Does the Pomodoro technique actually help you to be more productive? Let's find out.
The very first video here on the Simpletivity channel was all about the Pomodoro technique, but I actually haven't talked much about it since that time.
It's been nearly three years. So in today's video, I want to go over what exactly the Pomodoro technique is, how you can implement it, and does it actually work.
Is it gonna help you to be more productive? Alright, so first thing first.
What is the Pomodoro technique, and where does that name come from?
Well, pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato. And in Italy, a very popular type of kitchen timer is in the shape of a tomato.
That's the history or the origin of the name. Now the Pomodoro technique really involves some very simple steps.
It basically involves grabbing a timer, and you could use something as simple as your smartphone, setting a determined period of time in which you are going to focus.
You are going to focus exclusively on one task or one project.
And then when that timer goes off, you take a short break.
It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to say goodbye to that task, but at least re-evaluate where you are in your day.
Does that particular project need a little more time? Or should you be moving onto something else?
And the great thing about the Pomodoro technique is that you can use it for almost anything.
It's more than just project work. You can use the Pomodoro technique when you're dealing with emails, something that I use the Pomodoro technique with quite often.
Let me give you an example. A lot of us say that hey I'm gonna spend a little bit of time with email.
But there's a big difference between spending 20 minutes with email and 20 focused minutes with email, when you're gonna do nothing but email and processing your inbox.
And to make sure that I don't spend most of my day in my inbox, I will use a timer to set a limit.
Now a traditional Pomodoro duration is 25 minutes. Setting a timer for 25 minutes and working exclusively until the timer goes off.
But you don't have to restrict yourself to just 25 minutes. In my own work day, I will often set the timer for twice that length, 50 minutes, especially when I'm working in the morning.
During the morning hours is when I have a greater amount of energy and I want to accomplish a lot more before I break for lunch.
So I'll often set my timer for 50 minutes and then also follow that by taking a somewhat longer break.
But you may want to experiment with what is the ideal time for you, and also adjust that time depending on the activity or the project that you're engaged with.
But perhaps you don't want to use your smartphone because when you're doing focused work, you like to put this on mute or maybe put it away completely.
And perhaps you don't want to install another application on your desktop computer. Well, there are other devices that you may find helpful.
Right here on my desk, I have something called the GetProductive Alpha. Now this is a brand new product which is designed specifically for those who want to make use of the Pomodoro technique.
Now one of the nice advantages of using an external timer such as the GetProductive Alpha is that that is all it does.
You don't have to be searching for a separate app or doing something additional on your computer.
Yes, it does make it a bit of a uni-tasker. It is basically only a timer and a stopwatch, but once you've found the duration that works for you, all you have to do is press a single button.
And the GetProductive Alpha will tell you when your time is up.
Now this product is so new, it's actually in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign.
So if you'd like to learn more and perhaps be one of the first people to own a GetProductive Alpha, be sure to check out the link in the description below.
So I want to hear from you next. What do you think about the Pomodoro productivity technique?
Have you used it before? And if so, what types of activities are you using a timer for?
The Pomodoro technique is not really ideal for every single thing you do, but when you need that focus, when you need to block out other distractions, that's where the Pomodoro technique can be so helpful.
Thank you so much for watching today's video. I hope you subscribe right here to the Simpletivity channel.
Give this video a thumbs up. And don't forget to leave me a comment down below.
Remember, being productive does not need to be difficult. In fact, it's very simple.
