Time and Tomatoes

How to Use the Pomodoro Technique to Get More Done

Tomatoes have been on my mind a lot lately. My daughter is planning an elaborate garden, and tomatoes are high on the list. What do tomatoes have to do with project management? Most time management junkies like me have heard of the Pomodoro technique—a method of focusing your work into 25-minute chunks. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato, the shape of the kitchen timer used by the technique’s originator, Francesco Cirilio (2006). Cirilio did not dread a time crunch—he enlisted time as his partner in the work environment. I love the positive attitude. The Pomodoro technique is just as much about mindset as it is about getting things done.

Photo by Avin CP on Unsplash

We are often barraged with distractions and research indicates that most people are not good multitaskers. It’s a good idea to take certain steps before you start your single-minded task for the day. Like the mise en place concept that chefs use to get everything ready before creating a wonderful meal. That might mean closing out your email, silencing your phone, and maximizing your word processor screen. You might even try to visualize what you will do if the doorbell rings or a child screams “Mom, mom, mom!” Then, when the distractions and potential interruptions are taken care of, you start your Pomodoros.

Here’s how Pomodoros work:

1.      Choose a single task—like writing an article.

2.      Estimate how many Pomodoros (25-minute chunks) a task will take.

3.      Set your timer.

4.      Work 25 minutes without interruption.

5.      Take a 5-minute break.

6.      Start with the next Pomodoro.

I often use Pomodoros when I am writing, which is something I love to do. But even if you love your task, you must take the 5 minute breaks. Breaks are essential to your creativity. Think of it like interval training. You work hard and focused for 25 minutes and then you MUST rest. The break is an important part of this process.

The ideal period of time is 25 minutes, but I use different lengths of time for different tasks. I like 15 minutes for my morning writing. I have a dear writing friend that says your chunks of time should mean something special. If 18 is your lucky number, you could use 18:18 or if your anniversary is 8.20.2020, you could use 20:20. You can start small, just one 5-minute chunk a day, working yourself up to a full 25-minute Pomodoro.

Pomodoros can also be used for tasks you dislike. Like cleaning out your inbox. It makes it seem more like a game. Just promise yourself that you’ll do one Pomodoro. After that, you can quit and go back to your email, your experiments, or you can go outside and plant that garden.