The Pomodoro Technique: Increase Your Productivity TODAY!

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. A pomodoro is an interval of work time.

The method is based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by 5-minute breaks.

After 4 consecutive work intervals (pomodoros), a longer break is taken.

The Pomodoro Technique has 6 steps:

1. Decide on the task to be done.
2. Set a timer for 25 mins.
3. Work on the task.
4. End work when the timer rings and take a short break (5-10 mins).
5. Go back to step 2 and repeat until you complete 4 pomodoros (approx. 2 hrs)
6. After 4 pomodoros are done, take a long break (15-20 mins) instead of a short break.

Once the long break is finished, return to step 2.

How Does The Pomodoro Technique Work?

The Pomodoro Technique trains people to focus on tasks better by limiting the length of time they attempt to maintain that focus and taking restorative breaks from the effort.

It helps to overcome procrastination and focus on one single task.

Using this method helps you create a routine, organize time more efficiently, and accomplish goals faster. 

Here’s the thing, you have to eliminate distractions. That means no checking email, your phone, chatting with co worker, and all other distractions that prevent you from accomplishing your tasks.

How Effective Is The Pomodoro Technique?

From my own personal experience, the Pomodoro Technique is very effective. I use this method every day to achieve various tasks, from studying to writing articles, I can honestly say I have never been more productive.

It’s crazy the amount of work you can accomplish in just 25 minutes. It doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but when it is consistent, dedicated work with no interruptions, twenty-five minutes is a considerable chunk of time. Times that productivity by 4 and you probably accomplished more in that time than you will for the rest of the day.

How The Pomodoro Technique has improved my productivity

Now, I don’t want to sound dramatic, but the Pomodoro Technique has drastically changed the way I manage time – For the better!

I am a procrastinator at heart. I wish I wasn’t, but might as well accept the truth.

By focusing on a single task for 25 minutes at a time, I can complete tasks like never before. It’s crazy. I have a to-do list and I tick items off instead of circling them and making plans to do them ‘later’.

To be honest, I look forward to my 5 minutes of Netflix after each focused work session. My little guilty pleasure. 

Even if I know I only have an hour or so to do work, I will still use the Pomodoro technique and set a timer for 25 minutes. It’s such an effective time management method, that even when I don’t have the full 2 hours to dedicate to a task, the 25-minute interval is enough time to make progress while not feeling overwhelmed.

Other times, 25 minutes is not enough time and I keep sailing through my work long after the timer has gone off. 

The most important thing is that I completed 25 minutes (minimum) of uninterrupted, focused work. Amazing. 

Tips For Succeeding with the Pomodoro Method

1. Eliminate distractions –  keep your email and social media accounts out of sight
2. Leave your phone in a different room – this tip alone has increased my productivity a ton
3. Try different time intervals if 25 and 5 don’t work for you
4. Track your sessions: sometimes a visual reminder of how much work you have done can keep you motivated to do more throughout the day

Who Can Benefit From The Pomodoro Technique?

Everybody.

More specifically: chronic procrastinators, people who get distracted easily, anyone who wants to improve their productivity and time management skills, anyone feeling overwhelmed with a task

Please let me know in the comments if you have tried the Pomodoro Technique and what you thought of it.