Pomodoro Technique Book Review.

I have always been fascinated half assed user of the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro technique is basically just setting a timer, working until the timer goes off, having a tiny break and continuing.

…OR SO I THOUGHT.

Turns out there is an entire freaking website, countless articles and…A BOOK. I decided to read the book. Here is the Self Help Hipster’s Pomodoro Technique book review.

DISCOVERY I think the Pomodoro Technique exists for as long as I have been trying to be productive, but I started following Eva late 2012 and got seriously inspired by how productive she is, often using the Pomodoro Technique.

So I dusted that puppy off, used it more often and got more curious about it: Where it came from and stuff. I emailed the website if I could review the book and they sent me a voucher for the ebook. The Epub version is 7,99 but you can also get the hardcover, a combo-deal and other varieties in the online store.

SUBJECT The Pomodoro Technique, obviously. It’s called the Pomodoro Technique because the guy used a timer in the shape of a tomato.

…I know.

The book discusses the discovery, the theory behind it, every rule (and why), the benefits. And baby, if you want to do the Pomodoro Technique by the book? You gotta know there’s TONS OF RULES. Not just these, but plenty more.

KOOKINESS (1-10) Obviously there is nothing ethereal or incense-wavy going on in a time management technique book, BUT one or two of the rules are a little crazy in my opinion.

For example, “If a Pomodoro (= the time unit of 25 minutes) is interrupted definitely, it’s void.” Um, no it’s not. I can pause and play that shit.

Also, “if you complete the activity during a Pomodoro, review it until the Pomodoro rings.” Um, I can go to the kitchen in that left over time and get food, AND I WILL.

FAVORITE QUOTES

• “The Pomodoro has to encourage consciousness, concentration, and clear-minded thinking.”

• “The Pomodoro Technique allows you to keep your focus on the current Pomodoro or, once that’s done, on the next Pomodoro.”

• “This technique boosts personal motivation by directly influencing personal improvement on a day to day basis.”

• “The passage of time is no longer perceived as negative, but positive. Every Pomodoro represents the opportunity to improve, or in crisis situations, to reorganise rapidly.”

• “In fact, to guarantee consistently high productivity, it’s not effective to make yourself work or study non-stop from morning till night.”

• “A path of improvement lies before you that involves discipline, observation and fun.”

STAMP OF APPROVAL Yes. I know people dismiss it because it is so common sense and easy, but the thing is: Common sense and easy techniques are often under appreciated in a world with complicated strategies and theories.

This short book (about 150 pages with a normal font on your iPad) explains everything about one of the most effective time management strategies ever thought up.

Of course you don’t have to hold to every rule (the author says it’s better if you do but I say the basics will do), but using even the fundamentals of this are so, so effective. You effectively manage your time, you increase your own productivity, you feel better, and…you get results.

When I use the Pomodoro technique (at home I use the Mac Pomodoro App, at work I use this web-based timer*), I am focused, calm and I get shit done. Often a lot quicker than I thought I would!

YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK IF…

• You want to know more about this time management technique.
• You want to start working with this Pomodoro Technique yourself.
• You can’t believe they wrote an entire book about it.

And for the record, I wrote this blog post in 1,5 Pomodoro. And yes, in that 0,5 Pomodoro left, I went downstairs for food. Had a tomato salad. I don’t know, I got a craving.

(Not sure about the book but do want to know more? Check the Get Started page on how and why and give it a shot. Let me know how it’s going!)

* And believe it or not, listening to the ticking gives me hyperfocus and boosts my productivity. Drives Will nuts, though.

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