x min read
“Using the Pomodoro technique to achieve productivity superstardom”
Introduction
Distractions are imminent in a world filled with distractions and things to keep us wasting our time, again, and again, and again.
Nowadays, a majority of us can’t sit down for 30 minutes just working. Putting too much focus on a task that requires mental capacity, mental strength, and cognitive thinking is just too much for a lot of us. That’s the point that we’ve come to.
But, there’s a solution: The Pomodoro Technique
I go more in-depth on it below, but in short, if you’re looking to maximize the time you put into your work without exactly sitting for an hour straight just working, then this is the right one for you.
The Pomodoro Technique (defined)
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It’s a simple, yet effective, approach to managing your work or study sessions in short, focused intervals, known as “Pomodoros,” followed by brief breaks.
For example, if I were to implement this technique while annotating a 20-page essay, I would spend 25 minutes (the length of the work session) annotating, reading, etc. Then, I’d take a break for 5 minutes (no longer) and then continue working.
Pretty simple.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Set a Goal: Before you start a Pomodoro, define a clear and specific task that you want to accomplish. This will be your primary focus during the upcoming session.
- Set a Timer: Traditionally, each Pomodoro lasts for 25 minutes. You can use a timer, a Pomodoro app, or your phone’s stopwatch. Set it for 25 minutes and begin working on your task.
- Work Diligently: During the work session, immerse yourself in your work, and work diligently on the chosen task. Avoid any distractions, and stay committed to the task at hand.
- Take a Short Break: When the timer rings after 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break. Use this time to relax, stretch, or grab a quick snack. It’s essential to step away from your work briefly.
- Repeat: After your break, start another Pomodoro and continue the cycle. After completing about four work sessions, take a more extended break of 15-30 minutes to recharge.
How to Master This Technique (ez)
This is one of the more simpler techniques out there. So, when I say “master”, I really mean “maximizing the benefits earned from this method“.
- Remove all distractions (this includes extra tabs on your computer, phones, etc.)
- Learn how to maximize your time spent doing work
- Be sure to ONLY take 5 minute breaks. Sure, you may say to yourself that “you only have 5 minutes”, but the mind doesn’t care. It will take every opportunity it can to assure that those 5 minutes become 15, 30, an hour, to even several hours. It’s happened to the best of us. It sucks. What matters is that you learn how to counter it, rather than letting it happen every. single. time.
- To do this, I suggest NOT USING YOUR PHONE OR ANY DIGITAL DEVICES IF NOT NECESSARY. Trust me, it will save you so much time in the long-term and will actually make this study method pretty decent. The reason most people end up losing too much time taking “short” breaks is because they don’t keep track of time.
- Learn how to spend your break correctly. Go eat a snack. Wash your face. Get a drink of water. Do a couple push-ups. Anything that’s outside of bad, cheap screen time won’t give you anything (but it will take).
- How much can you get done in 25 minutes? If you’re someone that needs some time to actually enter the “zone” in order to work at 100% effort (or at least close to it) and reach peak efficiency, then forget this method altogether. I mean it.
- Set time constraints. Give yourself 25 minutes only to complete a task. Challenge yourself to get it done within that time limit, and if not, you punish yourself in some form. Give your brain a reason to complete the work faster next time.
“Phone” Images – Unsplash.com
My Personal Opinion
This technique is good if you’re someone that:
- Enters the “zone” relatively quickly
- Can work fast, and under pressure
- Doesn’t get distracted easily
- Has learned to spend 5 minute (or shorter) breaks very wisely
Otherwise, if you don’t check all four of those boxes, I suggest dumping this method in the bin and completely abandoning it.
In my personal opinion, this method only really works if you’re someone that gets good work done fast, and can enter a flow state very quickly. Otherwise, those 25 minute repeated work sessions will consist of 10 minutes actually working, and the rest just day-dreaming and distracted.
Entering a flow state isn’t the easiest thing to do – especially when you’re just getting started. But once you’ve mastered it, it’ll beat so many of the other techniques you’ve seen online.
There’s so much praise towards this technique, but personally, I don’t see it. Maybe I’m a little biased because of the fact that it takes longer for me to focus my brain on a specific task, but that’s what I believe. In most situations out of 10, you’ll end up wasting your time for those 25 minutes, and extending those 5 minute breaks far longer than 5 minutes.
Should You Try It?
If you meant the requirements that listed in the section above, I would say yes. Maybe it’ll be worth it. And just maybe, it’ll actually suit you. Always remember: just because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you.
Otherwise, if you don’t meet the points, don’t bother. If you’re interested in viewing another technique to study with, you check out my post here, where I review the SQ3R method.
Action Step
- Find something to work on that will take 2 hours+
- Implement the Pomodoro technique, following the entire procedure from top to bottom
- Reflect: Did it work for you? Did you see a difference in work ethic and quality? Or did absolutely nothing change?
Conclusion
By breaking your work into manageable intervals and incorporating regular breaks, you can tackle tasks more efficiently and reduce burnout. Give it a try, adapt it to your needs, and watch your productivity soar. Mastering the Pomodoro Technique may be the key to unlocking your full potential in work, study, and life.
