Maximizing productivity with the Pomodoro Technique

Image Credit: “Tomatoes” by St0rmz, used under CC BY.

Everyone is looking to increase their productivity in and out of the workplace. One of the most popular systems to increase productivity is the Pomodoro Technique. The technique was created in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo and it continues to be used today by many professionals. The goal of the Pomodoro Technique is to maximize focus, encourage creativity, and decrease burnout.

Although tools exist, the Pomodoro Technique is a straightforward and no-cost method. The premise of the technique is to allocate periods of time to work productively on one project with short periodic breaks. For every project, you work for a given amount of time (typically 25 minutes). A timer should be set to alert you when 25 minutes have passed. According to the Pomodoro philosophy, adhering to the strict timing requirements allow you to crank out tasks in an efficient manner and prevents you from jumping from project to project. After 25 minutes, you are allowed to have a 3-5 minute break. The frequent breaks help to improve mental agility by keeping your mind refreshed.

Each 25-minute period of work is considered a “pomodoro”. Literally meaning “tomato” in Italian, the technique was named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Francesco Cirillo used as his personal timer when he was a university student. The presence of the timer gives incentive to complete the task at hand more quickly. The timer enables you to hold yourself accountable, while minimizing procrastination.

When the timer goes off, you are to track your progress with an X for each completed pomodoro. Tracking this data gives a sense of accomplishment while promoting self-improvement. After four pomodoros have passed, you are allow to take a longer break, typically 15-20 minutes. Overall, this allows you to minimize interruptions while improving focus.

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To learn more about the technique, click here.