The Pomodoro Technique: Work with time, not against it
I will be the first to admit that I am horrible with time-management. With two small children who require my [almost] constant attention, a boyfriend with whom I enjoy binge-watching shows on Netflix, a house that requires attention, and a full load of courses with classwork that asks for my undivided attention, I often find that my mind never stays focused on one task at a time. One task will take up the entirety of my night, and everything else - sometimes including my schoolwork - will get neglected.
Like I said, I'm horrible with time-management.
In an attempt to find an effective way to keep my attention focused on one task at a time, I stumbled upon a method that I had never heard of before: the Pomodoro Technique. I've only given this a handful of tries since discovering it, but those times that I tried I found that it works extremely well. The main goals of the Pomodoro Technique are to eliminate the potential for burnout, to allow you to manage your distractions, and to help you create a better balance of work and personal life - just the description alone is a Godsend. Even better, this method isn't extremely complex; it's nothing more than six basic steps.
The website provides an extended explanation of the method's steps, but I've outlined them for you in the box to your right. The website also provides great information on ways to spend the quick five minute breaks and it gives viewers the ability to purchase the books on the method and the unique pomodoro timer. I didn't purchase the timer; I just set a timer on my iPhone for twenty-five minutes and completed the study sessions that way. Same effect and it saved me money!
I urge you to give it a try!
1. Choose a task that requires your undivided attention
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes
3. Work on that one task until your timer goes off
4. When the timer goes off, stop working
5. Take a short break --> 5 minutes
6. After four sessions, take a longer break --> 20-30 minutes
Official pomodoro timer
The Pomodoro Technique (according to founder Francesco Cirillo)
In his book The Pomodoro Technique, Francesco Cirillo explains how he came up with the idea for this method. He explains that the idea came to him "in the late '80s, during [his] first years at university" when he found himself "in a slump, a time of low productivity and high confusion". He observed his classmates and critically observed himself, the way he organized himself and the way he studied. He writes that "It was clear to me that the high number of distractions and interruptions and the low level of concentration and motivation were at the root of the confusion I was feeling."
So what does he do? He challenges himself. He makes a bet with himself. He says that he "neede object validation" so he found a kicken timer that was shaped like a tomato, and thus he found his Pomodoro. Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato so this is, literally, the Tomato Technique (Ha!).