While the Pomodoro Technique was designed to simply time management, it doesn’t work unless you’re willing to commit to the system. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the technique:
Obey the Timer: Always stop when the buzzer rings to let you know that it’s time for a break. If you don’t stop work immediately and take your full break, you’re giving yourself a handy excuse for fudging during the next Pomodoro by rationalizing that since you worked “over” one time period, you can interrupt your next pomodoro with unnecessary tasks or daydreaming.
Timing Isn’t Everything: While working in 25-minute bursts is a crucial part of this system, keeping your to-do and activity lists is also important. If you don’t prioritize your work, you may find that you are working all day but not getting truly necessary tasks accomplished.
Get a Noisy Timer: A timer that makes noise lets you know when to end, and begin, work and you don’t have to bother looking at it all the time. This is particularly important if you leave your desk or work area during breaks, as you’ll probably need the sound of the timer to let you know that it’s time to get out of the kitchen and back to work.
Track Interruptions: One reason why the Pomodoro Technique, properly done, works so well is that it demands accountability. When you get interrupted, or are tempted to interrupt your work to do something, mark the interruption or temptation on your activity sheet. In some cases you’ll need to add the interruption to your to-do list. In other cases, you’ll need to fight off the temptation to engage the interruption.
Leave a Reply