After hearing so much discussion about the Pomodoro Technique, I decided I should at least perform my due diligence and give it a try. I listened to so many different people scream and rave about how it helped them substantially enhance their attention and increase their productivity. Therefore, I reasoned that trying it out couldn’t hurt and that if all went well, I may even discover a new strategy for completing my never-ending to-do list.
What is Pomodoro Technique?
Pomodoros are the name for the breaks you take in your workday into 25-minutes halves. You take a lengthier pause of roughly 15 to 20 minutes after four Pomodoros. This technique is founded by Francesco Cirillo for managing time during work.
The timer is supposed to create a sense of urgency in the process. You know you only have 25 minutes to make as much progress on a job as you can, so you don’t feel like you have all day to get things done and wind up wasting those valuable work hours on diversions.
These forced intervals also alleviate the stressed, exhausted sensation that most of us have toward the end of the day. The ticking timer on your computer makes it hard for you to sit in front of it for hours without even recognizing it.
I found the idea of maintaining such a thorough record of my job to be a little onerous. So I did a Pomodoro timer download on my phone. If you want to attempt this yourself, I strongly advise it because it made things a lot simpler. Try Focus Keeper on your iPhone if you have one. Android users may check out Pomodoro Timer Lite in the meanwhile.
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Hypotheses about Pomodoro Technique I conducted.
If I’m being really honest, I didn’t think I would like this at all. I’m the kind of person who typically works for four hours straight in front of the computer without even getting up to use the restroom.
I was so accustomed to working for such extended periods (during which I believed I was being productive), that the concept of breaking up my workday and, gasp! Taking breaks seemed completely contradictory. Is working less going to help me achieve more?
I didn’t think the notion would work well for me. But I still took the risk.
Results I found
Let’s go right to the point: My first hypothesis was incorrect. In the end, I found this approach to be incredibly enjoyable, and I’ll probably keep using it whenever I need to increase my productivity.
Working in such modest steps at first seemed awkward. I was inclined to keep working despite the timer quite a few times, especially at the beginning. But I made a conscious effort to follow the framework.
The technique eventually became second nature to me. I worked really hard and with great concentration because I wanted to finish as much as I could in the allotted 25 minutes.
I didn’t discover myself aimlessly perusing Facebook or falling for those annoying clickbait stories. And despite my propensity for multitasking, I found that I was completely focused on the current assignment.
I discovered that I felt better at the end of each day because I was compelled to stand up and give myself a break from gazing at my laptop screen. I felt less agitated, dizzy, and constricted, and I also felt like I had put in an honest day’s labor.
Who would have thought that standing up a few times a day would be beneficial?
But if I didn’t include at least one disadvantage, I wouldn’t be a truthful journalist. When I had all of my time to myself, it worked perfectly, but when I had planned calls and meetings, it was pretty challenging. I was in the middle of a chat when my timer went off.
Because of this, I simply stopped using my timer during these visits, whether they lasted 15 minutes or an hour, and resumed using the approach once they were through. That would imply that I violated some of the regulations, but I was at a loss for what to do.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I was shocked to discover that I enjoyed the Pomodoro Technique a lot and that it did what it was supposed to do—make me more productive and focused. On the days when I have nothing scheduled, I intend to use it. I’m interested to see how well it functions for someone who frequently has several meetings, phone calls, and appointments, though.