[caption id="attachment_712" align="alignright" width="300"] Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique on the official website: www.pomodorotechnique.com[/caption]
I think I might soon fall into the category of Productivity Nerd. I constantly seem to be searching new methods to increase my productivity. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but to some people working next to me I might appear unstable.
So one of the latest techniques I’ve been using, quite successfully, is the Pomodoro technique, invented by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. The idea is to use time blocks and focus all your attention to a particular task for 25 minutes, then allow yourself a 5 minute break before working on something else – or continuing the task.
I’ve used time blocks before, but what I like about this technique is that the blocks are quite short, 25 minutes only. It’s great because you’re not committing yourself to a huge task, so you’re less tempted to diverge and lose your concentration. What is actually recommended is to use a timer, so there is some kind of discipline behind it, but having a timer really helps. It also becomes a little bit of a game.
You might also want to reduce the time to 15 minutes, for tasks that you are procrastinating on. For example, lots of people who need to write something keep procrastinating and putting the task for later. But what if you say to yourself that you’ll only work on it for 15 minutes, it becomes much easier right? And usually, once you get started and are in the flow, you just want to continue.
Don’t forget to time yourself
I’ve searched for iPhone apps helping with the Pomodoro technique, and there are quite a few. The one I chose is called PomodoroList and is available for free. It does the job well, although tasks don’t start automatically one after another.
But I wanted something on my computer, so that I wouldn’t have to unlock my phone all the time. After searching a little bit, I found a timer online: FocusBoosterApp. The interface is very easy to use, you can edit the timing of your block, and there is no need to login or register to use it. But be prepared to see a few eyebrows raised if you are in a shared office. My colleague was wondering for a while what this ringing bell was when my time went off... Eventually I also converted her to try it, and she was amazed how exhausting it was to be razor focused for 25 minutes.
Oh, and just for the anecdote, most of these timers are shaped like a tomato (like the one you might have in your kitchen), and if you wonder why, it’s because Pomodoro is the italian word for Tomato !
So what are you waiting for, set your timer and get to work. And let me know in the comments what you think of the experience.
I think I might soon fall into the category of Productivity Nerd. I constantly seem to be searching new methods to increase my productivity. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but to some people working next to me I might appear unstable.
So one of the latest techniques I’ve been using, quite successfully, is the Pomodoro technique, invented by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. The idea is to use time blocks and focus all your attention to a particular task for 25 minutes, then allow yourself a 5 minute break before working on something else – or continuing the task.
I’ve used time blocks before, but what I like about this technique is that the blocks are quite short, 25 minutes only. It’s great because you’re not committing yourself to a huge task, so you’re less tempted to diverge and lose your concentration. What is actually recommended is to use a timer, so there is some kind of discipline behind it, but having a timer really helps. It also becomes a little bit of a game.
You might also want to reduce the time to 15 minutes, for tasks that you are procrastinating on. For example, lots of people who need to write something keep procrastinating and putting the task for later. But what if you say to yourself that you’ll only work on it for 15 minutes, it becomes much easier right? And usually, once you get started and are in the flow, you just want to continue.
Don’t forget to time yourself
I’ve searched for iPhone apps helping with the Pomodoro technique, and there are quite a few. The one I chose is called PomodoroList and is available for free. It does the job well, although tasks don’t start automatically one after another.
But I wanted something on my computer, so that I wouldn’t have to unlock my phone all the time. After searching a little bit, I found a timer online: FocusBoosterApp. The interface is very easy to use, you can edit the timing of your block, and there is no need to login or register to use it. But be prepared to see a few eyebrows raised if you are in a shared office. My colleague was wondering for a while what this ringing bell was when my time went off... Eventually I also converted her to try it, and she was amazed how exhausting it was to be razor focused for 25 minutes.
Oh, and just for the anecdote, most of these timers are shaped like a tomato (like the one you might have in your kitchen), and if you wonder why, it’s because Pomodoro is the italian word for Tomato !
So what are you waiting for, set your timer and get to work. And let me know in the comments what you think of the experience.
Loved the article. I would like to share another Pomodoro app for iPhone (Disclaimer: I'm one of the developers). It's just 1.99 and we think we've put out the best UI out there! You can get it at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pomodoro-timer-focus-on-your/id703145045?ls=1&mt=8
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