Time management is something everyone struggles with from time to time. It is so easy to get distracted nowadays with all of our electronics and other sources of distraction. But, to live a life full of excellence we must do our best to limit distractions and optimize productivity. If not only to get our work done, but to also maximize the amount of free time we can spend doing what we want to do, such as spending time with loved ones.
Time is a humans most precious commodity and a lot of people don’t seem to realize it. Time is finite and it is always ticking away. Until someone finds a way to become immortal and live forever this will always be true. Our time is precious and we need to make the most of it. I am not advocating that we spend all of our time slaving away at work and I am also am not saying that we should spend all of our limited amount of time relaxing or having fun either. We must find a healthy balance. And furthermore it is helpful to optimize our work so that we can complete it in the most efficient way in order to get back to the things we truly want to do. This is where The Pomodoro Technique comes in.
The Pomodoro Technique is a book by Francesco Cirillo. It is about a technique that uses a 25 minute kitchen timer to help improve focus, task setting, and efficiency to increase overall productivity in both personal and professional life. The rules to The Pomodoro Technique are as follows:
- A Pomodoro consists of 25 minutes plus a 5-minute break
- After every 4 Pomodoros, you take a 15-30-minute break
- Pomodoro’s are indivisible
- If a Pomodoro begins it must ring
- If a Pomodoro is interrupted, it is void
- If you complete an activity during a Pomodoro review your work until the timer rings
- Protect your Pomodoro, (try to minimize interruptions)
- If a task would take more than 5 to 7 Pomodoro’s break it down into smaller tasks
- If it would take less than 1 Pomodoro add tasks together
- Results are achieved Pomodoro after Pomodoro
- The timetable always overrides the Pomodoro (if it hits scheduled lunchtime in the middle of a Pomodoro, stop and go to lunch)
- The next Pomodoro will go better
Now what this would all look like, to put it simply. Make a list of things to do for the day or projects you’re working on. Put things in order of importance. Estimate how long each task will take. Sit down start your ticking kitchen timer and get to work. Work for a full Pomodoro, when it rings take a break. Continue this until you finish everything or are done for the day. Take breaks when warranted. At the end of the day look at your estimates and how much work you did then try to find ways to optimize your productivity either by eliminating distractions or finding better ways to complete certain tasks. You should get better at doing this with time and better at estimating how long each task will take. Aim for 4-12 Pomodoros a day. Your productivity will skyrocket!
I have started doing this and I have found that it has helped me to focus a lot and get more done. I am quite flexible with the rules though, which probably isn’t the best, but oh well. Try this yourself and lets get it done!