How to Get More Done in Just 25 Minutes

Have you ever felt like you could have gotten more done in a day if you had better management of your time? I know I have. For many years I have tried to find the perfect time management tool or method to getting more done and I think that I have found it. It is called the ‘Pomodoro Technique’.

The Pomodoro Technique is a way to make the most out of your time and was created by Francesco Cirillo in 1992. Today, this method of time management is being practiced all over the world. I find this technique to be most suited for people who procrastinate or just need an extra push to get started on a task.

Here are the materials you need to get started with the Pomodoro Technique:

1. A Kitchen Timer
2. A piece of paper (To write your to-do list)
3. A pencil

Got your kitchen timer, piece of paper and pencil? Good. Now here are the five simple steps of the Pomodoro Technique:

1. Choose a task that needs to be done.
2. Set your kitchen timer for 25 minutes (Each twenty-five minutes is called a ‘Pomodoro’).
3. Begin working on the task until your kitchen timer rings and put a check on your piece of paper.*
4. Take a break. (approx 5mins)
5. Then continue with another Pomodoro. (You may take a longer break after every four ‘pomodoros’).

What I personally like about the Pomodoro technique is that it allows you to ‘get things started’. After all, in order to ‘get things done’, you need to get started first. This technique chucks down your time into smaller time boxes and makes the task seem less daunting.  The less daunting the task, the more likely are we to do it. Try it.

*If you find that you have not completed the task, you may either choose to carry on the task at the start of the next Pomodoro or you may begin another task (make a note on your to-do list) and come back to that task later.