POMODORO TECHNIQUE – A BEGINNER’S GUiDE

Table of Contents
About the author .............................................................................. 3
Introduction ...................................................................................... 4
What is the Pomodoro technique? .................................................. 5
Important tips for implementing the method ................................ 11
Advantages of the Pomodoro Technique ..................................... 13
Frequently asked questions about the Pomodoro technique...... 15
Conclusion ..................................................................................... 19

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About the author

Maxim Dsouza a self-improvement,
productivity, and time management
enthusiast. He spends every day of his life
trying to find better ways to do things. Many
of my experiments fail and some of them
succeed.

He loves to share what works for him and

what hasn’t on his blog, Productive Club.
His resources are practical and actionable.
You can access them for free here.

On this blog, he shares his thoughts, ideas and tips on:

• Goal Clarity
• Productivity
• Time Management
• Decision Making

He is the author of the book, the Magic of 2 Seconds. Your mind can do
amazing things in 2 seconds. This book is all about learning how to
become self aware by improving your decisions and avoiding mistakes in
less than a couple of seconds.

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Introduction
The Pomodoro technique is a time management methodology where you
work for 25 minutes followed by a short 3-5 minute break. You repeat the
same cycle 4 times and take a longer break.

Today, we have more work to do than time on our hands. People often
spend long hours and complete the work just before the deadline.

In today’s busy world, the Pomodoro technique is one of the well known
time management methods for productivity.

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What is the Pomodoro technique?

The Pomodoro technique involves working on a task for 25 minutes,
followed by a short 5-minute break before picking up the next task to
repeat the cycle. In theory, the method follows a straightforward approach.

If you break the whole process stepwise, here is how the flow looks like:

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Step 1: Choose the task you need to work on

To begin with, you must choose what you have to work on. You must pick a
single task because it helps avoid distractions and multitasking.

Feel free to pick a long term goal you’ve been postponing or an urgent task
waiting for your action.

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Step 2: Set a timer for 25 minutes

You need a timer to tell you when the slot is over. You can use an online
stopwatch, your phone alarm, or a physical timer to notify you.

Don’t worry if the task you’re targeting needs more time. You do not have
to complete the entire job in a single slot.

Useful resources for this step:

• 10 of the best Pomodoro apps

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Step 3: Work on the task until the timer beeps

You must put all your energy and attention on the task at hand for those 25
minutes. While you’re on it, you must stay away from distractions like
answering calls, responding to text messages, or striking a conversation
with people around

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Step 4: Take a short break when the Pomodoro is

complete

When the timer beeps, you’ve completed one Pomodoro. Take a short
break of 3-5 minutes to relax by taking a walk, drinking water, checking
your phone, etc. Do not use the time to get more work done because your
brain needs breathing space.

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Step 5: Repeat these steps 4 times

Follow the same pattern of 25 minutes of work followed by a short break.

You can pick a new task for every Pomodoro or resume where you stopped
at the end of the last slot.

Once you finish 4 such cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

And of course, do not forget to pump your fist for the job well done.

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Important tips for implementing the method

When you’re new to the technique, you’ll feel the urge to stir things up. But
wait until you get the hang of it.

Here are 5 pointers/mistakes that you need to know:

1. Don’t skip breaks

The technique suggests you take a short break after each focused session.
While you might want to continue working, resist the urge to do so.

Taking a timeout helps your brain relax, assimilate information, and prepare
for the next slot.

2. Make an effort to avoid distractions

The technique was invented to help you maintain focus on the task at
hand. If you peek into your Instagram newsfeed often or open Amazon to
find a random thing to buy, you’re nullifying all your effort.

3. Do not work on different tasks in one Pomodoro

If you target 3 different tasks within one slot, you’ll lose time switching
attention from one place to another. As much as possible, pick one target
for the entire slot. If you have many smaller tasks to complete, set aside
one separate Pomodoro to get them done.

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If you recall a pending job when you’re between a Pomodoro, make a note.
Do not jump into that task, even if it is small unless it is unavoidable.

4. Keep the breaks short

One of the disadvantages of the approach is, you get a short break
every 30 minutes. Not everyone has the discipline to relax for a few
minutes and focus on the next task to do right after. The interruption can
turn into an extended period of wasted time.

If you allow yourself to turn lenient, the Pomodoro technique can turn into
short spans of work followed by long breaks of distractions.

5. The technique requires practice

During your initial attempts, you’ll have a hard time avoiding distractions
and maintaining focus. Don’t give up assuming you’re not cut for this.

Every person has a challenge in the early days adapting to short slots of
focused attention. You’ll get accustomed to the pattern in a few days.

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Advantages of the Pomodoro Technique

1. Helps you focus

The biggest advantage of using this time management technique is

the improvement in focus. When you’re surrounded by distractions,
different jobs can pull your attention in all directions. By targeting one task
at a time, you make progress towards the goals that matter.

The method yields great results when studying for an exam or learning new
material.

2. Makes progress as a process

If you lack a structure to your day, you’ll find yourself engaged on one task
after another until you reach the end of the day. Unfortunately, such an
unorganized approach forces you to postpone the long term goals you care
about.

But, if you set aside a couple of Pomodoro slots every day for the goals
that resonate with you, you’ll keep moving forward towards your target.

3. Reduces multitasking and distractions

Due to the short 25 minute time window, you’ll manage to stay away from
distractions and multitasking. With a little experience, you’ll nail the process
of choosing the right task for each Pomodoro without letting your mind
waver.

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4. Tracks effort

Most people have no idea what they spend their time on. The day ends
with nonstop work hours but mediocre results.

If you spend 15 seconds at the end of each Pomodoro to note down the
task you worked on, you’ll have an activity log of your day.

If you notice yourself struggling with progress despite spending long hours,
all you need is a peek into your work log. You’ll know where you’re leaking
time and how to fix it.

5. Uses primacy and recency effect

As per psychology, the brain has an easier time remembering the first and
last items of a list. You can apply the same concept to enhance your
learning methods.

By allowing short sessions with breaks, you create more opportunities

for the primacy and recency effect. As a result, you might digest and retain
information better compared to hours of relentless studying.

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Frequently asked questions about the Pomodoro

technique

The technique has millions of users across the globe, and more people are
trying it every day as we speak. If you haven’t implemented it before, here
are some questions you might have in mind.

1. Why is the length of each slot 25 minutes?

The duration of 25 minutes is only a suggestion. It stands at a middle

ground between being too short to get a job done or too long to maintain
focus.

But again, many people use different Pomodoro times to suit their
needs. For example, writers go on a flow for an hour or two before taking a
break. Athletes practice in a burst for 15 minutes before catching their
breath.

You should experiment to find the right slot length for you. Be wary of these
two pitfalls though:

• Longer sessions can lead to fatigue and lack of concentration,

especially if you have a short attention span
• Shorter slots will spawn frequent breaks which can disrupt your
rhythm

2. Do I break my entire day into Pomodoros?

Not at all. You can start by setting a few hours of your day as Pomodoro
slots. Once you get the hang of the method and develop better focus, add
one slot at a time until you’re comfortable. Do not try to rush the technique.

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Many Pomodoro experts allow a portion of their schedule to attend to the

nuances of the day instead of a rigid 30 minutes slots throughout.

3. What if I am distracted between a slot?

As per traditional rules, if you interrupt a Pomodoro, you should not take it
into account. If you can follow that practice, that’s amazing.

But, most people cannot avoid every single distraction. A neighbor might
knock at the door, a coworker can walk up to you or a friend may have
important news to share. Avoiding such situations is not only rude but in
some cases downright impossible.

Under such circumstances, forgive yourself for letting an interruption slip

by. But make sure that does not turn into an excuse to watch a random
video on Youtube between a task. You must avoid all distractions that you
have the control to stay away from.

4. Can I tweak the method as per my needs?

Definitely. I would recommend you to play around with the slot duration and
break timings based on your needs.

For example, I use a longer Pomodoro of 60-90 minutes for writing content
for my blog or books. I stick to a shorter slot of 30 minutes when I taking an
online course, reading a book, or working on a technical aspect of my
website.

Do not consider the stepwise breakdown as the only way to gain results
from the technique. You’ll boost your productivity by experimenting and
figuring out what suits your personality and circumstances the best.

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5. Does the Pomodoro technique work for

everyone?

Just like any other self-improvement concept, the Pomodoro technique has
both believers and haters. Some claim that the method has changed their
lives, while some others complain that it made no difference.

Whether the technique yields results for you depends on your current
mindset and habits. If you currently approach your day without a clear
structure or a plan, implementing the Pomodoro technique will make
a difference in your productivity.

But, if you already have a structure to your schedule where you spend
focused time on the right tasks, you’ll not notice any significant
difference.

I use Pomodoros in combination with time blocking in different lengths

dispersed throughout the day. They both blend well together and work for
my schedule. Similarly, you’ll have to find a way to fit the technique into
your world. No method works as a one fit for all, so you’ll have to find the
sweet spot.

6. The term Pomodoro sounds different. What’s its

origin?

The method was invented by Francesco Cirillo in the last 1980s. Back then,
as a university student, he used a kitchen timer which was tomato-shaped
to track time. Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato, which Cirillo used to
name the technique.
You can find a similar timer even today on Amazon.

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Conclusion

The Pomodoro technique has its pros and cons. If you’re new to time
management techniques, you’ll certainly see the reward. When used
correctly, it can increase your focus and thereby your productivity. But, it
isn’t the only way to make the best use of time.

Time blocking and Deep Work are other methodologies that help you
complete your tasks and achieve your goals as per the deadline.

Knowing each of these techniques and experimenting with them will

help you determine what works for you and what doesn’t. Each one of
us has such different personalities, professions, and goals. Sticking to one
technique would mean constraining yourself within a straitjacket.

Draw inspiration from each of these methods and tailor them to your
situation. After all, you know yourself best.

I would love to know your thoughts on how the Pomodoro technique

worked for you. I would be all ears to your feedback because I am eager to
find ways to improve. I will listen to negative comments with an open mind
and make an effort to fix your concern.

Drop me an email on [email protected]. I look forward

to hearing from you.

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