What is the Pomodoro Time Management Technique?

The Pomodoro technique is an incredibly effective time management tool, and one which is both easy to learn and easy to apply to any number of situations. It was created by Italian Francesco Cirillo (chee-rill-oh) way back in the late 80s, after he realised people were better able to estimate how long a task would take if they recorded how they were using their time.

The method is simple. You should pick just one task you want to work on and set a timer for twenty-five to thirty minutes. When the alarm goes off, you should take a two or three minute break before repeating the twenty-five to thirty minutes of work. After repeating this process four times, you should take a longer break and record each session. That longer break should last anywhere between fifteen and thirty minutes.

Working in these short bursts is an incredibly effective use of time. Each twenty-five minute session is just long enough to feel you've done a little work, without feeling overwhelmed. Working for hours at a stretch can feel like a chore, but the little and often approach makes everything seem much more manageable. For that reason, it's brilliant for people who are easily distracted, prone to procrastination or who have a lot of repetitive tasks to get through.

Although you can download time management apps and software, the good old-fashioned paper and pen method of the Pomodoro technique may be more effective. There is something about the act of physically setting a timer, physically recording your results, which gives that added kick of determination.

It's also a good way of working out when you're at your most productive. If you can record what you've achieved, at what time of day, you can discover when you work at your best. It's a form of brain training and self-discipline. If you set a timer and go into your half hour's work, you're less likely to be distracted by emails, social media and the ping of your smartphone. Knowing you have to focus for a short space of time is a fantastic way of staying on track.

It's beautiful for its simplicity, but few time management tactics are quite as effective as the Pomodoro technique. If you want to increase your productivity and find your focus, this is the perfect place to start.