Enter: the Pomodoro Technique.
Best of all, its easy.
Lets break it down and see how it’s possible for you to apply it to your work.
Weve definitely discussed the Pomodoro Technique before.
You even voted ityour favorite productivity method.
However, weve never done a deep dive into how it works and how to get started with it.
So lets do that now.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Techniquewas invented in the early 1990s by developer, entrepreneur, and authorFrancesco Cirillo.
Cirillo named the system Pomodoro after the tomato-shaped timer he used to track his work as a university student.
With time it can even helpimprove your attention span and concentration.
Pomodoro is a cyclical system.
Youwork in short sprints, which makes sure youre consistently productive.
You also get totake regular breaksthat bolster your motivation and keep you creative.
All youll need is a timer.
Heres how to get started with Pomodoro, in five steps:
Choose a task to be accomplished.
Negotiatea time when you could get back to them about the distracting issue in a timely manner.
Call backthe other party when your Pomodoro is complete and youre ready to tackle their issue.
Doing so doesnt just keep you in the groove, it also gives you control over your workday.
Cirillo himself prefers a manual timer, and says winding one up confirms your determination to work.
Even so, weve highlighted a number of Pomodoro apps that offer more features than a simple timer offers.
Its remarkably flexible, and you dont have to install anything.
Eggcellent(Formerly Pomodorable (OS X)is a combination Pomodoro timer and to-do app.
These are just a few good tools to choose from.
you’ve got the option to alsouse Google as a timer.
Alternatively, you’re free to buya tomato timer and a copy of the book togetherfrom him directly.
If you want Kindle or ePub versions of the book,grab them directlyfrom Cirillos store as well.
Essentially, people who have to actually produce something to be reviewed by others.
However, its also useful for people who dont have such rigid goals or packages of work.
Anyone else with an inbox or queue they have to work through can benefit as well.
The system is remarkably adaptable to different kinds of work.
Finally, its important to remember that Pomodoro is a productivity systemnot a set of shackles.
If this method helps, go for it.
If not, dont force it.
Many productivity systems focus on organization or specific tools.
In those cases, the goal is to help you avoid forgetting things and prioritize your work.
Pomodoros utility is in its simplicity.
Finally, the Pomodoro method is highly personal.
Its not difficult, and you may find that it helps you focus.
Theres more to the picture here, andCirillos bookcan offer more guidance and specific examples if you need them.
With luck, itll give you a way to be continuously productive while keeping you from burning out.
This story was originally published on 7/2/14 and was updated on 7/12/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
Updated 3/3/22 with new details.
