The Pomodoro Technique: Get More Done in a Shorter Amount of Time

If you're anything like me, then you know how difficult it is to stay on task with all the distractions that we have on a daily basis.

Minor little interruptions can knock me out of focus and cause tasks to be late and projects to get clogged up in the pipeline.

Tasks that I really enjoy are generally easy for me to focus on and complete, and the tasks that don't spark my interest are a struggle to complete. In the working environment, however, we are constantly tasked with things we absolutely wish that we didn't have to do but are essential to our job functions.

This is where the Pomodoro Technique helps me stay on task, even when I don’t want to do it in the first place.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.

These intervals are named pomodoros, plural of the Italian word pomodoro (tomato), after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student.

Is the Pomodoro Technique Effective?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have – rather than against it.

Using this method, you break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. After about four pomodoros, you take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes.

Over the years, I've learned that working short 20-minute bursts helps my productivity and allows me to get things done quicker and in a focused format. Having short time chunks makes it easier to stay on task and decreases distractions.

As a perfectionist, I've learned that perfect is not as good as done. So, it's essential to develop good time management habits that make working easier and more effective.

3 Benefits of the Pomodoro Technique

1. You’ll (Hopefully) Get More Accomplished in a Day.

I've come up with a modified Pomodoro Technique that allows me to get more done in a short amount of time while staying focused. I’ve altered my technique to allow 20 minutes on a task, then take a 2 minute break, then I work on another task for 20 minutes. Rinse and repeat.  

Using the Pomodoro Technique alone won't instantly make you more productive unless you use it every day and make it a regular part of your day. Using the Pomodoro Technique makes completing tasks simple and gamifies completing tasks in a way that makes you feel like you're getting a rewarded at the end each task when you take you break.

2. It Can Be Applied to Almost Anything.

The Pomodoro Technique can be used in so many different areas of your life, from cleaning your house and washing dishes to shopping at the grocery store. Once you get in the hang of actually putting it into practice every day, you will then see the benefits it provides.

Not only is the Pomodoro Technique one of the most productive time management solutions, but it's also helps you stay on track of reminders, repeat notes, and anything else you want to track.

3. Different Apps Are Available to Help You Apply the Technique Into Your Workday.

There are so many different applications that make it easy to apply the Pomodoro Technique. You may have to do some experimenting to find which app works best for you.

Right now, I'm using Pomotodo app along with Jira cloud. Bluleadz uses Jira and the Agile system to keep track of our weekly “sprints” – or, how much we committed to completing for the entire week.

Pomotodo makes using the Agile framework a breeze. Pomotodo and Jira connect together seamlessly, so all of my tasks from Jira are imported into Pomotodo and help keep me on track when completing tasks.

So, the next time you are struggling to get tasks completed at work, head to the timer app on your phone and give the Pomodoro Technique a whirl. With short 25-minute increments of hard, focused working, you might just get a lot more done than you think.