The Pomodoro technique. What exactly is it, and can it help you be more productive throughout the day?
You might have heard of the Pomodoro technique at your office or listened to it on a podcast, but what is it?
The Pomodoro technique is essentially a method for you to break down your time into small, time-based chunks. Ideally, you work for 25 minutes, focusing on a task. When the 25 minutes is over, you take a break for 5 minutes. You repeat this process 4 times, for which you then take a longer 15-minute break.
I don’t always stick to these rules, for example, my break times might differ, and if it coincides with lunch, then the break will be longer than 15 minutes. The aim of the Pomodoro technique is so that we aim to get as much done in a set time frame. The reason is that if we have a goal to focus on, we will work hard to achieve it. Think about it; at work, how hard do you work when you have to produce a report that has a set deadline of 1 pm, compared to a deadline of Next Monday?
Overworking is not good for us
Whilst we might think working long hours is what we need to do to be productive, it in fact can be counter-productive. According to the Harvard Business Review, overworking does not actually help us, and managers do not know the difference between someone that has worked 80 hours, compared to someone that pretended to work 80 hours.
The point here is that working for hours on end to complete a task might seem like you are getting things done, but in actual fact, taking regular breaks can be more beneficial. As discussed previously Why taking a break is important for productivity and your mind it is important to refresh your batteries. Rest is important for creative minds. If we become overly indulged in a task we can lose focus.
I am not necessarily saying the Pomodoro technique will always work for you. But, try it. As emphasised in this essay about the Pomodoro technique, the break is as important as the 25-minute scheduled time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Great for high-achievers to be more productive
- Helps you work hard to achieve a goal in a set time
- Makes taking a break important
- Is simple to setup
Cons
- Not all tasks will take 25 minutes – some will be shorter, some longer
- Requires discipline
- Not great if you are going to be interrupted a lot
