Rules! A Pomodoro Consists of 25 minutes Plus a Five-Minute Break (§2.1).! After Every Four Pomodoros Comes a 15-30 Minute Break (§2.1.2).! The Pomodoro Is Indivisible. There are no half or quarter Pomodoros (§2.1).! If a Pomodoro Begins, It Has to Ring:! If a Pomodoro is interrupted definitively – i.e. the interruption isn’t handled(§2.2.2) – it’s considered void, never begun, and it can’t be recorded with an X(§2.1.1).! If an activity is completed once a Pomodoro has already begun, continue reviewingthe same activity until the Pomodoro rings (§2.1.3).! Protect the Pomodoro (§2.2.3). Inform effectively, negotiate quickly to reschedule theinterruption, call back the person who interrupted you as agreed.! If It Lasts More Than 5-7 Pomodoros, Break It Down (§2.3, §3.11, §4.2). Complexactivities should be divided into several activities.! If It Lasts Less Than One Pomodoro, Add It Up (§2.3, §4.2). Simple tasks can becombined.! Results Are Achieved Pomodoro after Pomodoro (§3.8).! The Next Pomodoro Will Go Better (§3.9).Glossary! Pomodoro. Kitchen timer used to measure 25-minute intervals. The name of the Techniquecomes from the first timer used which was shaped like a tomato (pomodoro in Italian).! Time-boxing. With this technique, once a series of activities has been assigned to a giventime interval, the delivery date for these activities should never change. If necessary, theunfinished activities can be reassigned to the following time interval.! Qualitative estimation error. This error occurs when all the activities needed to reach acertain goal haven’t been identified.! Quantitative estimation error. This error occurs when the estimation of a single activity(or set of activities) is higher (overestimation) or lower (underestimation) than the actualeffort. I think this technique has the potential of creating self-discipline specially for people who work at home. For people who work in offices, it won't be that effective eventhough the technique claims it does work.As usual I include the relevant phrases from the book:If a colleague or study partner comes over, you can politely say you’re busy and can’t be interrupted. (Some people use the humorous expression “I’m in the middle of a Pomodoro.”) Then tell the person that you’d rather call them back in 25 minutes, or in a few hours, or tomorrow, depending on how urgent and important the matter is.Speaking from experience, true emergencies that need to be dealt with instantly are rare in real life. A 25-minute or 2-hour delay (fourPomodoros) is almostalways possible for activities that are commonly considered urgent.A timetable delineates the separation between work time and free time; the latter is best defined as time set aside for non-goal oriented or unplanned activities(15). This leisure time is fuel for our minds.It may happen that an important deadline comes up and you find yourself having to work longer hours. This overtime canbe factored in to your timetable to momentarily increase productivity. Typically to achieve positive results and avoid the risk of the vicious circle mentioned above, you shouldn’t work overtime for more than five days. Establish an ad hoc timetable for this period, and set aside a recoveryperiod to deal with the drop in productivity that will inevitably follow. Likewise, all the weeks in a month aren’t equal: we don’t givethe same effort every single week. All the days in a week aren’t equal: some days you can work 8 hours, others only 5 if you need to travel or go to the dentist; in still other days you may work 10 or 12 hours (less often, hopefully).“Am I going fast enough?” these are signs of full immersion in what we might call the Becoming Syndrome.
What do You think about La Tecnica Del Pomodoro (2000)?
Perhaps one of the easiest to implement GTD techniques I've come across. Highly recommend!
—tori
Very excellent technique! It really works and is effective! I'm loving it!
—kicku
Simple and practical! I really enjoyed this! Now time to try it out!
—lisanelso
Compelling theory. Now to see how it pans out in practice.
—sadie
