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If you work more than eight hours a day and do not have time to do anything, think about why. Why we’re obsessed with productivity and how to work less and get more done with the Pomodoro Technique
Productivity Obsession
The productivity trend can become an obsession. Andrew Taggart, a professor of practical philosophy at Silicon Valley, believes that the pursuit of maximum productivity is now like a religion. Its high priests are time management gurus, life hack experts and productivity coaches, its teachings are methods, tools and approaches, and its followers are seminar participants and course students.
The trend is fueled by bloggers and technology leaders: Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook goes to bed at 22:30 pm and wakes up at 3:45 am. In the morning he reads about 800 letters, and at 5 am he works out in the gym. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk works 80-90-hour weeks, drinking eight Diet Coke and several large cups of coffee.
According to Taggart, it’s all about the “Age of the Bourgeoisie” – a massive shift in worldview that began around 1800. Now we are all bourgeois. Where the aristocrats praised heroes and Christians venerated saints, we honor the savvy merchant and visionary entrepreneurs.
After the Second World War, with the growth of GDP, work takes a central place in human life. Middle-class Americans are buying their own homes, appreciating amenities and advances in technology, and clearly separating work and personal life. Representatives of generations X and Y envision the future even brighter, becoming more obsessed with work.
We end up accepting the illusion that personal productivity is happiness. The labor society encourages constant employment and efficiency, but does not allow you to ask yourself the most important questions: “Who am I?”, “Why am I doing this?”, “What is the point of everyday routine?” Without thinking and answering these questions, it is pointless to use time management methods and productivity techniques.
If you clearly understand why to work more productively, master one time management technique – the Pomodoro method (tomato). The Pomodoro technique helps you focus on only one task and not be distracted.
The technique was invented by Italian student Francesco Cirillo in 1980. In his first year, Cirillo was preparing for exams and could not concentrate on his studies. Then he started a kitchen timer in the form of a tomato for 10 minutes, during which he would not be distracted from the task, and then he would take a break. Francesco noticed that it was easier to concentrate for a short time, and over time he developed his method into a complete system.
How the Pomodoro Technique Works
The Pomodoro method is suitable for study and work. A Pomodoro is a 30-minute time frame – 25 minutes for work and 5 minutes for rest.
In its simplest form, it works like this:
Why You Should Use the Pomodoro Method
The Pomodoro Method helps you get more done in less time. At the same time, workaholics also use it: they limit themselves to rest. For example, the author of the material on habr reduced her working day from 10 to 5 hours, and devotes her free time to her husband, hobbies and reading.
If you get into the habit of working on a timer, you will know the value of your time, work more productively, learn to manage expectations, train your willpower and prevent burnout.
You know the value of your time. Your time is valuable, whether you pay for it or not. The technique helps to calculate the cost of your time and plan your working day. If you have learned to think in terms of tasks, you will be able to meet deadlines and targets and maintain work-life balance.
Increase your productivity. The method helps to concentrate attention in order to do more in the same time. You focus on a single task and manage distractions so you don’t get distracted by calls, emails, and side tasks.
Manage your expectations. You better estimate how long it will take for a particular task. If you know that an eight-hour job is 16 tomatoes with breaks, and you do not have time to do them in one day, then you will not deceive yourself and others. You will be able to manage your own expectations and the expectations of the manager, mentor, colleagues.
Train your willpower. You focus on your goals because you choose to. You do not shift the responsibility to blockers of sites, helping services and other people.
Prevent burnout. Scheduled short breaks relieve the “driven” feeling, save strength and resources. You won’t overwork or burn out if you stick to this technique.
When the Pomodoro Method Doesn’t Work for You
The Pomodoro Method is not for you if:
How to deal with distractions
Pomodoro helps to focus on the task, but distractions still appear. If you’ve been distracted in the 25-minute time period, make a check mark next to the current task in the list. When you’ve finished all the things on your list, check your marks and think:
- Why are you distracted?
- Was it worth it?
- What would happen if you didn’t get distracted?
- How not to get distracted next time?
If you need to move away, stop the timer and interrupt. When you return, start the timer again and continue working on the unfinished task. Remember: the timer is not a panacea, but try not to get distracted.
Pomodoro apps for smartphone and computer
Компьютер
- Pomodoro Tracker – simple timer for the browser
- Online timer “Tomato” – a browser-based timer with a list and history of tasks
- Pomodoro Timer – Online timer app for MacOS
Android
- Pomodoro Timer is a simple timer with a modern design.
- Focus Timer Reborn – timer with statistics and performance analysis
- Pomodoro Smart Timer – timer and tracker in one app
iOS
- Flat Tomato is a handy timer with a simple modern design
- Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & To Do List – timer and to-do list in one app
- Plantie is a timer with beautiful gamification: if you are not distracted, a tree grows