How Pomodoro Technique Improved my Discipline (And Why You Should Try it!)
The Pomodoro Technique.
I recall hearing the term for the first time.. It was brought up by one of my managers in a team meeting, and it sounded like a bunch of gibberish to me.
Who in their right mind would want to make themselves a tomato timer? And why?
As it turns out, back in the '80s, Francesco Cirillo had the same question… about himself. He was struggling with his productivity, so he decided to give himself an assignment: use a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (pomodoro is Italian for "tomato") to get his work done. He found that it worked for him—and gave birth to the Pomodoro Technique, which has since become hugely popular with productivity gurus everywhere.
Strange.. Isn’t it?
Well, here’s my experience.
When I got my first office job, I had to get used to a regular work schedule and stay at my desk for most of the day - chatting to customers, listening to their complaints, making reports and bro, it was hard! I kept catching myself eating snacks while working, checking Facebook, and getting sucked into office gossip. Okay, I'll admit it - I'm not a very disciplined person. Ugh.
The thing is, I just can't sit still. It's hard for me to focus on one thing for a long time. But that's necessary if you want to get stuff done in an office environment.
So when my manager told me about the Pomodoro Technique, I was willing to give it a shot. The technique is pretty simple: you set a timer for 25 minutes and work on your tasks until it goes off (then you take a 5 minute break). When you take your breaks, though, you can do whatever you want—check Facebook or text friends, if that's your thing.
Now, I'll be honest: I've never made myself a tomato timer or used it to time my work sessions (though if you do that and it works for you, great!). But I've been using the Pomodoro Technique in my work life for years now… and honestly? It changed my life. I'm so much more focused on what I need to get done each day, and it's really helped me feel less overwhelmed by everything I have to accomplish.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that helps you get the most out of your time while also preventing burn-out. You work in 25 minute sprints, and then take a 5 minute break. You do 4 sprints before taking a longer break of 15 minutes.
That might sound easy enough, but it's not just about timing yourself with a timer or an app. It's all about using that time efficiently. This means no distractions—no phones, no social media, no emails, no getting up to get water or use the bathroom…. Well, okay, we're not going to be potty police here, but you get the idea! For 25 minutes you are in WORK MODE.
So why should you try this method? I'm so glad you asked! Let's dive in:
1. It helps me remember to take breaks.
2. It helps me focus.
3. It makes me conscious of how much time I waste.
I can't deny the fact that I am a little hard-headed, so it took me a couple of Pomodoros (practically) to fully appreciate their benefits. But now that I have, I can't imagine going back to my old ways.
There are a plethora of time-management techniques out there, and learning to implement them into your life can mean making real and lasting changes. The Pomodoro Technique is one of the easiest and least complicated methods of time-management out there. That's why I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking to start on their journey towards improving their discipline.
