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The Pomodoro technique will upgrade your productivity.

It is simple yet powerful. I've been using it for years now, and it is one of the reasons I can focus on tasks and get things done fast. Keeping them small also helps me avoid procrastination.

However, they also hide another superpower.

One that changed everything.

🍅 What Are Pomodoros?

The Pomodoro technique is a dead-simple time management method.

Overall, it helps you break down your work into short intervals. They are focused sessions, known as "Pomodoros", with brief breaks in between. Our brain loves this, but why?

Because you reduce overwhelming tasks into actionable steps.

Look at the difference:

  • "I need 2 hours to finish this."
  • "I need 4 Pomodoros to finish this."

The first sentence looks more overwhelming than the latter.

The second sentence is more actionable than the first one. You only need 25 minutes of your life to get started.

The Anatomy of the Pomodoro Technique:

  1. Focus on a task for 25 minutes only.
  2. Then, have a break for 5 minutes.
  3. Repeat this three times.
  4. Have a long break of 25 minutes.

Pomodoros are powerful because they are actionable.

When you say, "I need 4 Pomodoros to finish this," you are reducing the task's complexity. This makes you feel more comfortable with it. As it is small, it is easier to start getting things done and avoid procrastination.

But this is only the beginning.

🕰 Meta-Time-Management

Pomodoros hides another superpower:

They teach you how long tasks actually take. We often underestimate or overestimate the time required to complete a task. For example, I thought writing an article took me 25 minutes.

With Pomodoros, I realized it takes me longer.

Using this method, you will get a realistic sense of how long different activities take, which is crucial for your time management skills. You will plan your day better, set realistic goals, and avoid overworking.

Their other superpower is meta-time management (knowing that you know how long a task takes).

Example 1. Writing an Article

I used to overestimate how long this took me.

After using Pomodoros, I improved my time management so that I could write more without burnout. Now, I know that it takes me around 35–40 minutes to finish an article, from typing the first word to hitting the publish button.

Now, I can manage my schedule effectively.

Example 2. Correcting Proposals

I am a tutor for a Cognitive Neuroscience diploma.

Students write a research paper to practice academic writing and research methodology there. For most of them, this is their first time writing something like this, so of course, they will make mistakes.

Correcting these papers is time-consuming.

But Pomodoros saved me. Now, I know that I need between 2 and 3 Pomodoros to finish correcting one of these works. This helps me schedule my tasks and responsibilities effectively.

And saying, "I only need 25 minutes to get started" is more actionable and makes it easier to start getting things done.

How To Use Them Effectively

  1. Estimate the number of "Pomodoros" a task will take. Write it down on a digital note or paper.
  2. Use Focus Keeper or another app to start getting things done.
  3. When finished, compare your results with what you wrote in Step 1.
  4. If a task takes more than expected, consider dividing it into different Pomodoros.
  5. Evaluate your productivity to adjust your future time estimates.
  6. Repeat.

This will make you more efficient in managing your schedule and avoid unnecessary overworking.

Use them, and you will upgrade your healthy productivity forever.

Ways I can help you:

  • Subscribe to my new free newsletter The Super Learning Lab.
  • Stay tuned for an upcoming free learning ebook and an email course!
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Thanks for reading!

See you,

Axel

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This article was published on September 15th, 2024 in Long. Sweet. Valuable. publication.

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