The process of the Pomodoro Technique is made up of 5 stages: planning, tracking, recording, processing and visualizing. A Pomodoro is 30 minutes long and includes 25 minutes of work and a 5 minute break. Those using the Pomodoro Technique choose tasks they want to work on at the beginning of the day, prioritize them and place them on a to-do list in the order they want to work on them.
Once that’s done, the timer is set and work begins. The segment can’t be interrupted or divided. If it is interrupted, it’s considered to be void and is started over. When the timer goes off, an “X” is placed next to the task that was worked on and the 5 minute break time begins. The break time lets the individual disconnect and allows the mind to assimilate what’s been learned in the last 25 minutes. It’s also a great time for the quick stretching or walk that most don’t get during the course of the work day. The point of the break is absolutely no significant mental activity.
Once the break is over, it’s time for the next segment, or Pomodoro, and the timer is set for 25 minutes again and work begins and continues until the timer goes off again. The process continues with a longer break, taken every four Pomodoros. These longer breaks lasts anywhere from 15-30 minutes and are used for checking email or voice mail or can be used for the same purpose as the shorter breaks. Whatver the longer breaks are used for they are not used for focusing on the tasks that were worked on during each Pomodoro. Pomodoros continue in the same fashion until the task at hand is complete and can then be crossed of the to-do list. If a task is finished before the timer goes off, time is used to review what was done or to make improvements until the timer goes off.
More on the Pomodoro Technique in the next post.