How I Improved Productivity with the Pomodoro Method | by Tamarah Asassa

At the end of November, I had my first exam in three years which I had to complete as part of the Digital Marketing Level 3 Apprenticeship. As someone who can get easily distracted, I knew that I would need to think about how best to plan out my revision as well as the content of the exam. This is when I came across the Pomodoro Method. 

What is the Pomodoro Method?

The Pomodoro method is a time management system in which you use a 25 minute session of focused work followed by a 5 minute break. The 25 minute period is one of intense focus, away from phones and social media. The method was named after the tomato timer used by the inventor Francisco Cirillo when he first came up with the idea to complete his university assignments.

After 25 minutes, a timer sets off signalling it is time for the 5 minute break to begin.
The 5 minute break on the other hand can be spent doing whatever you fancy before you begin your next focused study session. I generally use my breaks to grab a snack or refill my water before getting ready to study again.

Pomodoro can basically be summed up to an equation where,

1 Pomodoro = 25 minute work session + 5 minute break

After 4 Pomodoros, you can have a 20-30 minute break, depending on what is most beneficial for you. It is really beneficial to use it to create a routine and track your progress in a notebook or on your computer. This is the tracking method I used on Google Sheets in order to keep track of how many sessions I had completed and which topics I had covered for my exam. It also helps you keep track of breaks to make sure you are getting the full benefit of the system.

How it Helped Me

When I first started using the Pomodoro method, I was amazed by the method and how much more productive I was and how genuinely rewarding it felt to complete several cycles of the method. Personally, I find it much easier to focus when I know it is within a specific time frame. 

As well as using the method for revision, you can also use it to manage your workday and break the tasks in your workload into manageable chunks of time. This can be really beneficial in those busy weeks where nothing feels like it is getting done, as breaking down the tasks makes ticking each one an achievement. It also prevented me from task-switching all the time as it allowed me to have a specific focus on a topic.

Even if you only have a few hours available in between meetings, it is still really useful to use the Pomodoro method to maximise the potential of your time and to complete your tasks between meetings and other responsibilities.
 

Personally, my favourite applications for the Pomodoro method are: 

• Focus Keeper - Time Management (Website, iOS, Android)
• Flora - Green Focus (Website)
• Flow - Focus & Pomodoro Timer (iOS)

Overall, if you want a new way to increase your productivity, try out the Pomodoro method for a week at work or for the next exam you have. I have found it extremely beneficial to help my concentration and allow me to complete all my tasks within a succinct time frame.

Tamarah Asassa is a Digital Marketing apprentice and is writing for the Apprentice Lens. Here's more about her: 

"I am excited to practice my writing skills and hopefully help people by sharing my own personal experiences. I really love learning new skills and finding the best approaches to tackling them."