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What does a tomato have to do with time management and productivity? The Pomodoro Technique (pomodoro means tomato in Italian) was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s and has since grown to be a tried and true method for managing time and improving focus and productivity.
Cirillo found that the simple act of setting a timer (in his case one shaped like a tomato) and concentrating on one task for 25 minutes, followed by a short break, enhanced his attention span and trained his brain to concentrate more effectively.
The recent pandemic has challenged many of us with distractions we’ve never faced in a traditional office, and the Pomodoro Technique may just be the answer. Heralded by the New York Times and Harvard Business Review as a simple way to improve productivity and decrease procrastination, the pomodoro technique has continued to evolve.
The Pomodoro Technique is a deceptively simple approach to making the best use of your valuable and limited time. By following the steps below, you can fight procrastination, learn more about how long tasks really take, decrease mental and physical fatigue, and generally become more productive.
Regardless of the size or complexity of the task, the Pomodoro Technique can help you tackle it. Broken down into increments, tasks become less daunting.
Whether you use a stopwatch app or a quirky timer, set it for 25 minutes and start working. If you find your mind wandering, stop and re-focus on the task. It is critical that you turn off all devices and notifications - anything that might interrupt your focus.
If you think of something else that absolutely needs attention while you're working, write it down and keep going (there are very few things that can’t be postponed for 25 minutes!).
Give yourself a checkmark for having completed 1 ‘pomodoro’
You did it! In the beginning, you may find that you need to continually bring your wandering thoughts back to the task. Eventually, it will become easier to stay focused for the entire 25 minutes (otherwise known as one ‘pomodoro’). Promise.
Even if you feel like you’re ‘on a roll’ or ‘in the zone’, it is very important that you stop for 5 minutes when the timer goes off. Grab a snack, take a bio break, dance around your living room, meditate, or play with the dog - anything to switch off your work brain and relax.
Congratulations - you’ve earned a respite! Step away from your work for 20 - 30 minutes and give your brain the break it deserves.
Sounds almost too easy, right? Well, you have nothing to lose so why not give it a try? All you really need to get started is a timer or app, pen and notepad. Oh, and a desire to do more in less time.
Watch this informative video for some great tips and tricks on how to stop procrastinating and start producing.
Life. Career. Opportunity Awaits. If you have any questions, are considering a change, or just want to chat, we would love to hear from you.
At Urban Legal Recruitment, we have experienced, along with our clients, the impacts of COVID-19. We’ve made the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of our team members and our clients.
