Glossary
Pomodoro technique, explained
The Pomodoro technique is working in focused 25-minute intervals, each followed by a 5-minute break, with a longer break after four. Francesco Cirillo developed it in the late 1980s, named after a tomato-shaped kitchen timer.
What it means
Each 25-minute interval is one "pomodoro". During it you do one task and nothing else; if something comes up, you write it down and return to the task. The short breaks keep attention fresh and make starting easier, because 25 minutes feels small.
How to do it in a calendar
- Put the task in a time block (say 90 minutes), then work inside it in pomodoros.
- Three pomodoros with breaks fill a 90-minute block.
- Tick the block off when the pomodoros are done.
An example
A student books "Statistics revision" from 14:00 to 15:30 and runs three pomodoros inside it, with the phone on the other side of the room.
Common mistakes
- Breaking flow. If you are deep in a task, skipping a break is fine.
- Pomodoros without a plan. The technique decides how to work, not what to work on.
Where it comes from
Francesco Cirillo, The Pomodoro Technique (first developed in the late 1980s; book 2006, revised 2018).
Questions
Does it have to be 25 minutes?
No. Many people use 50/10 for deeper work. The point is a fixed sprint and a real break.
Plan your week on Cutline
Free forever for planning, XP, streaks and the Arena. Reserve your @name now.