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Time Management: Pomodoro Technique

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is not just the timer! In the late 1980s, Francesco Cirillo discovered the optimal focus technique while attempting to prepare for his own exam using a timer shaped like a Pomodoro (tomato in English). Francesco Cirillo came up with a series of incremental processes, practices, solutions and tools which together make up the Pomodoro® Technique that enable you to:

  • Be gentle with yourself: you will develop a conscious relationship with Time.
  • Turn time into an ally: you will use time as a factor to improve individual and team productivity.

 

How to use the Pomodoro Technique:

  1. Choose a task
  2. Set the a timer to 25 minutes
  3. Work on the task until the timer rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
  4. Take a short break (Start with 5 minutes)
  5. Every 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break

Adapted from "The Pomodoro® Technique" by Cirillo & Associates (see link below).

 

Timer Recommendations

Trying to stay away from distractions? We have curated several options to assist you:

  • Working on the Health Sciences Campus -- Phoenix? We have (2) Cube Timers available for checkout in the Health Sciences Library to minimize any distractions from your devices.
  • We have curated some of our favorite 25 minute (or longer) ambient videos on our Pomodoro Timers page.
  • Check out the Tomato Timers link below to set your own Pomodoro-shaped timer

Pomodoro Technique Infographic