The Pomodoro Technique is perfect for splitting your study sessions into manageable chunks of time. It’s simple – select one task to work on, set a timer, work until it rings, and then take a break.
Only you can decide what time range works best for you, but generally the Pomodoro Technique requires you to work for 25 minutes on a singular task, completely uninterrupted. Once the timer rings, take three- to five-minute break. Then, complete the cycle three more times before taking a 25-30 minute break. This helps prevent burnout and keeps you focused, motivated, and on-task.
Productivity’s Power Couple: The Pomodoro Technique
The technique is simple at its core – set a timer, work until it rings, and then take a break. In return, this technique promises to improve mental focus, agility, creativity, and reduce anxiety – benefits that would appeal to most of us.
However, the Pomodoro technique promotes more than just working in blocks of time, it encourages four basic principles:
Work with time not against it – instead of dealing with the usual stress of deadlines and cramming, the Pomodoro technique teaches you keep track of your time and therefore how to use it more efficiently.
Reduce burnouts and mental fatigue – with short scheduled breaks, the Pomodoro technique gives your brain the time it needs to rejuvenate and maintain peak productivity.
Reduce time-wasting distractions – whether at work or at home, distractions can steal your precious time and attention. The Pomodoro technique stresses the importance of mono-tasking, prioritizing your obligations, and the notion that most distractions can wait until you’re ready to deal with them.
Create a better work-life balance – when you’re unproductive at work, it’s easy for your guilt to blur the line between work and play – making it difficult to enjoy your time off. However, with the Pomodoro technique you can reduce procrastination, improve your time-management, and create a better work-life balance.
HOW TO USE THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE
Now that you know the philosophy behind the technique, here’s how to use the Pomodoro method while you work.
Select one task to work on
Set a timer for 25 minutes
Work uninterrupted until the timer rings. If distracted by something else, write it down to revisit later
When the timer rings, put a check on a sheet of paper to indicate the completion of a successful Pomodoro session
If you have fewer than 4 check marks, take a 3 to 5 minute break and then go back to step one.
After every 4 Pomodoros, take a 20 to 30 minute break.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE
we love the Pomodoro technique. With its focus on mono-tasking and fight against distractions, we share many of the same core values. This is likely why we also have so many of customers tell us how they use Pomodoro technique in tandem – the power couple of productivity.
The Pomodoro technique encourages you to write down any distracting thoughts or tasks that come to mind during a session, but realistically we could all use a help staying focused. After all, self-control is a finite resource that quickly runs out if overused.
It can help by stopping the distractions before you they get to you and before your self-control and restraint is brought into question.
The buzzes, pings, emails, and notifications can wait, and with Freedom you can better fight the false sense of urgency they often create.
