Using Tomatoes for Time Management

Most of us struggle with time management and time completion.  Whether it’s a big term paper at the end of a semester or an ongoing project at work, it can be quite a challenge to figure out how to get it all done.  Sometimes the task feels so overwhelming that we don’t even start.  

In addition, if we feel like we have a lot of tasks to complete, we often try to multitask and work on all of them simultaneously.  This causes us to feel pulled in too many directions, and we often will not get as much down if we would have just focused on one task at a time.

One method for effective time management is known as the Pomodoro Method, which uses blocks of time to help focus and finish tasks one at a time.  “Pomodoro” means tomato in Italian and the technique was named by the inventor, Francesco Cirillo, for the type of timer he used, a tomato timer.

To use this method effectively, focus on one task at a time for a predetermined amount of time and then take small breaks in between each set.  The method usually uses blocks of 25 minutes with a 5-minute break in between each block of time.  

For example, let’s say you have a 10-page term paper to write.  Rather than trying to do the whole paper at once, this method suggests you break up the paper in 25-minute chunks.  Set a timer for 25 minutes and then work on the paper, and only the paper, for the next 25 minutes.  When the timer goes off, set it again for 5 minutes and take a break.  After the break, go back and continue to work on the paper.  Continue this for 4 chunks of time and then take a more extended break of 15 to 30 minutes.  Make sure to keep track of how much you can get down in each time chunk so you know how many it will take to complete the whole task.

With this method, it is important to pay attention to the timer and take breaks when the timer goes off.  It can be tempting to keep pushing past the timer, especially if you are in a groove, but you are training your brain to pay attention to one task at a time for 25 minutes, so make sure you are only doing one task for the 25 minutes.  As with any new skill, this method can take a little practice, but stick with it and see how task completion improves!

For more information check out The Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo.

-Elisabeth Chipps, LCPC, LPC