Skip to main content

[Goal driven] A technique that has (almost) nothing to do with tomatoes

I know a lot of theory about time management, techniques, ways of organizing yourself and so. And I am sharing my knowledge with others as well.

But the most rewarding part comes from actually applying these techniques myself.

For example – using the Pomodoro technique has given me the joy of achieving significant progress in just a small amount of time.

Imagine a bright red, glossy tomato-shaped kitchen timer sitting on a clean wooden desk. Its rounded surface gleams under soft daylight, with a small green stem on top, mimicking the look of a real pomodoro. Around its circumference, bold white numbers mark the minutes, with a simple arrow indicator showing the current countdown. The timer’s dial is currently set to 25 minutes, signifying the start of a focused work interval. Nearby, a notebook and pen suggest readiness for productivity, while the timer’s classic wind-up mechanism adds a tactile, satisfying element to the scene – a perfect embodiment of the Pomodoro technique in action.

What is the Pomodoro technique?

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method that breaks work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks. This approach helps maintain concentration and reduces mental fatigue. It encourages steady productivity and makes large tasks feel more manageable. You can combine 4 pomodoro intervals followed by a longer break.

How do you use the technique?

Well – knowing the technique is one thing but actually putting it into action was a completely different affair.

A true procrastinator would start by searching the net for a pomodoro timer, then searching for the oneline store with the best price, ordering it and then… waiting for the delivery.

But I took a different approach: I took my phone and set a timer for 25 minutes. I also picked a task I really didn’t enjoy doing and decided that I ever crash it or… crash it.

I started the timer. I started working on the task. Notifications in Teams started to pop-up. I glanced but did not open. Focused on my task.

Notifications in WhatsApp also appeared, from my family. I did not glance. I focused on my task.

I got stuck with an idea – and when to search for inspiration. I almost clicked on a link for something not related. But I stopped. And focused on my task.

I glanced at the timer. Already 15 minutes passed. I was making progress, but… not enough time to finish in the next 10 minutes. I paced up to finish.

The timer beeped. I was NOT done. But I was on a roll. So instead of taking the recommended break, I continued until I ate that frog. Yeah, I finished the unpleasant task.

I was DONE! I had a feeling of achievement not felt for a long time.

I hit SEND on the outcome to my boss, I was happy and relieved. One more thing off my list.

 

What “frog” do you plan to eat next? Are you ready to apply the Pomodoro technique to focus and progress in 25 minutes?

Buy yourself a nice timer 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting PMP certified

I've got a lot of friends asking me about how to get certified. Each time, I had to remember how many hours of experience one had to have, and how many hours of learning, and then which where the links that were most useful for me, as well as all the books and software I have ever used. In terms of specific requirements for getting certified, the best resource will always be pmi.org, with a direct link to the requirements: PMI site - Obtaining the Credential . The site lists a credential overview, and then there (currently) 5 handbooks for the 5 available certifications. There is also a page with how to prepare for the exam, from an administrative point of view. If you are new to project management, then you will have to go with the CAPM certification. Then, the rest of certifications are for more and more experienced PMs. I only know well about the PMP certification, as it's the one I've got. First step is to ensure that you meet the elgibility requirements. At the t...
1 comment
Read more

[Management lessons] When the Best Plans Fail: Lessons from a troubled launch

A few months ago, my team was gearing up to launch a new automation tool for case assignment - a project that is key for the future, and also were we spent so much energy into. We spent weeks identifying scenarios, testing in a dev environment, and reflecting on potential issues. We wrote crystal-clear documentation and worked with a rockstar team of developers, testers, and communicators. We thought we had every base covered. But when launch day arrived, chaos ensued. The tool hit snags that never showed up in testing - edge cases we hadn’t anticipated. Worse, some team members seemed blindsided by the changes, despite our efforts to keep everyone in the loop. It was a classic “complex failure,” as Amy C. Edmondson describes in her book Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well . Complex failures, Edmondson explains, aren’t the result of one person’s mistake or a single oversight. They happen in intricate systems where multiple factors - technology, human behavior, and unexpe...
Post a Comment
Read more
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.