The Pomodoro technique is an effective time management technique.
The process breaks down into five steps.
- Choose the one thing you will accomplish
- Choose the length of time you will focus on the task
- Set a timer for the work
- Work at accomplishing the one thing until the timer goes off
- Take a break
- Repeat
A few keys:
- When choosing your one thing make sure it is well defined so you can see progress towards finishing it.
- Use the same amount of time for every block so you build the habit of working regardless of what the one thing is.
- Evaluate on a weekly basis how well the length of time is working and adjust either making it longer or shorter
- Make sure the break feels like a break. Move yourself away from where you are working to reinforce the break
- Use one of your blocks of time to really brainstorm the different “One Things” you want to accomplish.
- Don’t switch tasks during a block of time. If something comes up, or you have ideas, just jot them down to address them after the timer goes.
- If you finish the “One Thing” before the timer, keep working to make it even better. Over-deliver