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Pop quiz. Which of these do you agree with?
If you agree with one or all of these statements then you will love the Pomodoro technique.
I first learned about the Pomodoro technique while listening to a podcast. The person being interviewed was talking about how life-changing this technique has been for them. And, I was skeptical, but I soon found that it really does work!
Pomodoro sounds pretty fancy, but it really just means “tomato” in Italian. Yep, a tomato. This technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980’s for which he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to break down work into intervals (source).
The Pomodoro technique is a time management technique where you break down all of your tasks into 25 minute focused blocks of time. By doing this you will get more done in less time, will improve your mental sharpness, and will see better results.
Note: The creator of this technique encourages the use of a mechanical timer. Cirillo indicates that the physical act of winding the timer confirms the user’s determination to start the task; ticking externalizes desire to complete the task, and ringing announces a break. Flow and focus become associated with these physical stimuli (source).
A few tips:
Subscribe to Tons of Goodness below to gain access to the Resource Library password. The Resource Library includes a PDF version of this Free Pomodoro Task Tracker!
All you need is some way to track time, a pen, and a piece of paper. I even use this method with my daughter who is in kindergarten to get homework done, to clean her room, etc.
Since the Pomodoro technique breaks up tasks into 25-minute blocks, the tasks seem much less overwhelming and far more manageable.
Another benefit that I have found is that it helps me with my tendency to wanting to work on something until it’s “perfect”. I decide ahead of time how many Pomodoro’s I will use for a task and stick to it.
Done is better than perfect.
How many times a week of a day do you say, “I wish I had more time”? Well, by using the Pomodoro technique you can see exactly how you use your time. You will find that you have more time to spare since you are being more productive. And you can be proud of the amount of work you’ve completed by seeing all of those checkmarks!
I think that it makes time seem more positive because every Pomodoro represents an opportunity to get something done or to improve something.
Another reason why this time management technique works so well is that it allows for frequent breaks. You know that after 25 minutes of focused work you will be getting a short break. And after four Pomodoro’s you will get a 25 to 30-minute break.
By doing this I am able to ignore distractions, stay focused, and stay motivated.
Interested in learning more about motivation? Check out this post:
Want to Reach Your Goals? Remember Why You Started.
What I love about this time management technique is that you can use it for so many situations. For example, tasks that I have used the Pomodoro technique for include:
As you can see, this method can work for any situation. It’s also great to teach your kids. My daughter, who is 6 is able to use the concept when we’re working on homework or cleaning her room (two things she really doesn’t like to do).
Try the Pomodoro Technique and let me know how it goes!
