Everything you need to know

What is the pomodoro technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management philosophy developed by Francesco Cirillo. It’s based on working in 25-minute intervals and using a timer to keep yourself accountable. The name comes from the Italian word for “tomato 🍅” (the kitchen timer that Cirillo first used was shaped like a tomato).

"I discovered that you could learn how to improve your effectiveness and be better able to estimate how long a task to complete by recording how to utilize your time" (Francesco Cirillo)

How to use the pomodoro technique?

Step 1️⃣ Pick 1 task to work on – Just one. No multi-tasking–it’s less productive.
Step 2️⃣ Work only on that task for 25 minutes – I don’t care if all your roommates suddenly decide to build a slip-n-slide down your dorm hallway or have a spontaneous Nerf battle. You don’t even think about it until the session is up.
Step 3️⃣ Make note of distractions – This part is key. Whenever you think of another task that you need to work on or something you’d rather be doing, write it down on a piece of paper next to you.
Step 4️⃣ Take a 5-minute break, repeat steps 1-3 three more times, and then take a longer break before starting again – Use your break to stretch, get a drink of water, or take a short walk. Regular breaks make you healthier and more productive.

What is the effect?

It reframes output-based tasks to input-based.🤯 A task like “write a ten-page paper on the decline and fall of the Roman Empire” is huge and intimidating. You really have no idea how long that will take, and the sheer size of it is enough to bring the procrastination demons to the surface. The Pomodoro Technique avoids this problem by setting a fixed amount of time-based input for each task. You can do almost anything for 25 minutes, after all, particularly when you have a timer to remind you it will be over soon.

Coded by Jennifer Schneider