A long list of tasks to be taken care of could cause panic, especially for those who are easily overwhelmed. One could freeze, or one could leave their job untouched, making them a procrastinator. If this sounds familiar, the Pomodoro Technique could save the day, and you will never have to spend the whole day worrying about not getting the job done.
The Origin
A developer and entrepreneur, Francesco Cirillo, created this technique when he was a university student. H organized his schedule using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer and found out that 25-minute pomodori (time intervals) helped him focus. Pomodoro is an Italian phrase for tomato. The term for ‘each work interval’ is called pomodoro. Even though the word originated in Italy, it is widely popular in Japan.
What are the benefits?
Individuals who are practicing the pomodoro technique will have a boost in productivity, less time taken to complete tasks and help to reach goals with minimal effort. This is because it helps you focus on your tasks for 25 minutes and continue with short breaks. Taking breaks will reduce burnout and also improve and maintain attention span. This technique is suitable for perfectionists, procrastinators and multi-taskers. It is also effective for busy individuals who struggle to focus and those who are seeking a work-life balance. Being a perfectionist and multi-tasker is not a bad thing; they tend to take too much time doing a task, which affects productivity.
The Way to Do It
Before selecting a task, ensure to put tasks in order from most priority to least priority. Then, follow the steps below to help you focus on tasks without interruptions:
- Select on a task and set the timer to 25 minutes
- Work on the tasks until the time is up
- After the time is up, take a short two- to five-minute break
- Continue to start a task
- Repeat the process for four times
- Take a longer break, from 15 to 30 minutes
What should be avoided?
Taking a short break is important, but it must be done correctly to be more efficient. During the short break, one should engage in unhealthy habits or snacking. For example, eating fast foods, drinking coffee, taking heavy meals, surfing the internet and watching any videos, especially those scrolling on TikTok. It is mistaken for rest, but mindlessly scrolling social media does not rest the brain. With exposure to media, the brain is constantly at work.
By following this Pomodoro technique while applying the dos and don’ts, it will transform the way you do your work. You will no longer be calling yourself a procrastinator, but a productive and focused individual. You will also find yourself more focused, less stressed, and better able to manage your time and energy.
