Learn How to Efficiently Manage Your Time Using The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique has been around since the 1980s, and its popular in a number of circles as a great means by which to improve your efficiency. This technique has its critics, however, just like everything else. Just like anything else, its the ideal solution for some individuals, while other individuals find it more of a chore than a benefit. In this article, we will be taking a close look at the Pomodoro Technique so you can determine if its something you wish to try for yourself.

The Pomodoro Technique is quite easy, and does not require any equipment more complicated than a timepiece or stopwatch. Heres the technique in short: you work – focused – for 25 minutes. At the end of that time, you stop working for five minutes and do something different. Each one of these sessions is known as a “pomodoro” (which means tomato in Italian), and, once you have completed four of them, youve earned a longer break of fifteen or twenty minutes. This is an effective system for those with short attention spans, because you dont ever have work longer than 25 minutes without a pause. The five minute pauses are nice and relaxing, and you never lose the continuity with what you were working on. The main key to using this strategy is to have a way to keep track of how much time passes.

If you are going to use the Pomodoro Technique, its vital to follow it carefully. The individual who created it, Francesco Cirillo, used a stopwatch to make sure he knew just how long he had to go in every single session. Training yourself to work in 25 minute sessions – without any distractions – is the prime benefit of this method. When we sit down to work, without end in sight, its not hard to become distracted periodically. This happens to many people. When using The Pomodoro Technique, all that you must do is concentrate on your work for 25 minutes. That makes it much easier to remain centered on your work. The pauses are frequent so, in reality, you learn to work without distraction since you know there is an end in sight – even if its merely a 5 minute break.

There are those who dont care for The Pomodoro Technique, due to what they perceive as flaws in the way the system works. They find it annoying, and stressful, to be continuously watching a clock or stopwatch when theyre trying to work. There are a few common reactions to watching the clock: it can make you feel anxious and under pressure, or it can help keep you focused entirely on your work and, in the end, be more productive. One problem folks encounter with this method is that the type of work they do doesnt squeeze into 25 minute time frames. For example, if you need to respond to emails or phone calls, it might not be time efficient to pause after 25 minutes and have a break. Yet the Pomodoro Technique does work effectively for certain types of people, especially those who have to work long hours alone.

And so, your analysis of The Pomodoro Method as being something you could put to good use, or something that would just be a distraction, will depend on the kind of work you do and your individuality. You might want to look further into this popular technique, or perhaps try it our for yourself. Even if you dont follow it exactly, you can make good use of the basic idea of taking regular brief breaks.

The preceding article was sponsored by Finejewelers.com, sellers of gorgeous tanzanite bracelets and breath-taking mens rings which would make endearing gifts for any occasion.

Processing your request, Please wait....