A Pomodoro for Every Task: A Technique for Effective Time Planning

Sometimes it can be quite difficult to allocate your time in such a way as to have time to carry out all your plans. A technique called “Pomodoro” can help to significantly simplify the task. The author of the technique, Francesco Cirillo, decided to christen his brainchild that way due to the fact that he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to measure time intervals. Unlike many to-do list management practices, “Pomodoro” offers a measurement system, so this technique is a complete planning system that includes both forecasting the required time and the timing of the work. Learn about an effective method of dealing with procrastination in an article on Estet-portal.

The Essence of the “Pomodoro” Time Planning Technique 

This method – ideal solution for people who have to manage several projects at the same time or have time to do a lot of things in a day. Also, this technique will help get rid of the habit of postponing everything for later.

This time planning technique can be used individually or in groups. The essence of “Pomodoro” is to draw up a plan for the day, which is executed in steps equal to 25 minutes of continuous work and 5 minutes of rest, which are called Pomodoros (in Italian Pomodoro). So, after four tomatoes, you can rest longer, giving this process 15-20 minutes.

After the alarm goes off, the execution is marked with a cross. Thus, it becomes possible to determine how much effort it actually takes to complete a particular task.

In order to try out the “Pomodoro” time planning technique, you will need:

• timer (tomato, or whatever). Ideally, the timer should start and tick;
• two lists: a general to-do list and a list of plans for the day.

To achieve maximum concentration during the execution of a task, the method uses 25-minute segments for the implementation of the planned. Everything you need – choose a goal and break it into short subtasks and subgoals, each of which will take approximately 25 minutes. 

Algorithm for completing the task according to the “Pomodoro” time planning technique: 

1. Select the task to be performed.
2. The timer is set to 25 minutes.
3. Work continues until the timer chimes, this is marked as “x”.
4. A short break is taken (3 to 5 minutes).
5. Every four “pomodori” the break is extended (15-30 minutes).
6. If the work had to be interrupted due to unforeseeable circumstances, the timer is restarted and this previous time is not taken into account and is not marked with "x".

If the task takes less than 25 minutes to complete, combine it with the likes of – so you will spend only one “Pomodoro” for everything together. If a task takes more time to complete than 5-7 tomatoes, it needs to be split into several. To simplify the task, when drawing up a plan for the day, immediately write down the approximate time costs next to the planned cases. Thanks to this time planning technique, tasks will be completed on time and you will forget what procrastination is.