The Pomodoro Technique: What it is and why we are fans

When it comes to time management, many of us struggle. We end up taking up more time than planned, working on projects, overestimate timings or get distracted by meetings and other things that pop up. Even more hours in the day wouldn’t help if time isn’t spent wisely. What we end up with is unnecessary stress. Time management is essential to help not only avoid stress but to help create a productive workplace that sees more work get done successfully than ever before. Time management may sound easier said than done, but there are techniques to help implement it into your work days. The Pomodoro Technique is one of those ways and one that we at Matter Solutions love.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is proven to be effective in time management, changing the way you approach tasks to make for easier work days ahead. It was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. The idea is to use a timer to set yourself intervals, usually at 25 minutes each, with short breaks in between. The name Pomodoro comes from the tomato-shaped Pomodoro kitchen timer that Cirillo used in university.

How This Technique Helps with Time Management
The Pomodoro Technique is a completely unique approach to time management. Instead of working against the clock, it gives you the skills to work with the time you have. The working intervals with short breaks are designed to discourage burnout, which can undermine productivity. When distractions come along during the working intervals, you simply log them and will address them in order of importance during a break.

You will never push yourself so hard that you feel stressed about time. Many benefit from a better work/life balance with the Pomodoro Technique and have described it as “life-changing”.

The Pomodoro Technique in Steps
There are six steps involved in the Pomodoro Technique:

1. Choose a task that you want to complete. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is.

2. Set your timer for 25 minutes. Dedicate yourself to these 25 minutes. It’s not a long amount of time – you can do it!

3. Get into your project for these 25 minutes. This includes reading up on the project and preparing yourself for greater work. Be aware that this isn’t a race, and you are not meant to finish in this amount of time, but you are to dedicate these minutes to working away.

4. Give yourself a pat on the back when the timer rings! Cirillo suggests putting a checkmark on your paper to mark where you are and see how far you have got in those 25 minutes.

5. Take a break. Do something that isn’t related to work away from your desk. You could have a short walk in some fresh air, grab a drink or indulge in a snack.

6. After you have used the timer four times for a total of 100 working minutes, then give yourself a longer break. 20-30 minutes is a good start.

Who Uses the Pomodoro Technique?
The time management technique is great for anybody, but if you’re a student who is struggling with studying and procrastination, this is worth a try. Teachers also find it useful implementing into their classrooms to help maximise learning. Managers, writers, lawyers, and developers also find it useful to eliminate the stress of multitasking and decrease the effects of procrastination.

Desirable Results
The Pomodoro Technique resets your brain, so you can take in information better. You won’t suffer from burnout, and things will get done! That is why we are such a fan of this brilliant technique and encourage people of all professions who are struggling with time management to try.