Pomodoro working from home: staying focused despite distractions.

Teleworking has become a way of working that has been adopted quite widely in recent years. In 2023, it is close to 47% of French companies that use remote working in this way. That's a good thing, because 72% of employees appreciate this way of working. However, teleworking also has disadvantages, such as distraction or even procrastination.

However, it is possible to work remotely while having a productive working day. The recipe? The Pomodoro method Who in teleworking is ideal for working more efficiently and optimizing the time spent in front of your screen. Let's discover together this efficient and very easy to deploy approach.

What is the Pomodoro Method?

The Pomodoro method is a time management technique developed in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. He wanted to increase his productivity. He then came up with the idea of using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (in Italian Pomodoro). The latter allowed him to set up productive time cycles of 25 minutes.

Based on a suite of work cycles alternating with break times, the aim of the Pomodoro method is to work more efficiently. This objective is achieved by making the time spent completing tasks more productive, as it is possible to focus fully on each cycle.

To summarize, the Pomodoro method is based on three essential principles :

• The timing: Each work interval or pomodoro lasts 25 minutes. After each Pomodoro, you can take a 5-minute break.
• The cycles: After four Pomodoros, the break is longer. Its duration then varies from 15 to 30 minutes. These cycles are very important to maintain performance.
• The unique task: The aim of a Pomodoro is to focus on one goal. This removes the distractions and pitfalls of multitasking.

Why is the Pomodoro method suitable for teleworking?

The effectiveness of remote work is sometimes questioned by some managers. They fear that employees, who are isolated, are less committed, organized or productive than in their usual workplace. The Pomodoro method is then a good way to preserve remote work while allowing employees to work more efficiently.

While a productive day at the office is punctuated by coffee breaks and exchanges with colleagues, this is not always the case when working from home. The Pomodoro method, with its regular cycles, then makes it possible toEstablishing a form of structuring of working time.

Another problem with remote work is the difficulty to focus on work when you have to deal with distractions. The Pomodoro productive tool is then very relevant, because 25-minute periods are more easily affordable and thus avoid wasting time by procrastinating.

Finally, the method fundamentally integrates breaks. The latter can sometimes be overlooked when working from home. The workload can then become too much and professional efficiency will inevitably reduce. On the contrary, by taking the time to take regular breaks, the time spent is optimized and the collaborator will learn to organize and maintain work efficiency.

The pros and cons of the Pomodoro method

The Pomodoro method is very useful for managing your time. However, before you start using it, you need to know more about the advantages, but also the disadvantages of this approach.

Benefits

• Improving concentration: You can increase productivity by focusing on one task at a time and eliminating distractions.
• Reduction of cognitive fatigue: Alternating work cycles and regular breaks is a good way to work smarter and reduce brain fatigue.
• Optimization of time management: By dividing tasks into easily identifiable blocks, you can improve your personal organization and better plan the tasks of the day.
• Reduced procrastination: Completing short tasks lasting 25 minutes allows you to work faster by reducing the temptation to procrastinate.

Disadvantages

• Requires discipline: Like any working method, the Pomodoro approach requires a certain amount of discipline, as it is essential to respect work and break times.
• It is not always appropriate: The method may not be relevant for some tasks that require a long period of uninterrupted concentration.
• Can be difficult to respect: When working from home, interruptions caused by the environment can disrupt Pomodoro's work cycles.
• Sometimes creates pressure: Some employees may be stressed by the presence of a constant countdown.

How do you incorporate the Pomodoro Method into your daily routine?

Do you want to implement the Pomodoro method to become effective during your hours of remote work? All you need to do is follow these a few simple steps.

Choose a timer

The timer is The building block of the Pomodoro method. Take one that fits your needs knowing that it can be a simple Kitchen timer, of a wall clock Or of a specific software. The latter will have the advantage of providing you with reminders and advanced statistics to assess your productivity.

Plan tasks

To get started, list the tasks you need to complete in the next day or week. Then, for each of these tasks, Estimate the number of Pomodoros needed to make them. This will then allow you to organize and manage tasks rationally.

Create a workspace

While the Pomodoro method is ideal for reducing distractions, we recommend that you separate the work area from the break areas. You will thus be able to fully become aware of the various essential phases of the Pomodoro technique.

Personalize the way you work

To boost productivity when working from home, feel free to customize the Pomodoro according to your needs and goals. If a 25-minute session isn't right for your type of work, consider alternative working hours, but always remember to alternate them with corresponding break times.

Prioritize your priorities and become more efficient

By using the Pomodoro approach, you can focus on what matters most. Organizing by cycles is ideal for improve concentration, prioritize your priorities and eliminate procrastination. For all these reasons, the Pomodoro method is one of your most valuable allies when working from home. It will help you maximize your well-being by establishing as well as productive working hours What of well-deserved breaks !

SAFE, 2023: Assessment of the adoption of teleworking in France, 2023

Oberlo, 10 key figures for remote work, 2023