Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity technique designed to help focus attention on a single task. Developed by Francesco Cirillo, the technique is named after the shape of his kitchen timer (a tomato).

The method works as follows: (1) Set a kitchen timer (or alternative) for 25 minutes (2) focus on a single task for the entire time (3) take a break of 5 minutes after this burst of work. If you are not productive during this time, you have permission to stop and do something else.

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Key Insights & Principles

Productivity

1. It can take time to get focused on a task.
2. We are often resistant to getting started on a task (also called procrastination).
3. If we can get started and focus on a task even for a few minutes, we often keep going.

1. Remove distractions.
2. Commit to focusing on a single task for 25 minutes and nothing else.
3. Just do it.

Book References