What is Time management and why it’s important?
Time is limited. For many of us, time is an enemy. We always race against the clock to get things done, finish tasks and assignments and meet deadlines. So, we need to optimize it to get better results. Time management is the process of planning and exercising control on specific activities say it study or work to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. Actually, there are plenty of ways for time management. you can adjust your sleep time, create to-do lists or by apps. If you don’t fully understand the importance of time management, those lists or apps are of no use to you.
- You can accomplish more with less effort – If you learn the importance of time management, you will be able to focus more. With improved focus, your efficiency gets increased without losing your momentum
- Improved decision-making ability – Let’s say you are in a position to make any decisions, and you are under tremendous pressure. you will make a decision without considering all the available options. with time management you can eliminate the pressure which comes from feeling, “I don’t have enough time.” Here, you will think calmly and your decisions are more conscious.
- Become more successful in your career – proper time management is key to success, if you take control of your life with proper time management, you can accomplish more in your day.
- Learning opportunities are everywhere – Everyone wants to learn something new. If you properly manage your time, you can make some free time to learn new things.
- Reduce stress
- Self-discipline – when you manage your time effectively, you leave no space for procrastination. The better you are at time management, the more self-discipline you learn.
Although there are many ways to manage time, one of the best techniques is the Pomodoro technique
What is the Pomodoro Technique, History and Theory?
Pomodoro technique prepares you to work with time instead of fighting with it. The Pomodoro technique is a revolutionary technique which is easy to learn and simple to implement. Back in college days, a student named Francesco Cirillo wanted to track his work. So, he invented this technique in the early 90s. Since then it got popularity in various productivity and self-motivation circles By the way, Pomodoro is an Italian word for tomato.
The basic idea of the Pomodoro technique is that any large task or series of small tasks can be broken down into short tasks. Each small task is called ‘Pomodoro’ and short time interval is given for each task(Pomodoro). Each small task is separated by a small break. You might have a question, Why time interval is given for every small task? The main idea is that time instills a sense of urgency rather than you have felt like the endless time in the workday to get things done and at the end of the day you will be a victim of distractions. Trust me, you don’t want to be a victim of distractions. The Pomodoro technique helps you to prevent burn out which we feel every day at the end of the day.
How to use it? A beginner guide to The Pomodoro Technique.
The first thing you need is a timer. You can get any app in Appstore or Playstore. We have curated some best apps available in the market.
- Break a task into small tasks.
- Set timer to 25 min.
- Continue to work on the task until the timer goes off.
- Take a break for 5 min.
- After 4 pomodoros cycles take a longer break of 20 mins
Handling distractions during work
The whole point of this technique is to get 25 mins of intense focus. You got to limit those distractions. Always keep in mind, to avoid checking time too often while studying or doing any task. Avoid Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and Twitter during 5 mins break. During 5 mins break, don’t sit at the same place of work. Its better you take a walk or at least refill that water bottle you have. Keep your phone in flight mode, If you don’t want to keep in DND or silent mode. But, sometimes DND might affect your timer app.
If anyone is distracting you, then use inform, negotiate and callback strategy suggested Francisco himself.
- Inform them that you are in the middle of something.
- Negotiate a time when you can get back to them.
- Callback when you finish your cycle.
When to use the Pomodoro Technique and its modifications
Always remember, the Pomodoro is a productivity tool to serve you if you don’t want to take breaks during group studies or during exams time or big presentation day, then don’t. But, breaks are mandatory, at least after 4 cycles. It will help you to focus and prevent burnout. Sometimes, it’s better to keep working or studying a lot once you catchup that momentum. The Pomodoro technique is mostly used when you are unable to motivate to study or when you are feeling dull or bored. You don’t have to pro to use this technique. you can start by small commitments. It’s easier to pick up and continue when you have the momentum.
Pomodoro is a template to increase your productivity. You can do modifications whenever you want. Some tasks require 25 mins of working time and 5 min break. Some might work with a 15 -10 strategy. If I am working on a data sets I personally use 15 -10 strategy. Even, 15-10 strategy will give better results.
Conclusion
Even though this technique is not for everyone or in every line of work. But, if you want to work in a systemic way and to tackle your to-do list, the Pomodoro technique may fit your needs. The best part of the Pomodoro technique is that it’s free unless you want to buy some fancy timers. You can always your timers on your phone, there are plenty of decent apps available in Appstore or Playstore.
Good time management allows you to accomplish more in a shorter period of time, in turn, it gives you more free time, where you can learn new things, lowers your stress and also it helps you to focus which help you to grow professionally in your career.
So, If you try it and hate it, you haven’t lost anything.
