The Pomodoro technique is a widely used time management method that will help you get on top of your work and study. Follow this simple guide to get started.
Do you find yourself lacking motivation to start the tasks on your to-do list? Perhaps you take on other tasks or find distractions that keep you away from that thing you don’t really want to do? This time management technique will help you tackle your to-do list and encourage you to complete your tasks in a more efficient way for your brain.
What is the Pomodoro technique?
Francesco Cirillo created the Pomodoro technique in the 1980’s. Like many university students, he was feeling overwhelmed with his studies and the amount of tasks he had to complete. Therefore, he challenged himself to do a short, timed amount of work and found that it encouraged him to keep working. He has since perfected his technique with the most effective timed intervals for our brains to work with.
You may have noticed this technique is named after the tomato (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato). Each Pomodoro – interval of time – is named after the tomato shaped timer that Cirillo used to track his work!
How to use the Pomodoro technique
This time management method requires you to use a timer to break your work into intervals. Follow these simple steps to start using the Pomodoro technique:
- Choose which tasks you want to work on and how long you want to work on them for
- Set a timer for 25 minutes and put all your focus and effort into the task
- After the timer has finished, take a 5 minute break to renew your concentration and energy
- Repeat steps 1 and 2, but after 4 Pomodoro’s (timed intervals of work) take a larger break of 20 minutes to refresh your brain.
Our brains have a limited attention span so the suggested 25 minutes of focused work is the perfect amount of time to be productive and stop procrastinating.
Still struggling to get started on a task? Use these helpful tips!
- Start with small commitments – this is only a guide so feel free to use what timings work for you! If you are finding it difficult to start a task, set yourself a smaller Pomodoro e.g. 5 minutes. This would be a less daunting way to get started and as you get into the task, you will find it easier to carry on
- Avoid checking the timer – it will only seem longer if you watch the seconds tick away… keep your mind on the task and you will find your focus
- Take your breaks away from your workspace – get up, stretch your muscles, maybe start some chores you have to keep those cogs turning in a small way
- Limit distractions by working in a neutral space – this means without electronics like your phone or TV, and try not to work in your bed (it’s comfy but you will most likely want to sleep)
- Put your phone on do not disturb (if you are using a timer on your phone, be careful that it will not stop the timer from alerting you)
- Put smaller tasks together in a Pomodoro and consider starting these first – completing smaller, less scary tasks first will ease you into a focused attitude and will help you build momentum
- If you still can’t bring yourself to start a task because you don’t know where to start, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Remember: this is just a template. Don’t force yourself to stick to the 25 minute suggested schedule if it isn’t helping you. You can modify the Pomodoro’s to work for you.
If you feel you could keep working without the need of that 5 minute break, then continue to work through your tasks, but remember you will need to take a break sometime so you don’t exhaust your brain.
You may not find this technique works straight away. Everybody works differently so stick with it and experiment with Pomodoro timings to find the perfect one for YOU.
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