Table of contents:
- What is the Pomodoro technique?
- How to do the Pomodro technique?
- How can this technique work?
- What are the goals of doing the Pomodoro technique?
- What if I stay distracted by the environment?
Time is very valuable, but sometimes we don't know what to spend it on. When morning comes, you rush to the place where you started your activity, don't feel the day coming, then suddenly you are just in bed again at night. Sometimes we feel 24 hours is still lacking, you need more time to complete your goals. If so, who is to blame, time or yourself?
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The key to all tasks and activities going well is your timing. If you are able to increase productivity, of course everything can be done well. The problem is, we often feel distracted by several things, for example by gadgets. For a long time staring at gadgets that make us forget ourselves to return to activities. Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique? Hmm, the name does sound familiar, doesn't it? But make no mistake, he said with this technique, you can increase productivity. Want to know more?
What is the Pomodoro technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management philosophy in which those of us who do it must focus maximally within the time frame provided. The benefits offered are in the form of fresh creativity and you are able to complete tasks faster, besides that the feeling of mental fatigue is not too severe. Wow, it's a bit complicated, huh? Look, so you'll be getting the task done in no time. During this time, you are asked to stay focused.
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This technique was invented by Francesco Cirillo in the early 90's. This system was inspired by how to cut tomatoes when he was a student. The method is quite easy, when you are faced with a difficult task, divide the task into short intervals. To make it easier for you to digest how this technique works, here is an explanation.
How to do the Pomodro technique?
Here is the technique:
- Choose the task that you want to complete.
- You have to do one task in 25 minutes, just try to focus on the task you are doing.
- Not that 1 assignment for 25 minutes. To make it easier, divide a task into sections that should be done for 25 minutes each.
- Take a break for 5 minutes. During this time, you can do any kind of distraction, like checking social media. But remember, only 5 minutes.
- Then, you start working on the assignment again for the next 25 minutes.
- When you have worked on the task for 100 minutes (four separate 25 minutes), then you can rest longer, which is about 15 to 20 minutes.
If you can successfully focus on a task in 25 minutes, then put an 'X' on your to-do note. Recognize any time you were distracted. This will be your evaluation material in choosing to do the assignment.
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How can this technique work?
The key to the success of this technique is high focus. The challenge is that you may find it quite difficult to practice this technique on a daily basis. For example, you will still get distraction via work email, coworkers, school friends, calls from family, and so on. When you get that distraction, you have to stop and then start over.
This technique offers productivity, because taking breaks between tasks can keep your mind focused and fresh. However, you may not immediately succeed in applying this technique the first time you do it. It may take about 7 to 20 days for it to work. As we know, sometimes we forget ourselves when we are distracted by something else.
You should use this 5-minute break to grab a drink or walk around the room. This technique is great for those who have to-do-list (to-do-list) lots, seeing the time running out, will increase your focus on completing the task. Constantly targeting time can keep you from procrastinating.
Keep in mind, not everyone is suitable for using this technique. There are those who like the division of tasks with a certain target time, there are also those who do not like hearing the time alarm goes off every 25 minutes. Technique is a bit stressful.
What are the goals of doing the Pomodoro technique?
As explained above, this technique helps you to increase your productivity by:
- Keeps you away from distraction
- Increase awareness when making decisions
- Increase motivation
- Help define your goals to reach the target
- Change the work or study process
- Reinforce your goals in complex situations
- Avoid multitasking
What if I stay distracted by the environment?
Cirilli was quoted from the Lifehacker website, revealing several ways you can do when there is distraction from the outside, such as:
- Information: tell the "interrupter" that you need to do something over the next few minutes
- Negotiation: make agreements with the parties involved, when is the right time to interrupt you
- Schedule: create a schedule for when you should respond back to the party
- Call back: You can respond by calling back when your task is done using the Pomodoro technique.