Hi Makers,
The Pomodoro technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s (1). The Pomodoro technique helps to focus on one single task at hand by avoiding distractions during a period of time previously set.
Its name originates from the “pomodoro” word, which means tomato in Italian. When Francesco Cirillo was a student, he used a timer with the aspect of a tomato similar to the one in the picture above. He named his time management technique following the appearance of his timer.
Francesco Cirillo defined the 6-step Pomodoro process as follows (2):
- 1. Choose a task you’d like to get done: The task should require your undivided attention.
- 2. Set the Pomodoro timer for 25 minutes: You may decide to adapt the duration to your work specificities.
- 3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro timer rings: Do not interrupt yourself. If you suddenly have another task to do, write it down on a sheet of paper.
- 4. When the Pomodoro rings, put a checkmark on a paper: yes, use a low-tech approach to avoid distractions.
- 5. Take a short break: generally 5 minutes to breathe, meditate, go for a short walk, etc.
- 6. Every 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break: 20 to 30 minutes. Your brain will assimilate new information and rest before the next round of Pomodoros.
I hope the technique presented in this short article will be useful in helping you getting the task you decided to do done.