Pomodoro - A simple technique for time management.

Today's blog is about one technique that I have been using for quite some time to manage and work on my tasks.

Pomodoro Technique - A famous time management method that was invented by Francesco Cirillo. He used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato (“Pomodoro” in Italian), forced himself to study for exactly 25 minutes, then took a break of 5 minutes.

It uses a timer to break down the work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks of 3- 5 minutes.

This technique has worked like wonders in accomplishing goals and has been a widely popularized concept in the productivity and time management world.

The six-step process of a Pomodoro session

1. Pick a task you want to work on (this should be easy :P)

2. Set the Pomodoro timer - Traditionally for 25 minutes

3. Work on the chosen task for 25 minutes.

4. End the work timer when the timer goes off and put a checkmark on a piece of paper.

5. Take a short break of 5 minutes. Do anything non-work-related - take a walk, do stretches, or watch videos of a dog/cat on Instagram.

6. Take a more extended break of 15-20 mins every 4 Pomodoro sessions.

7. Reset checkmark counts to 0 and go back to step 1.
   

To follow the method you will need:

• A pen and paper.

• A dedicated time where you can be most creative

• Of course, An IMPORTANT TASK needs to be identified that needs your attention.

• Willingness to try :P

You need to break your task down into Pomodoro sessions of 25 mins and figure out how many sessions to do need and how to manage your breaks. It is important that we set and focus all our energy on the task at hand. If there is something else that pops up in between which is causing distraction. Do not try to fight it. Note it down on the paper and proceed with your work until the Pomodoro timer rings. After timer goes off give energy to the distraction and get them out of the way before the next Pomodoro session.

Benefits of Pomodoro Technique

Fighting Distraction: If you’ve ever been interrupted when you were in a flow state, you know how difficult regaining focus can be. By creating these sessions we can complete and dedicate distraction-free time for our tasks at hand.

Improved concentration: We cannot focus for an extended amount of time. Even if we can do that after a certain amount of time we tend to see a dip in our focus. Taking brief breaks helps us reset the timer and tackle the lingering thoughts that pop up while working. This allows us to start with a clean slate.

More aware of where our time goes: Who does not want that? By noting these Pomodoro sessions, it is easy to understand where our time goes. It gives us a good idea to retrospect and helps us in overcoming the planning fallacy (our tendency to vastly underestimate the time needed to complete future tasks)

Hope this seems easy and doable and the benefits were convincing enough for you to give it a try (if not, still try this for fun :p).

There are many variations on the Pomodoro Technique. Do not limit yourself into following exactly how this is mentioned.

Tailor the principles of Pomodoro technique to match your style

I like one Pomodoro session to be of at least 50 - 55 minutes and then I take a break of 5 minutes. Somehow 25 minutes seem a little too less for me.

Ultimately the core Pomodoro Technique principle of working in specific time blocks is what needs to be honored.

Some application recommendations: Focus Keeper(iOS), Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & To-Do List (iOS, Andriod), PomoDone (iOS, Android) - my personal favorite

I would like to close by quoting lines I read somewhere,

What we need is something sustainable. Something balanced. Something deliberate without being forced. Purposeful without being obsessed with productivity.

Happy Pomodoro-ing!! :)

See you next Monday. Until then Mask up, Stay Safe and Stay Healthy.

P.S.: Sorry for being late today. It is past midnight and a Tuesday. I had to take care of something on the personal front. I promise to see you on time for the next one :)