Pomodoro What? Find Out How This Technique Can Change The Way You Work

Pomodoro What? Find Out How This Technique Can Change The Way You Work

Egg timer…check! Twenty minutes to spare…check! Phone on silent…check!

Ok, well that should have given you an insight into what this article is about. A big tick if you’ve worked out that it has something to do with time management. Isn’t it always these days? 

Many of us find ourselves desperately trying to carve out an extra hour from an already packed 24-hour day, only to question why our to-do list never seems to shrink. We often feel overwhelmed, burdened by the sheer magnitude of tasks that still lie ahead. The advice is constantly shifting—on one hand, we’re encouraged to multitask to maximise productivity, only for new research to emerge that warns us of the negative impacts multitasking can have on our concentration and efficiency.

Similarly, we’re advised to prioritise more sleep to enhance our mental and physical wellbeing, yet paradoxically, we’re also told to rise earlier to seize the day, even when the previous night’s rest was scarcely enough. It’s bewildering to navigate the myriad of conflicting do’s and don’ts, leaving us puzzled and uncertain about how to best manage our time and energy in such a demanding world. It’s a constant balancing act that feels impossible to perfect, leaving us spinning our wheels in an endless cycle of fatigue and frustration.

The Pomodoro Technique

Then walks in yet another technique that will change our lives…or promises to make us manage our time better. It’s called the ‘Pomodoro’ technique. This is not like when Apple first released its phone that changed the way we use mobile phones forever…it’s essentially a time management technique with a few tweaks. I’m using it now, as I write this…I’ve got 10 minutes left (you’ll understand more about this in a few moments).

The Basics

So, according to the Pomodoro technique, time is no longer the enemy. We’re not begrudging how little time we feel we have, as we are in control. That control comes from a timer. You set the time you want to spend on each task, set the timer, start working through your to-do list and ignore everything – that really does mean everything – until the timer goes off, or you have finished the task. If you don’t finish the task within the set timeframe, you can add more time if you want, but you will be in control.

Seafoam Magnetic Kitchen Timer

Some people decide that the maximum they want to work on any given task is 20 minutes, for example. After 20 minutes, the timer will start another 20-minute cycle. But they take a five-minute break between 20-minute bursts so they can stretch, stretch – basically recharge before the next task starts.

You can use a timer like this Seafoam Magnetic Kitchen Timer (www.kikkerlandeu.com), or grab a cheapie one from eBay or Amazon. But I recommend that you don’t use the timer on your mobile phone – unless you are uber-disciplined and can resist the temptation to start using your mobile phone when you start and switch off the timer. A timer that only does the timing will really help you set a time to work on your task.

30/30 mPomodor app

If you can be disciplined with your mobile phone, try an app like 30/30. It lets you create a list of tasks and set time against it. When you start a task, once the time runs out, the app tells you to move on to the next task. Think of it as a bit similar to a personal trainer…for time management.

Does the Pomodoro Technique Work?

Yes – it really does. As someone who works from home most of the time, using the Pomodoro technique helps to bring the mundane to-do list to life. It’s like having a personal assistant who is on your case every half an hour, reminding you of what you need to do next, and it really helps make the day’s work move a lot faster.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.