We’re All Victims of Procrastination
Ah, procrastination. The arch-enemy of productivity and the biggest thief of time. We all fall victim to it daily. It’s almost inevitable! Heck, you’re most probably procrastinating right now by reading this article! Don’t feel guilty yet though, as I’m about to introduce you to the Pomodoro technique that can potentially put an end to your procrastination!
The Pomodoro, Sliced and Diced!
The Pomodoro technique is a simple time management technique that generally reduces procrastination and increases your productivity. It was developed in the 1980s by the Italian Francesco Cirillo. It’s called “Pomodoro”, which is Italian for tomato, after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer he used while developing the technique.
In a nutshell, the Pomodoro technique is all about breaking down your tasks ideally into 25-minute working intervals, called “pomodoros”. Then after each “pomodoro” you take a short 5-minute break and after 4 consecutive “pomodoros” you take a long 20 to 30-minute break. And repeat.
Now, based on scientific research, the following 2 points are the cornerstone to why this technique is considered effective:
- Sense of Urgency
The Pomodoro timer instills the sense of urgency. You are usually compelled to complete a task at hand when faced with a deadline, even if it’s imaginary. You know you only have 25 minutes to make as much progress on a task as possible, rather than feeling like you have endless time to get tasks done. - Forced Breaks
The average human brain’s attention span is relatively short. You can focus on a task anywhere between 10-120 minutes before needing to rest. Forcing yourself to remain focused all day long actually kills your productivity, whereas frequent short breaks keep your mind fresh and focused.
Pomodoros with a Little Bit of Your Favorite Dressing on Top
Cirillo recommends working in 25-minute intervals using a classic tomato-shaped kitchen timer, but you really don’t have to stick to that. You may wish to experiment with different intervals and timers as well.
I personally discovered the Pomodoro technique a couple of years ago when I was going through college. It took me a while though to find my interval “sweet spot” or “favorite dressing” for the sake of cheesiness.
For me, 50-minute pomodoros with 10-minute short breaks and 60-minute long breaks are what fit me best! As for my choice of timer, I practically use an Android app called Clockwork Tomato instead.
But Not Everyone Likes Pomodoros After All!
While a lot of people praise the Pomodoro technique, some criticize it for being a major productivity kill! Ironic, isn’t it? Actually, some people find regular short breaks to be too distracting, especially if they come at times when inspiration is flowing. It can also be difficult to adhere to a disciplined schedule of pomodoros for those who work in a fast-paced environment or experience frequent interruptions from colleagues or customers.
That being said, this technique may not be suitable for everyone or all work environments after all. But if you ever need a systematic way to tackle your daily to-do list, the Pomodoro technique may fit your needs!
