Feeling a little sluggish lately? Try spicing up your routine with a new productivity method: The Pomodoro Technique. This guide will tell you all you need to know about the basics of the Pomodoro Technique, how it works and its benefits.
What exactly is the Pomodoro Technique?
I’m sure we’ve all heard the word “Pomodoro” thrown around, but what does this productivity technique actually entail? In a nutshell, this productivity technique functions on the belief that humans just aren’t made for hours and hours of work. Consequently, we get worn out and productivity declines beyond a certain amount of time. Instead of fighting this, we should use this understanding to our advantage. As a result, this productivity hack involves 25-minute chunks of intense work, followed by 5-minute breaks. These intervals are the well-known “Pomodoros”. After 4-5 Pomodoros, you may then extend your breaks to 15, or even 20 minutes.
Why does this technique work?
What makes the Pomodoro technique so effective? It’s simply its use of a sense of urgency. Shorter time intervals create a sense of urgency that motivates us to get tasks done quicker. In addition to this, shorter time frames usually mean a lower probability of wandering minds. By combining super-speed work with extra focus, the Pomodoro technique successfully boosts productivity.
Who should try this technique out?
- People who struggle with productivity
- People who get distracted easily
- Someone with little motivation
- Someone who gets burnt out quickly
- People without a systematic means of getting work done
Criticism
Not everyone loves the Pomodoro Technique. At the same time, it’s not suitable for all kinds of tasks. Ultimately, productivity is a subjective matter. A technique that works for one person might not guarantee productivity for someone else. Similarly, there’s never a one-size-fits-all productivity hack for all types of tasks. Although the Pomodoro Technique could be great for finishing immediate tasks, tasks that require brainstorming, imagination or creativity can suffer from such a process. The stress of sticking to a fixed time and urgency could distract you from creating something amazing.
Tips to master the Pomodoro Technique
- Plan your goals before you start. Since the Pomodoro Technique is best for executing tasks, you should have a list on hand before starting work. This means setting aside ample time to plan systematic tasks that could help you achieve your daily goals.
- Adapt it to your preferences. There’s a sweet spot between urgency that motivates you to work faster, and urgency that stresses you out to the point of unproductivity. That’s precisely why some people dislike the Pomodoro Technique — it’s too stressful! If this sounds like something you might experience, try the Pomodoro Technique with a timer like a Timeqube. A Timeqube is a mindful timer that helps you track time through the gentle change of colours. Besides this, there’s no ticking to distract you from your work, and no blaring alarms to stress you out. What’s more, human vision recognises colour peripherally, which means you won’t have to waste time glancing at a clock. Ultimately, it’s an easy tool that could bring you a world of better productivity.
Is this the technique for you?
Give the Pomodoro Technique a try today and see if it’s a good productivity technique for you. Remember to customize the experience to best suit your personal preferences, and give other productivity methods — like the Zen To Done Rule — a shot.
