The Pomodoro Technique: Time Management with Tomatoes

Is it just me or do you feel that sometimes you’re sitting at your desk, trying to tackle a considerable amount of tasks but your mind is just as mixed as a cocktail?!

One thing that changed my time management is… thinking in tomatoes rather than hours. Seems weird?!

Well, The Pomodoro Technique (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato 🍅) is a popular time management method that asks you to alternate pomodoros — focused work sessions — with frequent short breaks to promote sustained concentration and avoid mental fatigue.

While the core of the Pomodoro Technique is the 25-minute work sprints, there are also 3 rules that can help maximize the effectiveness of each interval:

1. Divide complex projects: If a task requires more than four Pomodoros, it should be broken down into smaller, actionable steps. Following this rule ensures clear progress on projects and prevents the feeling that you have too much to handle;

2. Combine small tasks: Tasks that can be completed in less than one Pomodoro should be grouped together with other simple tasks. For instance, activities like “setting an appointment” or “reading an article,” can be done in a single session.

3. Respect the Pomodoro: Once a Pomodoro is set, it should be allowed to complete without interruption. It is crucial not to break the time unit, especially by checking incoming emails, team chats, or text messages. Instead, any ideas, tasks, or requests that arise should be noted down for later review.

Francesco Cirillo, the creator of the Pomodoro Technique, recommends that you track interruptions (internal or external) as they occur and reflect on how to avoid them in your next session. Maybe you have to change your status on channels to “Not Disturb”, or maybe you just can’t have your phone around you — it’s very important to get rid of distractions while you sprint.

Try the Pomodoro Technique if you…

• Struggle to stay focused and easily get distracted;

• Feel overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list;

• Find it challenging to manage your time effectively and often end up procrastinating;

• Have lots of open-ended work that could take unlimited amounts of time;

• Wish to cultivate better time management habits and improve your overall efficiency;

• Are overly optimistic when it comes to how much you can get done in a day;

• Enjoy gamified goal-setting;

• Really enjoy tomatoes.

🍅Tomatoes all the way!🍅