Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple time-management tool created to improve productivity. It was created by Software Developer and Entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s when he used his tomato-shaped kitchen timer to organize his work schedule. Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato. The technique was created with the aim of using time as a valuable ally to accomplish what we want to do the way we want to do it and to empower us to improve our work or study progress continuously.

It has the following benefits:

  • Alleviating anxiety linked to deadlines

  • Enhance focus and concentration by cutting down on interruptions

  • Increase awareness of decisions

  • Boost motivation and keep it constant

  • Bolster determination to achieve goals

  • Improvements in the study process

Instructions

  1. Choose a task you’d like to get done

  2. Set your timer to countdown 25 minutes

  3. Work on the task until the timer rings

  4. Once the timer is up, take a break for 5 minutes

  5. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for four cycles

  6. On the final cycle (4th cycle), take a longer break for 30 minutes

  7. Go for another set of 4 Pomodoros as required

Rules

  • A Pomodoro cannot be interrupted or split up. If a Pomodoro is interrupted, it should be considered void and never started. Make a fresh start with a new Pomodoro.

  • When the Pomodoro rings, take a break for 5 minutes. You are not allowed to keep on working even if it is just for a few more minutes. The break gives you the time to disconnect and assimilate what you’ve learned in the last 25 minutes. Use the break to do something good for your health, eg drink water, deep breathing, stretching etc.

  • Every 4 Pomodoros, stop and take a longer break for 30 minutes.

Find out more about the Pomodoro Technique here!