What is the Pomodoro Technique?

This technique allows for focus and maximised productivity, whilst keeping you feeling mentally fresh. This method is all about time management and works best if you can reduce distractions to a minimum and can easily break up your tasks into smaller chunks. The Pomodoro Technique can work well for managing emails, revising exams, writing something breakdown-able, interview preparation, job hunting, brainstorming, and to be honest, pretty much everything can be done with this technique, you just have to be able to figure out a way to break the task down into chunks that won’t tire you out. For more time management tips check out the link: Time Management Tips to Reduce Stress

The Pomodoro Technique

1.

Choose a task.

Consider how long your Pomodoro is and how much you reckon you could get done in that time. If one task is too big for the time – break it down, and if it’s too small then add another task.

2.

Complete a work session.

The Pomodoro work session length recommended is 25 minutes. So after choosing a task, work on it for 25 minutes.

3.

Take a Break.

If you’re doing a work session of 25 minutes, after the 25 minutes take a 5 minute break.

4.

Repeat.

Repeat until you’ve completed a total of four work sessions and breaks (pomodoros), and then take a longer break (usually 15 or 30 minutes).

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Extra things to consider.

1. Once you’ve chosen the duration of your pomodoros, make sure you stick to it. You may feel tempted to shorten your breaks or lengthen your breaks depending on motivation, but it is key to stick to the routine you chose for yourself. This technique works based on the fact that you have to be disciplined enough to not change your mind on the time management.
2. If you feel that you could do with longer work sessions, then it is a good idea to consider increasing your time for breaks, otherwise it could be very possible that you will tire yourself out and lose focus.
3. This technique works best when you limit distractions. For example, if you don’t need your phone for your tasks, then put it out of sight so you don’t feel tempted to use it. A trap a lot of people fall into is becoming distracted by another task before you’ve finished your current one. Don’t let yourself switch tasks unless it was originally planned, otherwise your organisation of task completion won’t be carried out.
4. Make this technique slightly easy for yourself in the beginning, this will give you the chance to get used to the routine of pomodoros without too much challenge of having to stick to long work sessions etc.
5. A good guide is for an 8hr work day, to have 16 pomodoros in place. Preferably keep 2 or 3 pomodoros spare for any overflow of tasks or unexpected tasks that crop up during the day. We aren’t perfect and so we can’t predict perfectly how long each tasks will take.
6. If you’re looking at screens a lot during your work sessions, then consider doing something that doesn’t require a screen during your breaks. This could be going for a walk, or reading a book or doing some housework (if you’re at home).

References – other website you might find useful

The Pomodoro Technique

Boost Your Workday Productivity: Tips and Tricks for Getting More Done

Master the Pomodoro Technique for better productivity