Summary
- A Detailed Guide about Pomodoro Technique Pomodoro technique study
- Pomodoro technique does it work
- Pomodoro technique benefits
A Detailed Guide About Pomodoro Technique
You can run, you can hide, but no matter where you are on the planet you are bound by time. Time is non-judgmental and holds everyone equal. It’s 24 hours a day for anyone and not a picosecond more.
Yet some seem to have all the time in the world and some none of it. Time is our most precious asset and efficient time management is the key to success.
Successful and productive people have as many hours in a day as anyone else but they seem to have a superhuman ability for time manipulation. Truth is, all know about time management but only a few apply it to reach success.
However, there are tactics that one can apply to make their day more productive. One such method is known as the Pomodoro Technique and this article is a detailed guide about pomodoro technique.
The Pomodoro technique may be defined as a time management technique through a cycle of long periods of work with short breaks in between.
It is a method where one focuses on a task for 25 minutes and then takes a short break of 3-5 minutes. The same is repeated 4 times before taking a longer break.
The Pomodoro technique is pretty straightforward. Pomodoro technique history goes back to 1987 when Francesco Cirillo conceptualized it as a university student.
The technique involved setting up a timer for 25 minutes and focusing on a particular task until the timer rings. Such a session would be a Pomodoro session.
Pomodoro Technique Study
The Pomodoro technique was designed for study by a student in Italy. Francesco was preparing for an upcoming university exam and he used the method to finish a chapter of a sociology book.
But this technique is not limited only to studying and is used by all including CEOs, writers, workers, researchers, and more.
The Pomodoro technique can be explained as a time management technique that overcomes distractions to achieve goals. It is used worldwide to deter distractions and achieve concentration on a specific task.
Pomodoro technique study is a book for students. To make the Pomodoro technique work you’ll need a Pomodoro timer.
It’s a tomato-shaped timer for 25 minutes and is available on free and paid options. However, using a physical Pomodoro timer is recommended.
Pomodoro Technique Does It Work
It is worth noting that despite the Pomodoro study method popularity, very little research has been conducted regarding its effectiveness.
Yet, the technique’s time-blocking approach has been demonstrated to work. It uses frequent short pauses which helps in focusing on job completion with very few interruptions.
Traditionally in the Pomodoro technique, a student will study for 25 minutes followed by a 3-5 minutes break. Post 3-4 repetitions of the technique, a longer break of 15-20 minutes is taken. Then the cycle is again repeated.
The major advantage of the Pomodoro study method is that the short regular breaks assist in keeping the mind focused.
It also reduces loss of control over one’s thoughts thereby eliminating distractions. Besides, tracking one’s tasks daily improves productivity and self-awareness.
7 Steps to Using the Pomodoro Study Method
1. Create a Daily To-Do List
Before starting your study session, jot down all the tasks you want to accomplish on a sheet. Arrange them priority-based. This will help you in keeping focus as well as keep check on how much time was spent on each activity.
2. Set Pomodoro Timer
First, eliminate all possible distractions before starting the Pomodoro session. Interruptions are inversely proportional to a successful Pomodoro study session.
Put that smartphone on silent or airplane mode. Choose your task, set the timer to 25 minutes, and honestly start studying.
3. Start the First Task
Once the timer’s set, you get to work. Ideally, you already know what the task is and how to approach it. 25 minutes may look short, but initially, it’ll be hard to focus for that long.
Losing focus is a no-no in the Pomodoro study technique. It may seem you’ve studied for 30 minutes and get shocked to see the timer still ticking on the 17minute.
It may seem long and severe but the satisfaction of the completion of the task after 25 minutes is worth the journey. You just became productive.
4. Finish the Task when The Timer Rings
You stop when the timer rings. Mark a cross against the completed task in the To-do list if you haven’t achieved the set goal, don’t get disheartened.
Just start overall again. Remember, if you think there’s no one watching and you can chat, then you’re only cheating on yourself. Initially, 25 minutes period will look long and difficult but eventually, your brain gets used to the tactic.
5. Note Any Interruptions
Note any interruptions that occurred during your study session. Either note it down on the To-do list and get back to the task on hand or make a note once the timer has rung. Distractions are inevitable but can be reduced.
One can’t let distractions ruin a study session. Remember, a Pomodoro study session lasts for 25 minutes, and stopping before the time is over would make the session null and void.
6. 5-Minute Break
Take a break, maybe eat a KitKat. Relax and avoid doing any mentally straining tasks. Especially do not think about the topic you are studying.
The aim is to relax if not, you will experience burnout within a few Pomodoro sessions. So stand up, walk around, drink some water or take that pee break.
7. 15-30 Minutes Break Post 4 Pomodoro Sessions
In his book, Francesco recommends a 15-30 minutes break after completing 4 Pomodoro study sessions with 4 five-minute breaks.
This is the break where you have a light snack, go and sit in the sun because you have a cold, or do a little bit of exercise to get the blood pumping.
Remember not to think about the topics you’ve just studied. The relaxing break insists that you relax. Post the relaxing break, you re-start the next Pomodoro study cycle for step 2.
Pomodoro Technique Benefits
There are several benefits to the Pomodoro technique. This time-blocking time management tactic can be used by anybody to become productive. It is as effective in studies as it is at any other work. Here are 5 Pomodoro technique benefits
1. Builds Focus
One of the biggest benefits of the Pomodoro technique is that it improves focus. Distractions can pull your attention in all directions.
But in this time management method, you concentrate on a single task for a dedicated amount of time and reach goals.
2. Makes You Organized
If you are not organized, then you will hobble in-between tasks until the end of the day. This is detrimental to reaching long-term goals.
Nevertheless, setting aside a few Pomodoro sessions every day can go a long way to reaching your short-term and also long-term goals.
3. No Multitasking or Distractions
The short 25 minutes window keeps you away from multitasking and distractions. In time you will develop the ability to choose the right task for each session.
4. Tracked Progress
Generally, people do not keep track of how they spend their time. An entire day can pass by with nonstop work but ordinary results.
But by creating a To-do list in the Pomodoro technique, you will keep track of your tasks as well as the time spent on each task.
5. Primacy and Recency Effect
Our brain likes to remember the first and the last thing on a list. Applying that to a learning method improves its efficiency by a lot.
In the Pomodoro study session, we take regular short breaks, and this, in turn, creates a primacy and recency effect. This can help in better information retention.
6. Reduces Mental and Physical Fatigue
Since Pomodoro study sessions occur with regular breaks, it naturally reduces mental and physical fatigue. A little breathing exercise during the 5-minute break will help the mind and body.
Besides, noting how efficiently you have utilized the session will only boost your confidence in the technique and yourself.
7. Fights Procrastination
When you apply the Pomodoro technique of learning, you start with the removal of distractions and sticking earnestly to the to-do list and the timetable.
This eliminates the cause for procrastination for once you start a session you’ll be compelled to follow through it till the end.
Conclusion
Time is money and Elon Musk knows how to use his time well, therefore he’s rich. Time is equally available for everyone on earth but only the successful use it well.
If you are aiming to become productive and thereby find success in your life, then this Detailed Guide about Pomodoro Technique is your Gandalf.
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