Productivity can elude us all at times. And when you’re balancing work, family, life and study – finding time to get through to-do lists is easier said than done.
So how do you make the most of your time when you don’t even have half an hour?
One way is with the Pomodoro Technique. This notorious time management method encourages working in small bursts to stay focussed and ultimately, improve productivity in 25 minutes.
Here’s how it works.
1. Select your task
Preparation is key. Whether you want to re-arrange your desk, edit an essay or research a specific project or assessment, make sure the task you want to complete is clearly outlined.
2. Set your timer
Next, set a timer to 25 minutes. You can download a Pomodoro App, use this desktop Tomato Timer or get familiar with your phone’s stop watch function. The most important thing is to make sure you’ll receive an alert when 25 minutes is over.
3. Begin work
This 25 minute work period is called a ‘Pomodoro’. When you start your timer, focus on making as much progress as possible in your 25 minute block. Working in this way helps to complete projects quickly without overthinking them.
4. Take a five minute break
Breaks are vital, so when the timer runs out, take five. Get up from your desk, take a quick walk or grab a glass of water – anything to mix up the rhythm so you can come back fresh for your next Pomodoro.
5. Begin again
After five minutes set your timer and begin your next Pomodoro, repeating steps 3 and 4. Your aim should be to complete four Pomodoros in a row before taking a longer, 20 minute break.
Every time you finish a Pomodoro, mark your progress with an “X”. Challenge yourself to stay focused within your Pomodoros and you’ll start to see just how productive you can be in a short amount of time. Ready, GO!
