Be The Master Of Your Time: Using The Pomodoro Technique To Boost Productivity
In this day and age, when distractions are all over the place, it’s indeed getting more challenging to get things done effectively and on time. That’s why many folks out there are looking for a way to break the cycle of procrastination and boost their productivity.
The good thing is that there’s the Pomodoro Technique! To learn more about what is a Pomodoro Technique, read on below.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique in the early 1990s. It is a popular time-management method that enables an individual to focus on a task and increase productivity. Cirillo used the term “Pomodoro,” which is an Italian word for tomato, after the tomato-shaped timer he used when he was a university student.
If you think the methodology behind it is complicated, think again. In fact, the Pomodoro Technique is arguably one of the easiest time-management methods that you can apply today. When you need to do a task, you just need to break it down into timed periods (every timed period is called a Pomodoro), followed by short breaks.
This cyclical time-management method helps your brain to concentrate on your task for short sprints to get it done. The regular breaks after each period, on the other hand, help you get more creative and increase your motivation. So, if you want to improve your attention span or stay on top of deadlines, the Pomodoro Technique is the productivity method for you!
How Does it Work?
You only need to use a timer when you want to apply the Pomodoro Technique to your work routine. You can use this free online Tomato timer, for instance, every time you start working on something.
It’s also helpful to read the book, The Pomodoro Technique, written by none other than the inventor of this time-management method himself, Francesco Cirillo. In the book, the author relates the reader to the five steps on how to get started with this technique.
- Pick a task that needs to be done.
- Set the timer to 25 minutes. Tell yourself to focus on the task and don’t allow any distractions during this short period.
- Work on the task at hand until the timer rings, then put a checkmark on a sheet of paper.
- Take a short break (5 minutes is alright). During the break, you can think or do things unrelated to the task.
- Once you have completed four sets of 25-minute work periods, take a longer break (20 to 30 minutes will do). The long break is an excellent time to recharge your mind and body. You can drink coffee, eat some snacks, or take a nap during this time.
For the efficiency of this technique, determine how much effort a particular task requires, define its objectives, and create a timetable to delimit the amount of time for every task. These things help you to lessen the complexity of the work and accomplish it more timely and effectively
How to Handle Interruptions During a Task Period?
Sometimes it’s unavoidable that you get interrupted or distracted by a meeting, emergency, or a co-worker while you’re in the zone of doing a task. In such cases, you either stop the timer and start a new one at a later time or put off the interruption until the Pomodoro is complete.
Well, if you decide to complete the Pomodoro, it’s a must to tell your “distractor” that you’re doing something at the moment. It also helps to use your negotiation skills and set a time later to tackle what they need from you. After your Pomodoro is complete, make sure to get back to them for that purpose.
Takeaway
The Pomodoro Technique is indeed an excellent time-management method that every productivity fanatic should apply to their work routine. This technique helps you to concentrate on a specific task, reduce distractions, cut down the amount of time of the work, and increase your productivity.