Time Magic
Procrastinating? Let the Pomodoro work its magic on you
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
I’m writing this with a timer set for 25 minutes. When the timer goes off, I am to take a 5-minute break and then I’m to go right back at it for another 25-minute round. After a set of four 25-minute sessions, I’m supposed to take a longer break, between 15 – 30 minutes. And so forth and so on. For this technique to work there is to be no cheating, no pushing of the timer back because you’re in your flow or not in need of a break, etc., etc., etc. For the technique to deliver its magic, the integrity of the technique must be protected.
It's called the Pomodoro* and promises to increase your productivity by bringing forward the kind of intentionality that gets work done while preventing the junk work that emerges when a mind and body have not been given the necessary time to restore. This is a good day for me to test drive the technique because I’ve got two deadlines and could use some magic.
Notable to me was how the Pomodoro got me going right out of the gate with focused vigor. Then the timer went off way too soon. However, I forced myself to play by the rules and set this Splash aside for five minutes and proceeded to wonder what to do with myself since there was no need for the bathroom or something from the kitchen, the usual reasons that dictate a break. I found myself doing some deep breathing and stretches, which I’ve never been successful at incorporating into my day no matter my intention. The timer went off and I got back at it. Before you know it, I was into the second break which I used to re-stock my fridge with seltzer water then just looked out the window at a flowering tree for a luxurious minute. I can see how tiny breaks could become precious, creative little bursts of goodness.
While not all work lends itself to the Pomodoro technique, my thought is that it really shines in the presence of the impulse to procrastinate, working its magic on dread projects like cleaning out the basement or scary projects like putting together a big presentation. With the Pomodoro, time flies and work gets done.
To getting stuff done,
E
*The Pomodoro takes its name from the Pomodoro tomato-shaped kitchen timer the guy who came up with the concept (Francesco Cirillo) used for the technique back in the 80’s.