Tomato, To-mah-to, Potato, Pomodoro!

Oh the humble tomato timer. Once a fixture on kitchen counters everywhere; now something you’re more likely to find on the shelves of a vintage shop. Still, this retro device was the inspiration behind a popular and effective productivity strategy. The Pomodoro Technique is inspired by the tomato-shaped timers of yore and named after the Italian word for tomato. It’s a method of organizing your time into concentrated sprints of work interspersed with periodic breaks. It’s designed to help you stay focused and get things done, and it works!

The Pomodoro method is a great strategy for anyone who struggles with executive functioning skills, time management, attention difficulties, or procrastination. You can use it for homework assignments, work projects, or even chores around the house – anything that requires your focused time and attention without distractions. [I’m using it right now as I write this blog post!] You don’t need a physical timer to do the Pomodoro Technique. Plenty of apps abound for this purpose; we share our recommendations at the end of this piece. Your regular phone timer will do the trick as well.

How the Pomodoro Technique works

Whenever you have a productive task to work on, set a timer for 25 minutes of focused, heads-down time. This block of time is referred to as a pomodoro. After 25 minutes are up, take a 5 minute break. After three or four pomodoros, take a longer 15-20 minute break. To get the most out of the Pomodoro Technique, follow these two guiding principles:

1. Stay laser focused during your pomodoros.

   This means closing your inbox (unless you’re using your pomodoro time to chip away towards inbox zero), turning off any phone notifications, and resisting the urge to jump around to different tasks or other distractions. Part of the beauty of this method is that the 25-minute time interval feels both manageable and significant. You’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish in just 25 minutes. [My first pomodoro is currently clocking in with a minute and thirty seconds remaining.]

2. Take your breaks.

   The breaks, both short and long, are your chance to stretch, grab a glass of water, or get a breath of fresh air. The Pomodoro Technique hinges on these breaks because they give you the energy you need to stay focused during your next stretch of work.

For some, the Pomodoro Technique is a tool to draw on for a project or assignment they’re struggling with. If you’ve been procrastinating or just feeling stuck, setting that first 25-minute timer can be the impetus you need to get started. For others, the Pomodoro Technique can provide structure for an entire workday or a full afternoon of homework. [Pardon me while I go take my 5 minute break!]

Recommended Pomodoro Technique apps

[I’m back for my next pomodoro!] Although you don’t need any special apps to use the Pomodoro Technique, an app can definitely come in handy. By using an app, you won’t need to rely on setting your own timers or tallying pomodoros between longer breaks. You also won’t risk getting distracted by notifications on your phone when you go to start or stop your timer. There are lots of apps to choose from for both desktop and mobile-based time tracking. We recommend choosing an app that is minimalist in style so that you can focus on the task at hand instead of fiddling around with settings. For Macs, iPhones, and iPads, we love Flow. It’s easy to use, unobtrusive, and the desktop version tucks away into your computer’s task bar. For an Android compatible app, Pomodoro Timer is a great choice. For a web-based tool that can be used on any device, Pomodor is simple and unfussy.

The Pomodoro Technique is a great tool to try wherever you’re at in your productivity journey. Whether you’re a productivity-hack maven or you’re a bit more free-flowing in your workstyle, give it a try! It might be just the thing you need to get more things done and feel calmer in the process. [And with 7 seconds remaining in my second pomodoro, I’m off for another break!]