Time Management using the Pomodoro Technique
by 10000_hours •
What is the Pomodoro Technique
Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique, which suggests dividing all work time into small intervals (usually 25 minutes long) and alternating them with a short breaks (5-10 minutes). After several such repetitions to take a longer break for 15-30 minutes. During a 25-minute work interval, it is necessary to concentrate as much as possible on the task at hand and only on it. A timer is used to control the time.
The Pomodoro Technique can find its application in a variety of fields, and it can be used regardless of whether you are a student or an entrepreneur. With its help, you can greatly increase your productivity and manage your time more effectively.
How to use the Pomodoro Technique
To achieve goals, the Pomodoro Technique highlights 6 basic steps:
- Define tasks and prioritize them. The first thing to do in the Pomodoro Technique is to make a list of tasks for today that need to be accomplished. Take into account the 25-minute work interval and define the tasks that can be accomplished in this time frame. If the task is more extensive and requires more time, break it up into subtasks that take about 25 minutes to complete. If you have many smaller tasks on your list, simply group them so that they take about 25 minutes to complete. Once all the tasks have been identified, prioritize them.
- Set the timer for 25 minutes. Now you need to take the highest priority task on the list and set the timer for 25 minutes. This is such an important point that the Pomodoro Technique has a separate step for this. Don't try to keep track of the time yourself, trust the timer to do it. And it doesn't matter what kind of timer it will be, it can be a real-kitchen timer, or just a handy app on your phone or computer.
- Work on the task. For those 25 minutes, concentrate as much as possible only on the chosen task, don't interrupt or get distracted (for example, by keeping track of time). If you work in a team, warn your colleagues in advance that you should not be disturbed at this time.
- Take a short break. When the timer goes off, take a short break (5-10 minutes). During this time you can go to the restroom, drink a glass of water, let your eyes rest and just stretch. Be sure to leave your workplace for this time. In no case, do not continue to work, if the task requires an impressive amount of time to complete. Set a logical point, start a timer and go on break.
- Repeat steps 2-4. After a short break, go back to step 2 and repeat steps 2 through 4 until you have completed 4 work repetitions of 25 minutes in a row, separated by 3 short breaks of 5 minutes each.
- Take a long break. After doing 4 work reps, take a longer break, usually 15-30 minutes. During this time try to recover your forces: take a snack, get some fresh air. This break will allow you to look at the work done from the side and to see the general picture. When the timer expires, go back to step 2, and repeat the steps until all tasks are completed.
Conclusion
The Pomodoro Technique is a simple working tool that you can use in your daily life to greatly increase your productivity.
