That “longer break” is usually on the order of 15-30 minutes, whatever it takes to make you feel recharged and ready to start another 25-minute work session. Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper.Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer).Here’s how to get started with Pomodoro, in five steps: Cirillo’s book, The Pomodoro Technique, is a helpful read, but Cirillo himself doesn’t hide the core of the method behind a purchase. Beyond that, there are no special apps, books, or tools required (though plenty of them out there if you’d like to go that route-more on that later). The Pomodoro Technique is probably one of the simplest productivity methods to implement. You also get to take regular breaks that bolster your motivation and keep you creative. You work in short sprints, which makes sure you’re consistently productive. With time it can even help improve your attention span and concentration. This trains your brain to focus for short periods and helps you stay on top of deadlines or constantly-refilling inboxes. The methodology is simple: When faced with any large task or series of tasks, break the work down into short, timed intervals (called “Pomodoros”) that are spaced out by short breaks. Cirillo named the system “Pomodoro” after the tomato-shaped timer he used to track his work as a university student. The Pomodoro Technique was invented in the early 1990s by developer, entrepreneur, and author Francesco Cirillo. However, we’ve never done a deep dive into how it works and how to get started with it.

You even voted it your favorite productivity method. We gave a brief description of it a few years back, and highlighted its distraction-fighting, brain training benefits around the same time. We’ve definitely discussed the Pomodoro Technique before.

Let’s break it down and see how you can apply it to your work. If you have a busy job where you’re expected to produce, it’s a great way to get through your tasks. This popular time-management method can help you power through distractions, hyper-focus and get things done in short bursts, while taking frequent breaks to come up for air and relax. There always seems to be something else to do: a drawer that could be organized, a phone call to your sister or checking flight prices on a trip you have no intention of taking.Įnter: the Pomodoro Technique. Getting stuff done is hard, especially if you are self-employed or need to do things for yourself that you usually put off, like paying bills.

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