Pomodoro Technique

Sometimes studying does not seem easy, but it is easier than it seems. Organizing study time and the activities you must do is a good way to start managing your time better and increasing productivity. Here we show you an easy and very useful technique for you to apply in your day-to-day.

Techniques and tips Sep 22, 2021 0 1214 Add to Reading List

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, in order to improve the management of time spent on an activity by dividing it into smaller pieces. This technique will allow you to know the real-time it takes you to perform each task, becoming more aware of how you spend your time. It is a great way to increase your productivity since studying intensively and without distractions makes study time much more effective. In addition, taking short breaks every so often makes you focus more on what you are doing during high activity time, increasing your performance.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

To carry out this technique you must use a timer to divide the time into indivisible intervals of 25 minutes of activity, called pomodoros, followed by 5 minutes of rest, with longer 30-minute breaks every four pomodoros.

Steps of the Pomodoro Technique

1. Make a list of tasks for the day and choose an activity to do.

2. Set the timer for 25 minutes.

3. Work on the task intensively until the timer goes off. One of the goals of the technique is to eliminate interruptions, both due to yourself and someone else (you can quickly write them down to address them later). A pomodoro cannot be paused or split; if the interruption cannot be postponed, the pomodoro is canceled and then restarted.

4. Mark the completed task on your list. Recording compliance would equate to a goal accomplished, creating a feeling of accomplishment. In addition, it serves as a database, on which a reflection is later made to improve.

5. Take a 5-minute break. These breaks are for the purpose of distraction and help make work sustainable. The feeling of satisfaction of having finished or advanced successfully without distractions will motivate us to continue and increase our productivity.

6. After the break, repeat the previous steps. After four pomodoros, take a longer break of 20 to 30 minutes. This will help you disconnect from the task you were doing and allow you to clear your mind. Take advantage of this break to go for a walk, have a coffee or chat with a friend. You must rest to be able to give your maximum performance when you sit down again.

Steps and times of the Pomodoro Technique.

Putting the Pomodoro Technique into practice is not difficult, you will only need a little time to settle down and break the habits. Like any other technique, it is adaptable to people and you can modify it according to your needs to get used to it. If the 25-minute period seems too long or short depending on your endurance capacity or what tasks you have to perform, you can try with periods of 10 or 30 minutes. Also, you can try to modify the rest times; try different pauses, until you find the one that best suits you.

Advantages of the Pomodoro Technique

-Improve your productivity.

-Helps you start work.

-Prevents multitasking, making you focused on 100% activity.

-Encourages concentration, since you have 25 minutes ahead and a task to do.

-Helps you organize and learn to prioritize.

-Forces you to take breaks.

-Many times it is necessary to move away from what we are doing for a moment to find the solution to a problem. That instant is every break after completing a pomodoro.

-You become aware of the time you dedicate to each subject or task.

-It makes it easier to divide tasks into blocks or fragments.

-It is used to set a time limit on those tasks that are unnecessarily long without considerably improving the result.