The Pomodoro Technique: Is It Effective?

"Dreading the doing of the task takes up more time and energy than doing the task itself "- Rita Emmett

Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique?

It's a time management method developed as far back as the 1980s. It uses a kitchen timer to break work into intervals, typically 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato. For the technique, a Pomodoro is an interval of work time.

The technique aims to minimize the impact of internal and external interruptions on concentration and productivity. A Pomodoro session should not be interrupted; if it is, either the other task should be noted and postponed using the "inform – negotiate – schedule – call back" strategy, or the Pomodoro session should be stopped.

Usually after completing a "Pomodoro session", you are to:

- Review the work you just completed (optional).

- Reflect on the activities from a learning perspective. For example, think about what learning objectives and outcomes you achieved and whether you fulfilled your learning target for the task.

- Review the list of upcoming tasks for your next planned Pomodoro sessions and start reflecting on or updating them.

"Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible."- George Claude

Why Does This Work?

A little more complicated but just as engaging is the answer to this question!

This technique changes the way we use our time, boosting our focus on work. Two key factors contribute to its success: control and success.

Just Get Started

The Pomodoro technique works simply because you choose to get started. Getting started becomes easier by taking small steps. According to Tim Pychyl, a professor in Carleton University’s Psychology Department and author of Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being, our tendency to procrastinate is linked to how we handle negative emotions.

When faced with a daunting task, such as starting a new project, it can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination as other activities seem more appealing. This happens because we tend to avoid dealing with problems that we find challenging. To break this cycle of avoidance, shrink the task at hand to a small, manageable first step. For instance, instead of aiming to write an entire novel in one go, start by writing a single chapter. If that still feels overwhelming, try writing for just ten minutes. Breaking down tasks aligns with the Pomodoro technique, which encourages breaking projects or goals into smaller, 25-minute tasks.

This approach helps maintain motivation and focus on the immediate next step, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. The key is to focus on completing one Pomodoro at a time without worrying about the result.

Distraction? Oh Please!

Dealing with distractions can be challenging in today's world. The constant flow of emails, team chats, and social media notifications demands a lot of our attention. Getting interrupted while in a focused state can make it hard to regain your concentration.

As noted by Gloria Mark, a Professor of Informatics at the University of California with a PhD in psychology from Columbia University, about half of all workday distractions are self-inflicted. This means that we often pull ourselves out of focus.

We often justify these distractions with thoughts like, "Maybe I should work on this other task instead," "Taking a break now seems like a good idea," "I’ll just check this email real quick," "I need to reply to that one friend I left on read," or "I’m in the mood for some boba tea right now, I should go get it." These small interruptions can really add up! It's not just the time lost on distractions; it also takes energy to refocus your attention. After switching gears, our minds can linger over the previous task for over 20 minutes until we regain full concentration. Indulging the impulse to check TikTok "just for a minute" can turn into 20 minutes trying to get back on task.

The Pomodoro Technique is an effective way to resist these self-interruptions and retrain your brain to focus. Each Pomodoro is dedicated to one task, and each break is a chance to reset and bring your attention back to what you should be working on.

Gamification Of Productivity

The Pomodoro technique gamifies your productivity by providing an opportunity to improve in every session. It focuses on consistency rather than perfection, with each session being a fresh start. To make the system work for you, you need to:

- Reevaluate your goals

- Challenge yourself to focus

- Limit distractions

- Track your progress

- Achieve your goals

- Enjoy rewards such as short breaks

You can gamify your productivity further by setting a goal to add an extra Pomodoro each day, motivating you to build on your success. Additionally, you can challenge yourself to finish a big task within a specific number of pomodoros and set a goal number of pomodoros for each day without breaking the chain. Thinking in tomatoes rather than hours can make productivity more enjoyable.

How Can I Apply This Technique?

The premise involves a few simple steps:

1. Choose the first task, preferably the one you least want to do.

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.

3. Dedicate this time solely to the task, limiting distractions.

4. When the timer stops, mark a check on a piece of paper.

5. Take a short break, no longer than 5 minutes, until you've marked the fourth check, then repeat step 2.

6. After four checks (or four Pomodoro techniques), take a longer break, typically 15-30 minutes.

Also, setting a timer and working against it naturally pushes a person to achieve as much as possible during that time. It also helps to manage distractions effectively.

Conclusion

The Pomodoro method is like having a superpower to finally tackle your to-do list without the guilt and anxiety. Rather than "pushing through" and overworking yourself to exhaustion, take short breaks to keep your mind alert. If you think this tomato method is too simple and doesn’t make a difference, run a little experiment and try it for a week! It may be one of the simplest productivity methods, but that doesn’t make it easy. Remember, humans are fallible.

The good news is, if you stick to the Pomodoro Technique long enough, you’ll train your self-discipline and feel the smug satisfaction of a day not only well planned but also well executed.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this, so please share them in the comment section below!