I thought I was done with productivity systems. After reading GTD by Davin Allen, I used to think his productivity system was the best (for me) and I wouldn’t need anything else for getting things done. That’s why I didn’t consider the pomodoro technique the first time I came across it, one year ago.
But as it always goes with good things, I was invited to try the pomodoro technique again a few days ago, and I can now say that I was literally impressed by how well the system works.
Overview
The pomodoro technique is a simple productivity system that can be learnt in about thirty minutes. It basically consist of five phases: planning, tracking, recording, processing and visualizing.
At the earth of the pomodoro technique, there’s the single focus principle. When you work using the pomodoro technique, you focus on a single task for 25 minutes, and after that time has passed, you stop and take a break of 3-5 minutes. This amount of time (25 minutes) is called a pomodoro, which is the italian for tomato, and it’s considered by the system an atomic measure of time which can’t be divided.
Once you start a pomodoro, you can’t switch to another task until the pomodoro is done, and you can’t continue to work after the 25 minutes are passed, even if you think you would only need another 3 minutes to complete your task.
Another critical aspect of the pomodoro technique is that you should track what you do during the day and record your efforts at the end of the day. This is done especially in the recording phase.
Why it works
Although this systems might look a bit strict at first, it really works. Being strict on the 25 minutes rule has many benefits. First, if you finish a task before the 25 minutes, you have the time to review or over-learn the subject. If you finish a task early in the pomodoro (for example in the firsts 5 minutes) and you think you can’t do anything else on that task, you can void the pomodoro and start a new one after a short break. This helps against procrastination because you avoid task switching.
Another reason why the pomodoro technique works is because of the way our brain is built. I wont be specific here, but our brain is not good at maintaining focus for a lot of time, and 25 minutes fits nicely with our brain capabilities.
Breaks are also very important. Doing 2-3 minutes of non-challenging activities every half hour helps to fight stress and procrastination, and is a good reason to get up from your chair and stretch your muscles.
In the pomodoro tecnhique, you also take a longer break (15-30 minutes) after you have completed four pomodoros. This is a perfect time for checking emails or going to the coffee machine.
What you need
All you need to start using the pomodoro technique is a timer, a daily sheet and an activity inventory. You also need a way to record your progress during the day, for example a notebook.
I personally use a sheet of paper to track my activities, which can be found on the pomodoro techniques website.
I still use software on my computer to keep track of long term projects and ideas, and I only transfer to my activity inventory the important tasks for the week, but this is a personal choice, and it may or may not work for you.
When to use the pomodoro technique
The pomodoro technique is highly effective if you work don’t need to move a lot to do your work, for example is good if you work with computers or in an office.
The pomodoro technique should not be used to manage your free time, or when you want to spend quality time on something.
Resources
You can read more about the pomodoro technique on the official website, where you can also find a free ebook along with some resources to get you started.
It really takes thirty minutes to get you started and to grasp the fundamental concepts, so why don’t you give it a try today?
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This seems a good method. When it comes to time management, I am not very good at it. I have a busy schedule and this technique will save lot of time.
Hey Mr. I, let me know how it works for you if you decide to give it a try.
This is awesome! I’m always interested in learning about systems like this. I will definitely give this a try, Oscar.
Good to know Nate! I’m sure you’ll like it.
I’ve never heard of this technique before, but it sounds like a technique that I really should try. I’ve been reading a few books lately regarding time management, and I’m getting better at it.
The books I really recommend are Getting Things Done by David Allen, and Juggling Elephants by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig.
Now, I’ll download the ebook you just recommended. Thanks.
- Jens -
Hey Jens, I’ve never heard of the book Juggling Elephants, I will check it out in the future. Thanks for your comment.
Hey Oscar.
This is cool stuff. I have done something similar to the part about recording where time goes during the day, as I started using RescueTime, and it surprising where time goes when it is not being checked.
This Pomodoro technique is cool, first because I like tomatoes, and second because of how it seems to be valuable. I can’t see anyone using it and not succeeding, so that is a good sign. The next difficulty would be getting into the habit.
I like the use of paper, and printing out something like a timesheet to then fill in with a pencil or pen. I will print out those two Pomodoro pages, and maybe try a couple of other types of pages I find online.
Neat to see this.
Armen, I can see this working for you very well. If you really want to implement the habit, try to make it your primary goal for 21 days. It should be a sort of mini challenge, but make sure you have a reminder every morning.
Great method! I used it a while back and it really helped me beat a lot of my procrastination. Come to think about it, I really don’t know why I gave up using it. Now that you reminded me of it, maybe it’s time to put it into action again.
Eduard
Hey Eduard, good to see it worked for you before, and thanks for your comment
I’ve had never heard of this technique before, however it sounds pretty awesome!
I never knew the key factor of focus revolves around 25 minutes!
Hi Simoh, unfortunately (or fortunately) we can’t maintain focus for a long time (usually max 40 minutes) and with all the distractions we have with computers, 25 minutes are already challenging, that’s why this technique it’s effective.
This seems simple to me for some reason… For me, I generally clarify why I want to do something and I can do it with absolute focus for hours.
When your not clear about doing thing you have ot find creative ways to motivate yourself.
So it comes down to whether you want to clarify why you want something or if you want to do that task.
Hey Mac! Knowing what to do is vital. Thanks for your comment.
Hey Oscar,
I’ve been using 30 min timers for a while, that 5 min break at the end and long break after 4x sounds like something to try to setup in my timer software.
Just stumbled, as well as the push-ups. I need to do more of those (great for gyuakus!
)
Hey Charles, thank you so much for the stumble
. This pomodoro technique is relly working well for me. Today in 2 hours I’ve already done what usually takes me many hours. The reason is because I’m free from distractions.
Hey Oscar!
You seem to be very focused on systems and planning.
I like the idea of creating a list of important things to do for the day, but stay away from time restrictions and limits. I feel it puts pressure on me. Id rather write down what I want to get done for the day, and do it any way I please, as long as it gets done.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers
Diggy
Hey Diggy, you don’t have to complete the task in 25 minutes. You just have to focus on doing it for 25 minutes, without distractions like emails, chats, etc. I understand this can’t work for everyone, but for me it’s working very well.
Excellent post mate.
Not heard the name of the technique before but I plan my work in 2 hour sessions of 25 minutes 5 Minutes Break 25 Minutes 5 Minutes etc based on research I did back in college with regards concentration, recall and creativity limits of the brain.
Hadn’t realized it was a technique before this post. Nice one.
Hey Jonny, good to hear you were already doing this. Now I have discovered the secret of your success
Another excellent invention by the Italians:)
Seriously though, I like this technique. It’s focused and measureable. Multi-tasking is completely over-rated and probably spawned from the 90s IT industry when management wanted more more more. Good post!
Mike
Thanks Michael, also the 25 minutes it’s something that works very well for me because it’s difficult to maintain focus for a long time.
This is a cool concept, I will give it a try and let you know how it goes! I have always thought I had a pretty good attention span, but I am interested to see if I actually get MORE done using this technique…
Question, can you split one task up into a couple of pomodoros? or can you only work on a certain task for one pomodoro per day?
Thanks Oscar!
~Ross
Ross, you can use as many pomodoros as you like for a task. I suggest you to read the free book that you can find on the pomodoro technique website. Let me know how it goes.
Dear Oscar – thanks for presenting this technique. In my opinion it helps because you’re forced to concentrate on just one issue.
In your post you did write: “I still use software on my computer to keep track of long term projects and ideas, …” Can you please advise some software you use? I don’t have any and would like to get it digital. Maybe you would like to write a post on this topic?
Cheers
Hi Mike, I use things on mac os x. If you are using windows you can try tadalist.com which is free. Feel free to shoot me an email if I can help you further.
Wow, sounds great, the Pomodoro Technique. I have to finisha a task today, so I will give it a try.
Next week I will keep you informed of my progress.
Thanks for sharing it.
Regrads.
If you are anything like me, you’ll see the light
Seriously, it works very well for me.
Hey Oscar, thanks for introducing me to the Pomodoro Technique. I’m trying it out for the next few weeks. I’m gonna give some updates in my blog.
By the way, I’ll be putting your blog in my blogroll. lots of good stuff here. 
Mighty
Thanks a lot Mighty! The pomodoro technique is very effective for me, I hope it works well for you also. And thanks again for the link.
Awesome article Oscar. I’m going to give this technique a try now. Thanks for sharing.
Karlil´s last blog ..Apple Case Study: The Making Of Devoted Followers
Hey Karlil, I’m happy you are going to try it. I hope it’ll work for you
Hey Oscar,
Yet another good post where I sail the same boat
. Of course, I have not known or come across this POMODORO Technique. Thank you for sharing the information and letting us know about such a procedure/process exists with a high amount of followers 
Honestly speaking, I have NOT done this to 100% extent so far and not so procedurally as suggested/explained by Pomodoro. But of late, having been doing the activities of this kind and hence could find the similarity
.
But, surely would try to incorporate the suggestions and put into my day-to-day activities wherever possible and applicable
Cheers,
Raghavan alias Saravanan M.
Raghavan alias Saravanan M´s last blog ..3000 Posts in JavaRanch
Hey Raghavan, let me now how it goes for you if you decide to give it a try. It worked very well for many readers already.
Hey Oscar,
Don’t quite get this line
//The pomodoro technique is highly effective if you work don’t need to move a lot to do your work, for example is good if you work with computers or in an office.//
Can you please explain a bit more? Especially the very first line is what confusing me!
Raghavan alias Saravanan M´s last blog ..3000 Posts in JavaRanch
Sorry for the confusion. What I mean is that the pomodoro technique is effective when your work requires concentration for example, or where it’s easy to procrastinate. It may not be good if you are a bus driver because you can’t stop your bus every 25 minutes
Thank you Oscar for the prompt reply
.
Shall surely keep you posted on the status!!
Raghavan alias Saravanan M´s last blog ..3000 Posts in JavaRanch