Indeed while scouring through various productivity tips, you’ve often encountered the “tomato technique.” In such articles, this technique is mentioned as very useful and practical – it uses the idea of deep diving and focusing on the task. But is it as functional as they say?
The genesis of the technique.
Francesco Cirillo, entrepreneur, mentor, and software developer, became famous for inventing the so-called tomato method in the 1980s. The technique got its name from the use of a timer in the original technique. It was a kitchen timer shaped like a ripe tomato, helping housewives time their cooking. Because of this striking image, the technique was called – the tomato technique.
Now you no longer need to use a physical timer, although the technique owner said holding the timer in your hand meant you were ready to act. But of course, now you can use your smartphone and the built-in timer.
Other Tools
In addition to the usual timer or the timer built into the phone, we now have many options and tools to implement the technique in reality. There can be different applications for timing and a particular task tracker to set goals and tasks before starting to work.
One popular application is Focus To-Do, which is based on the same idea as the Pomodoro technique and helps to time yourself without getting distracted by other tasks.
Also, the famous Pomodoro Tracker Widget is more convenient – since you don’t need to stay in the app to time yourself – the widget will be on your screen.
You can also find a handy app by yourself. In addition, you can always find videos with a timer and music-promoting concentration on YouTube.
The essence of the technique.
So how does one carry out this technique? It’s actually quite simple.
Step one: Set a goal. You choose a task that you need to perform and set yourself and your workplace.
Step Two: Timer. You set the twenty-five-minute timer and dedicate all twenty-five minutes to your task. Stay focused, focus intensely, and perform your desired action.
Step Three: Breaks. At the end of the twenty-five minutes – set yourself five minutes of time for a break. You can refresh your glass of water or let your eyes rest silently. Afterward, repeat the twenty-five minutes of work repeatedly, and give yourself five minutes of rest. Every half hour spent is a small tomato.
Step Four: The Big Tomato. After you finish the three small tomatoes, you work for another twenty-five minutes and take a big break for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will replenish your energy to get back to your intense work.
So how does this technique help improve productivity?
“Pomodoro Technique” improves productivity by increasing focus and reducing fatigue. Here’s how it works:
The first stage, which includes a small tomato – is to improve your focus on the task – starting small, you become more and more immersed in the study, and the stimulus factor is reduced.
The second stage, with small breaks, is needed to prevent fatigue. When you just start to get tired or bored with your task, there is a break that will give you a rest to pick yourself up and get to work again with renewed vigor.
Soon after you start using the technique, your ability to manage time will increase because you will know approximately how many tomatoes different tasks will take. It will be easier to allocate time and prioritize.
Also, because you have specific time slots, you can perform the steps of a big task in parts – this will cause a sense of accomplishment in each time slot. A sense of accomplishment will increase your motivation and productivity.
Who can effectively use the Pomodoro technique?
The Tomato technique is ideal for programmers and developers. Working in this field requires a high degree of concentration as well as the ability to manage time effectively when dealing with complex tasks and issues. One of the main problems programmers face is long periods of uninterrupted work, which can lead to overwork. The Tomato technique can break up the workday into short intervals, making it easier to manage tasks, improve concentration and reduce stress levels.
The Tomato technique can benefit writers and journalists who require extended time to create and write. The method helps improve productivity by focusing on a specific task for a particular amount of time. The Pomodoro technique allows writers and journalists to manage their time more effectively, clarifies the writing process, and helps combat procrastination.
Teachers and educators can also benefit from the Tomato technique. They are often faced with a heavy workload that includes planning lessons, reviewing student work, and preparing for class. The Tomato technique can help them better organize their time and tasks. It can also help maintain energy levels and concentration throughout the day.
As a result, we’ve figured out how the tomato technique came to be, who created it, and how to use it. We also learned exactly how it improves productivity and who can use it.
