Boost Your Focus: A Beginner’s Guide to The Pomodoro Technique
When I'm struggling to get things done, I always turn to my favourite time management method: the Pomodoro Technique. If you've not used it before, or need a refresher, this article is for you.
Do you ever wish there were more hours in the day?
Me too.
The problem is, you can't make more time – we all have the same 24 hours – but you can apply constraints to it. Although it sounds counterintuitive, constraints will help you use your time better – that is why I love the Pomodoro Technique.
Below, I explain:
how to use the Pomodoro Technique
why it works, and
the tools you need (spoiler alert: you only need one).
How to Use The Pomodoro Technique
First, grab a timer. I recommend an old-fashioned kitchen timer rather than your mobile phone.
Take every possible step to ensure you are not distracted; for example, you might need to work in an alternative location, close your emails, hide your mobile, block the internet and/or wear noise-cancelling headphones or, my preference, Loops earplugs.
When you are ready to start work:
Set the timer for 25 minutes.
Work on your task with complete focus.
Take a five-minute break.
Repeat.
Each 25-minute chunk is a Pomodoro; take an extended break when you have done four (two hours of work).
If you are interested in the origin of the Pomodoro Technique, and what tomatoes have to do with productivity, I refer you to Wikipedia (not because it is the best source, but because it is time-efficient).
Why Does The Pomodoro Technique Help With Time Management?
The Pomodoro Technique quickly forces you into focus mode – or a state of flow – allowing you to get more done.
Parkinson's Law tells us work expands to fill the time assigned to it (case in point: a one-hour meeting will always last an hour, even if it could have been completed in 15 minutes). Once you are comfortable with the technique, designate a set number of Pomodoros (Pomodori?) to a task – once your time is up, ship your work.
Another benefit of this technique is accessibility – you only need a timer.
Bonus Pomodoro Tools
As I mentioned above, all you need is a timer.
I sometimes like to use an old-fashioned hourglass (this is mine).
If you love an app, try Forest; it gamifies the process because you plant virtual trees for each Pomodoro completed. If you disrupt the timer, you kill a virtual tree.
If you prefer something free and browser-based, then Pomofocus is ideal.
If you need additional accountability, try in-person or virtual co-working. Set an intention at the start of each Pomodoro and check in at the end. Cuckoo is a free, web-based, shared timer.
Over to You
What are your thoughts on the Pomodoro Technique? Let me know in the comments; I'd love to hear from you.
I love the thought of using an old fashion hourglass! I do use the pomodoro technique-ish. I tend to bend the 25 minutes to work within shorter time frames, unless at my day job - then 25 mins is perfect. I also use a cube block timer for my 10 minute joy breaks.