I often feel like I’m racing against time to get tasks on my list completed. When I’m working from home, I can be easily distracted by dishes in the sink or laundry that needs attention. If I’m working on the road, I want to explore and find my attention wanders every few minutes to what’s outside my window. On the opposite end, I’m also prone to “get in the zone” when writing and editing for clients and work nonstop for hours, by which time my posture has dissolved to the point I look like the letter C sitting in front of my computer. 

I’ve recently started using a new method for working on projects called the Pomodoro Technique. My co-working group introduced me to it. According to all of the online sources, Francesco Cirillo created the technique in the 1980s, whereby he structured his work time into 25 minute increments separated by short breaks. He called it the pomodoro (Italian for tomato) technique in reference to his tomato shaped kitchen timer. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Decide what needs to get done. I make a list of all the tasks I need to do that day and group them by type so I can see what I need to do at the computer, in the house, and outside of the house.  I mostly use the Pomodoro Technique for computer-related work.
2. Next, set a timer for work. The original Pomodoro timer is for 25 minutes of work and then a break. For me, it’s easier to work for 30 minutes, mostly because my watch has a 30 minute timer button. If something comes up, like I remember I need to look up the time to an event or my clothes dryer dings, I write it down on my distractions list. 
3. Take a break. Once I’ve completed 25-30 minutes of work, I get up and move around and address any items on my distractions list. I usually take five minutes, but anything from three-five minutes should do the trick. If any of my distractions take more time on the computer, I designate a Pomodoro cycle for them as well.
4. Group four Pomodoro cycles. Every four cycles, take a longer 15-20 minute break and then start over again.

Here’s why it works:

When your brain recognizes that you have 25-30 minutes in which to work, it creates two conditions:

1. A sense of urgency. You don’t have all day, you have right now to make progress on your work.
2. A sense of focus. Your mind can center on the task in front of you and you have clarity to finish one task at a time.

It took a little practice but now I’m better at judging what can get done in a single Pomodoro and how to break down a larger project. Though this technique, I have learned there is no such thing as multitasking (but we can talk about that in another post) and focused work time within my work schedule means I’m more productive and my work quality is better too. I use my watch for a timer but there are plenty of Pomodoro apps available. What do you think? Will you give this method of working a try? I would love to hear what you think.