Something that’s helped me make my study super effective whilst using the pomodoro is just setting small study sesh goals. I used to use the pomodoro technique just as a time and break technique to help me work for long periods of time. It was working alright, but my work quality doesn’t seem that much better.
I’m sure a lot of you have heard of the book ‘Flow’. It’s been recommended by so many people, including one of my favourite Youtubers called John Fish who goes to Harvard. So I’ve been reading Flow, and it talks a bit about enjoying a task by putting your full attention on it. However, the most successful people who achieve ‘flow’, also have clear goals and clear feedback. Your goal should also be just challenging enough to push you, but also match your skill set. Now it’s not easy to implement the stuff taught in books, into your life (especially to something like study), but I gave it my best shot.
Step 1: so before each pomodoro study sesh (25 minutes), I set a little ‘challenge’ for myself. For example, finishing all my case notes for a topic. I made sure that it was a realistic challenge - one I might be able to meet, or might not.
Step 2: then, I really hyped myself up for the challenge, telling myself I’m going to put my full effort and concentration into this task for the next 25 minutes and I’m going to finish it.
Step 3: as I clicked ‘plant’ on my Forest app which I use for my pomodoro technique, I did just that. I just focused on the next 25 minutes ahead of me and getting to that small goal.
Now, I’m aware this is a mix of so many things - goal setting, taking the first step, attitude, flow, etc. But it’s WORKING. As a result of it, I’m coming away with more effective study and better quality work within less time than normal.
