What is Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro Technique was created in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo for a more productive way to work and study. Cirillo was struggling to focus on his studies and complete assignments. He developed Pomodoro technique as a way to improve concentration, productivity and efficiency.
The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a pomodoro, from the Italian word for 'tomato', after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student.
What are the five steps in the Pomodoro technique?
The biggest strength of the Pomodoro method is in its simplicity. Here are the 5 steps to put Pomodoro technique to practice:
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Identify your top goals for the day, break them down into small tasks and set estimate pomodoros (e.g. 1=25 mins of work) for each task.
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Set your timer and focus on a single task for the next 25 mins (or chosen pomodoro time block).
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When timer rings, mark off one pomodoro and record what you completed.
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Take a break for 5 mins. Consciously plan these breaks to do something that staves off mental fatigue.
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Iterate 3-5 times and then take a longer break of 15-30 mins.
Is Pomodoro always 25 minutes?
Pomodoros are traditionally known for being 25 minutes long, but the technique does not enforce it. It's quite flexible and allows you to choose your own pomodoro interval.
When to use the Pomodoro method?
Use the Pomodoro technique if:
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You are feeling overwhelmed by the number of things to do and all the work ahead of you.
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Little distractions and interruptions eat up into your precious time.
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You want to get better at estimating how much work you can get done in a day.
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You want to train your brain to focus and concentrate without feeling fatigued.
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You enjoy gamification to achieve your goals.
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You want to have a clear measurement of your time and efforts.
If you have a long to-do list and don't know which tasks to prioritize first, start with the Eisenhower productivity matrix to divide your work into important/urgent quadrants and then use the pomodoro planner to complete each task.
Why does the Pomodoro technique work?
Here's why pomodoro method is extremely useful for boosting productivity and getting things done:
Rids of procrastination
Breaking down a big goal into small tasks and doing each one independently is less intimidating which makes it easy to get started. Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of all the work ahead of you, focusing on the next 25 minutes is easier because there's less uncertainty involved.
Keeps distractions away
Distractions from phone, emails, and social media may appear brief, but they negatively impact your productivity by increasing the time it takes to refocus your attention. For example: Checking twitter for 1 min may require another 20 mins to get back and focus. Pomodoro technique helps you avoid these distractions that demand your time and attention and instead fully focus on the task in the present.
Helps measure and plan
By working in specific blocks of time, you can clearly measure the time taken to achieve a certain goal. This allows you to get better at estimation by reflecting on the time estimated and actual time spent. Working in small sessions shifts the idea of time from an abstract concept to an exact measure which enables you to give more realistic time estimates.
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