It seems endless when we’re working on a presentation, but when we’re spending time on social networks, it flies like a shooting star.

All day long, you strive to accomplish the tasks on your to-do-list, and when the day ends, you realize that you’ve accomplished absolutely nothing.

And then the guilt and frustration eat away at you. You feel like you’re useless, worthless and have wasted your day.

For a freelancer, time management and organization are very important for the development of your business.

To combat procrastination and stay productive, there’s an effective solution that involves dividing your day into small chunks of time, and working through these chunks with intense concentration and no distractions.

This solution is called the “Pomodoro method”. But where does it come from?

Originating in Italy and developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s, he used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato to manage his time. Hence the name of the method.

Now that you know where it comes from, we’ll explain what the Pomodoro method is all about.

What is the Pomodoro method?

This method consists of organizing your activities into 25-minute work sessions, interspersed with short 5-minute breaks to optimize your concentration. After 4 Pomodoros (sessions of 4 x 25 min), you can then take a break of 15 to 30 minutes.

ATTENTION: This point is essential for the method to work properly.

To stay focused throughout a Pomodoro, you need to limit distractions: deactivate chat and email notifications, put your phone on airplane or focus mode, set a time to chat with those around you if it’s not urgent, etc.

How to apply the method to a freelance activity?

To better suit your working style and preferences, this productivity method can be customized.

Here are some ideas for customization:

Change the duration of the pomodoros:

You can adjust the length of the sessions to suit your working habits, for example by taking longer breaks or setting up shorter work sessions.

With or without music:

Put on an uninterrupted playlist (preferably instrumental) for optimum concentration, or simply let a timer calculate your time!

Does this productivity method suit you?