The Pomodoro Technique (30 min task Batching)

The Pomodoro technique is a time management philosophy that aims to provide you with maximum focus and creative freshness, allowing you to complete projects faster with less mental fatigue or distractions.

It is based on the studies by Francesco Cirillo, who found he wasn’t retaining or working effectively, despite studying all night. After realising he was getting distracted and not using his study time efficiently, he grabbed a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (literal translation is tomato), set it for 10 minutes, and tried working solidly for those 10 minutes without doing anything else. It forced him to focus before rewarding himself with a break and helped him get more done, even with the break time added in.

There are two elements to the ‘Pomodoro technique:

1. You work in short sprints, which ensures you're consistently productive

2. You take regular breaks that bolster your motivation and keep you creative

When faced with any large task or series of tasks, break the work down into short, timed intervals (called ‘Pomodoros’), that are spaced out by short breaks. This trains your brain to focus for short periods, but with ruthless and intense productivity. It’s also great in a distracted world where attention spans seem to be getting shorter. I find it hard to watch a TV advert without needing to pause it for a break!

I use the Pomodoro technique in many areas, especially when writing. 25 or 30 minutes on, 5 minute break, in sets of three, with a longer break after the set of three. When I take people away to my once a year ‘Book Writing Bootcamp’, we do four sets of three each day, so 12 sets of 25 minutes. Most people get 6,000 to 15,000 words a day done. Trying to write in larger batches of time usually ends up in less words done, because fatigue sets in earlier and the time seems more overwhelming. Anyone can get their head around and motivated to work for 25 minutes, but 3 hours is a bigger ask.

This technique works. There are five simple steps:  

1. Choose a task to be accomplished

2. Set the Pomodoro (timer) to 25 (or 30) minutes 

3. Work on the task until the timer rings 

4. Take a short break (5 minutes or so; don’t be tempted to work through and take all 5 minutes)

5. Every 3 or 4 ‘Pomodoro’s, take a longer break (say 15-20 minutes)

If you're distracted part-way through, you either end the Pomodoro there, save your work and start a new one later, or you have to postpone the distraction until the Pomodoro is complete. If you isolate yourself from distractions (next chapter), then you don’t get distracted! 

To further gain benefit from the Pomodoro technique, give yourself micro targets and micro rewards every 25 minutes, or each set of 3. Simple things like a coffee, a guilt-free surf of the Internet or a small purchase can add extra focus and motivation. Remember process leads to outcome (one Pomodoro at a time).

If you are struggling to even get that far, just START. Get the 1st minute or first sentence done. You will soon be moving & the 25 mins will be over before you know it.

This has helped me write more than one book a year, sometimes two or three, for nearly a decade, and can help you; Get. Shit. Done.  

This is taken from my new , upcoming book "Routine = Results". Anything you would like to add or ask?

Rob Moore