What is the Pomodoro method?

The Pomodoro method is a time management technique used for studying or completing tasks that involves breaking down work into intervals of 25 minutes called pomodoros, followed by short breaks of 2-5 minutes.

How does the Pomodoro method work?

To use the Pomodoro method, choose a task to work on, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work on the task until the timer sounds. After the timer goes off, take a 2-5 minute break and then repeat the cycle until the task is completed or after 4 cycles, take a 15-30 minute break.

What can I do during the breaks in the Pomodoro method?

During the breaks, you can do anything you like, but it's best to choose an activity that is almost opposite of what you've been doing. For example, if you've been working on a computer, take a walk outside. Doing something physical helps your brain to detach from work and recharge.

Does the Pomodoro method actually work?

Yes, the Pomodoro method can be effective in preventing boredom, managing time and making tasks more manageable. It helps people who get distracted easily and can encourage procrastinators to start tasks they have been putting off.

What are the drawbacks of using the Pomodoro method?

The drawbacks of using the Pomodoro method include the possibility of cheating the system if a task is completed early, difficulty getting back into the cycle, and the possibility of getting distracted during the break if one chooses to look at their phone. It's also important to set aside time to recap or revise topics studied during the Pomodoro cycles.

Boost Your Productivity with the Pomodoro Method

By Varsha Ravivenkatesh | 21st April, 2023

Learn how the Pomodoro Technique can help you stay productive and focused by breaking down work into manageable intervals. Discover the benefits of this simple time management method and take the first step towards enhancing your productivity and reducing stress.

Are you someone who gets easily frustrated or distracted? Or perhaps you always overwork yourself to the point of burnout. Well, as someone who easily gets distracted (the slightest thing can set me off: a notification, a random email, the sound of cars passing) because I didn’t know how to set apart breaks and studying, I resonate with you. I would blur the lines between studying too much or taking extended breaks. This would lead to me either taking too much time to complete my tasks or making me extremely exhausted. So, if you’re anything like me, you’ll love the Pomodoro method.

What Exactly Is The "Pomodoro" Method?

The Pomodoro method is a time-management technique to help complete your tasks. Every work interval is called Pomodoro which is Italian for tomato. It was coined by developer Francesco Cirillo when he used a tomato-shaped timer to help him study effectively. He wanted to find an ideal time interval for doing his tasks productively. He started studying for 5 minutes and then took a 5-minute break and realized it was too short, so he increased the time to 1 hour which distracted him too much and this went on until he finally decided on the time of 25 min of studying and a 5-minute break. This method can be used to prevent you from getting distracted easily and manage your time efficiently.

Francesco, the developer of the Pomodoro method, loved this method so much that he wrote a book about it called: "The Pomodoro Technique: The Life-Changing Time-Management System"

How Does It Work?

Choose the topic you want to study or task you want to complete
Set the timer to 25 minutes and work on the task till the timer sounds
Get back to this cycle until your task has been completed or do 4 cycles and take a 15- 30-minute break and start again until you're done with the task.
Take a small break of 2-5 minutes (Make sure it doesn’t exceed 5 minutes)

Does This Technique Actually Help?

So this method sounds nice but does it actually help you?
Well, by making studying or doing work almost into a game, the Pomodoro method ensures you don’t get bored easily. It also helps you understand how you’re using your time while working on a task. It also helps break down the overwhelmingness of a big or complicated task by breaking it down into simple time intervals. Further, this method helps procrastinators actually get started on the task because they know where their time is going and also breaks down their workload. Because of all these reasons, the Pomodoro method is an amazing time-management method.

What Do I Do During The Break?

You can do virtually anything during this break but for maximum effectiveness, choose an activity that is almost the opposite of what you’ve been doing. For example, if you’ve been filling out a workbook, move away from the book and do something like dancing to your favorite music. It is better to do something physical rather than staring at your phone during the breaks as it helps your brain actually detach itself from work and also helps you get back to the cycle easily.

Some Drawbacks of this Method:

Like many good things, the Pomodoro method also unfortunately has a few drawbacks. It could essentially make you cheat on the schedule if you complete your work early(for example if you chose a topic to work on for 25 min and you're done before the timer goes off, you'll have an extended break and it might make it difficult to get back into your schedule). It might be hard to get back into the Pomodoro cycle because let's face it: Studying is not fun. Also, if you choose to look at your phone during the break, you might forget to get back into the cycle as it can prove to be very distracting from your chosen task. Also, the Pomodoro method does not account for the time you need to recap and revise the topics you just studied which most of us forget to do by ourselves hence it might make us forget what we just studied.

So Should You Follow It?

The Pomodoro method can be used by people who find it difficult to get started on a particular task and can be used to prevent you from getting distracted easily. However, this method might not work for everyone. But quoting the song " Fall in love alone": "If we never try, How will we know?" at least just consider this method next time you have a midterm coming up. So, try the method out and hopefully it helps you manage your time better!

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