five minutes have ended, repeat the steps before. After four Pomodoro Sessions, treat yourself to a longer break.
End notes
One of the reasons why Pomodoro works is because it helps you streamline decisions. According to studies, having too many choices to make can create fatigue. With this technique, you won’t have to think about anything else other than completing your tasks.
But don’t just take our word for it – test the Pomodoro Technique, and see whether it helps you keep your focus in check.
