Most intellectual tasks are very difficult to accomplish without strong focus and concentration. On the other hand, many people are unable stay focused and work without interruptions for a prolonged periods of time like whole day or even a couple of hours.
Results of scientific research show that even in perfect conditions where sources of external distractions are limited, people are able to stay focused and concentrated at one particular task for no longer than a period of 30-60 minutes. Studies performed in real office conditions shows even more pessimistic results. For example, Gloria Mark, associate professor at the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, discloses results of her study which has been conducted on 36 managers, financial analysts, software developers, engineers and project leaders for three days. Gloria and her colleagues found out that uninterrupted continuous periods of work were no longer than about 3 minutes in average. Moreover, people interrupted themselves almost as much as they were interrupted by external sources.
This all means that office workers need to find the way how it is possible for them to stay focused on task and minimize number of unwanted interruptions.
Created in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo aimed on productivity Pomodoro Technique today is more actual then never before. It stands on a simple assumption that people need to specially keep themselves focused if they want they work to be done. And as we now that people can’t be focused for a prolonged periods of time – according to Pomodoro they need to make short breaks often.
The Pomodoro Technique can be described in five simple steps:
- Choose a task to be done
- Set the Pomodoro timer to 25 minutes
- Work on the task until the timer Pomodoro rings
- Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
- After Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break
Despite its simplicity Pomodoro Technique works surprisingly well in terms of getting things done. Visit Pomodoro official website for more info.
Reviewed on our website GTD Timer 2012 has built-in support for Pomodoro Technique and is very handy in adopting this approach in your everyday work.
4709742a-cfb5-493b-9aee-7df17eb74e04|0|.0