Credits: Social Media
I started using the Pomodoro clock method, now I can work without checking my phone
I used to spend my working day scrolling through Twitter, until I started using the Pomodoro clock method to start thinking about time differently.
With an increasing number of people now working from home, and our offices containing a million different digital distractions, it can be quite hard to remain focused and on task all day in 2024. And while such a simple fix may not work for everyone, I found that the introduction of a very basic (and free!) clock-based timing method has helped my productivity come on leaps and bounds.
I use the ‘Pomodoro clock method’, and you should too
Like most members of the Gen-Z generation, I’ve got a bit of a problem with checking my phone all the time.
And while I wouldn’t dare scroll through social media whilst doing my job as a writer, I am also a full-time student who spends the majority of my week in the library – and that is exactly where my iPhone looks at its most alluring.
Frustrated by my pathetic attention span and my inability to focus on the task at hand, no matter how important, I decided it was time to try something new. I did not expect, however, the solution to be so easy.
As it turns out, my studying savior is the Pomodoro clock method, or Pomodoro Technique. All it means is that you use a timer to break up your workday into smaller sections and reward yourself with a small break after every ring.
The origins of the Pomodoro and how it has helped me
The Pomodoro method was popularised in the 1980s by Italian time management expert Francesco Cirillo, who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer he had lying around, (hence the name), to help him to stay focused.
The standard work/to break ratio is 25 minutes of work to five minutes of rest, though you can set your timer to whichever parameters you like.
The real benefit I have found from my first couple of months of Pomodoro timing is that I now have a clear idea in my head of when exactly I’m going to get to stop, giving me one less thing to worry about as I try to get my work done.
Physiologically, I feel as though I have really earned a break, and that I am entitled to check the memes I’ve been sent on Twitter, or read the inane chatter taking place on my WhatsApp groups.
I don’t have my Screen Time setting turned on as, frankly, I can’t face being told I’ve spent eight-plus hours a day watching videos of horse hoof restorations. But, anecdotally, it really does feel as though I’m checking my phone a lot less and, crucially, getting more of my uni work done.
Simply checking your phone sporadically throughout the day does not reward you with that same sense of accomplishment, and taking breaks without timing them often left me feeling guilty when a quick check of TikTok ended up eating up half an hour of my day in the library.
For the best results, I would recommend turning off your phone completely whilst you’re in work mode, if you can, so you’re not tempted to have a cheeky read of your texts whilst you scroll through Google Scholar.
Another thing worth noting is that after every second or third round, remember to give yourself a longer break. Nobody can be productive without having a break in excess of five or 10 minutes all day, and the cock should help you to feel productive – not burnt out.
Which Pomodoro site/apps to use
I am a simple man and I use a simple website for my simple time management trick.
The site I use is called Pomofocus and it is completely free to use. It is fully customizable, allowing you to set whichever timing parameters you like, and it will run smoothly in the background – alerting you gently when it is time to rest or time to get back to work.
You can even write tasks underneath the timer so you don’t need to refer to your phone to see your to-do list, and you can make an account to log your hours to see how much work you’ve been putting in.
Alternatively, there is a popular app called Forest which technically doesn’t make an explicit mention of the Pomodoro method, but it does more or less the same thing.
Users are encouraged to ‘plant a tree’ when they want to start being productive. The tree will then grow as you work away, blossoming fully by the time you are ready to take a break.
Exiting the app will kill your tree, thus motivating the user to keep on working, so they can add each tree to a forest and look back on how far they’ve come.
And, of course, if you’re old school, just grab an actual physical timer, pop it on your desk, and lock your phone away in another room.
As long as you’re setting realistic goals and giving yourself regular breaks, you’ll forget that TikTok even exists – at least for a few hours.
