Unproductive? With the Pomodoro technique you can concentrate better – also in the home office

Unsatisfied with your output? Don't worry, we know a way out: with the Pomodoro technology you can organize yourself perfectly – especially in the home office a valuable tool …

Working in the home office is both a blessing and a curse: you save time and, if necessary, pollution for the way to work, you can work in your comfort clothes and you have your own bathroom. But you are also constantly tempted to do something other than work. Quickly put the laundry in the machine, oh, you could suck again and what does the fridge actually give …?

On the other hand: If you really want to or don't feel like doing the tasks at your desk, you can usually procrastinate in the office. After all, you can always find a colleague to chat with, or just check your emails every five minutes or jump from one browser tab to another. Work unfocused? Nothing easier than that! But with the Pomodoro technique we can put procrastination and multi-tasking in their place.

How does the Pomodoro technique work?

The Pomodoro technique was developed by the Italian Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s and the principle is as simple as it is effective:

  • Work 25 minutes
  • 5 minutes break
  • Work 25 minutes
  • 5 minutes break
  • Work 25 minutes
  • 5 minutes break
  • Work 25 minutes
  • 15 to 20 minute break
  • etc.

The division of working hours into fixed phases of concentration and breaks reduces our psychological resistance especially when it comes to protracted efforts that do not produce quick results and a sense of achievement, and it makes it easier for us to stay on the ball. In addition, short breaks help to get a new look at the task you are currently working on. Cirillo recommends four work cycles until a longer break is planned. In order to really keep to the times, it is also advisable to set an alarm clock at the beginning of each phase. Incidentally, the Italian used an egg timer in the form of a tomato – that's why the principle is still called the Pomodoro technique.

Pomodoro technology: planning and visualization

In addition to the time division into 25: 5 format, the Pomodoro technique also includes an element of planning, in which the task should best be formulated in writing at the beginning, as well as a visualization: A list of the work phases (Pomodori) that one has set itself for a day, and ticking off or crossing out a phase (pomodoro) after it has ended. This gives us feelings of success and progress in between and motivates us to continue working. Small to-dos like short phone calls or responses to emails should – if possible! – According to the Pomodoro technique, they are always placed at the end of the working day, i.e. in the last or the last two Pomodori.

By the way: Even in long, heated discussions, it can be helpful to arrange a fixed break aka "silence" after a certain time in order to gather in between. And if the timer is already set to 25: 5 format anyway …