What is the Pomodoro Technique?

Introduction – What is the Pomodoro Technique?

‘Beat procrastination and improve your focus one pomodoro at a time’ (Todoist)

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s all too easy to become distracted by our digital devices. A quick glance at Facebook can swiftly turn into 20 minutes of mindless scrolling. One WhatsApp message about tonight’s dinner can lead you to check out the best pasta recipes.

The constant influx of information and the pressure to remain perpetually available can lead to cognitive overload, where our brains are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data they must process. This state hampers productivity and contributes to heightened stress levels and a diminished sense of well-being.

The British Safety Council website cites a YouGov poll of more than 2000 UK adults that states that about one in five UK workers suffer from burnout.

Moreover, the constant barrage of notifications and the habit of multitasking with digital tools can further strain our cognitive capacities. Contrary to popular belief, multitasking does not enhance our productivity; instead, it increases stress and reduces job satisfaction, as our brains are wired to focus on one task at a time.

If the above sounds like you and you feel overwhelmed, prone to procrastination, and struggling to concentrate, perhaps the Pomodoro® Technique is right for you.

In the article below, I will explain how the Pomodoro Technique came about, what it entails, and why it’s effective for getting things done.

Background Information on the Pomodoro Technique

In the late 1980s, student Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique while trying to study for exams and getting frustrated over his lack of progress.

Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato. In many households, we find tacky tomato-shaped kitchen timers, and this is precisely what Cirillo used as a study aid to beat procrastination. In essence, all he did was set a time for a set period to concentrate on one single task for the specified time. He experimented with different intervals from two minutes upwards before settling on the now standard 25 minutes.

This experience led Cirillo to realise that time could be turned into an ally rather than a source of anxiety. (More on this later).

Ever since then, Francesco’s core focus has been on improving productivity and efficiency by finding ways to achieve more with less time and effort.

Today, Francesco Cirillo is the CEO and Founder of Combinant Dynamics, a software development centre based in Dubai. He works with some of the largest companies worldwide.

 

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

In essence, the Pomodoro technique is a time management system.

As we have seen above, the Pomodoro Technique trains people to improve their focus by limiting their time on one task.

The Pomodoro Technique trains people to focus on tasks better by limiting the time they attempt to maintain that focus and ensuring restorative breaks from the effort. (TechTarget)

It helps people overcome their tendencies to procrastinate or multitask by creating more efficient work habits.

As mentioned above, the Pomodoro technique uses a kitchen timer (alternatively, you could use an online app or the clock on your phone) to break work into 25-minute intervals, separated by short 5-minute breaks. During each work session, you concentrate on one task and work only on the set task. You don’t check your phone, you don’t go on Facebook, you don’t make endless cuppas. If a task takes longer than 25 minutes, such as writing an assignment for uni, break it into smaller steps and use one or multiple 25-minute chunks to complete it.

During your 5-minute break, you switch off from work and step away from your desk. Why not stare out of the window, walk around or make a hot drink?

After completing 4 Pomodori (plural of Pomodoro) or 2 hours of work, you are allowed a more extended break of half an hour or more. Repeat this cycle several times throughout your day.

Wikipedia explains the six steps of the technique well:

1. Decide on the task to be done.
2. Set the Pomodoro timer (typically for 25 minutes).
3. Work on the task.
4. End work when the timer rings and take a short break (typically 5–10 minutes).
5. Go back to Step 2 and repeat until you complete four pomodori.
6. After four pomodori are done, take a long break (typically 20 to 30 minutes) instead of a short break. Once the long break is finished, return to step 2. 

In 2006, Francesco Cirillo wrote a 160-page book entitled The Pomodoro Technique. The Life-Changing Time-Management System, in which he outlines the method in more detail, the essence of the system is as simple as explained above.

Of course, one can adapt the method by making the individual Pomodoro longer or shorter or by grouping short tasks in one 25-minute session.

Conclusion – What is the Pomodoro Technique?

As we have seen above, in its essence, the Pomodoro Technique is very simple yet very effective.

The playfulness of someone setting a tomato timer really helps them with getting things done.