Review: Is the Pomodoro Technique Really Helpful for Productivity ?

As a full-organized (future) lawyer, this review of the pomodoro technique could help you to know how to manage your time perfectly, with a new more focus and creative brain.

At first sight, Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato. The inventor named the technique after a tomato-shaped timer he used to track his work.  The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method, in order to separate by 25 mins the time working.  Each period is separate into short break. After a four-period of 25 mins, a longer break is recommended.

The aim and the process of this technique

On the one hand, the aim of this technique is to be more focused. It aims to let the brain take a break in order to not “over learn.” Regular breaks are helpful for the assimilation of all the data in a course. After few days of use, you might feel a better focus and a creative freshness. You may be able to complete your tasks faster with less mental exhaustion.

On the other hand, the process of this technique do not require a lot of tools. You’re going to need a paper to use as a “To-Do List” for the day, and a timer. 

After setting the timer for a pomodoro of 25 mins, it is highly recommended to work on the task without any distractions with the aim to stay focused. When timer rings, you can take a break for 5 mins. Then, move on to next task or continue with the current one. After four pomodoros, 100 mins of work time with 15 mins of break time, take longer break (15-30 mins) and then, start again.

Once a task is finished with the pomodoro’s ringing, users starting to understand the difference between the effort and the break time with a feeling of accomplishment. According to the pomodoro’s creator, this technique helps people with deadlines. It also helps to avoid burnout and managing distractions. This then leads to an all-around better work and life balance. The aim of this technique is to reduce the impact of internal and external interruptions on focus and flow. The results of this is that it externalises the desire to complete the task and ringing announces a time for rest.

The feedback of this technique

If you have a large and varied To-Do List, using the Pomodoro Technique could help you move projects forward faster by requiring you to meet strict deadlines.

At a final point, it is obvious that this technique can not fit to everyone. But, if you are still researching a means to be more organised, with a specific line of work, it could be suitable for you. Indeed, the Pomodoro Technique teaches you to work with time. This one is currently seen as an enemy by students who are studying for a long time. This also applies to some organisations which suffer of a frequent pressure of time.

The best apps to use the Pomodoro Technique

In addition, here is some apps available on the Appstore, android and online to get a timer and sometimes a To-Do List is included:

• Pomodoro: a very sober online timer which includes a To-Do List
• The Timerdoro: useful online site for people who need multiple timers
• Engross: android app for the pomodoro technique, it includes a To-Do List and statistics
• Be Focused: App Store app for the pomodoro technique, you can manage your tasks, track your progress with a full synchronisation between iPad, iPhone and Mac
• Pomotodo: available on the App Store, Android, Windows and as a Chrome extension