Measure tasks in Pomodoros. Effective planning is easier than you think

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Today I would like to talk about a not so widespread, but very, very promising planning method - Pomodoro planning. Yes, you heard right how the Parrot in the children's cartoon measured the Boa constrictor in himself, and the author suggests measuring the time in tomatoes.

Technique did not arise out of nowhere, there is also scientific research and practice behind it. It can be used individually, as well as in groups or pairs. Why tomato? Because the author used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to measure periods of time. In short, the technique consists in drawing up a plan for the day, performed in steps equal to 25 minutes of continuous work and five minutes of rest, which are called Pomodoros (Pomodoro in Italian). After four tomatoes, it's time for a longer rest (15-20 minutes).

After the call of the Pomodoro, it is necessary to mark the execution with a cross, this will help to find out how much effort was actually spent on a particular task, forced distractions are marked with an apostrophe.

Since, unlike many to-do list management practices, in this case a measurement system is proposed, this technique is indeed a complete planning system, which includes forecasting the required time and deadlines for completing work. Moreover, feedback helps to improve your planning skills, and constant communication over time stimulates concentration and teaches you to value time.

I will list at the beginning everything you need:

• Tomato, or any other timer (but still the authors insist on the great importance of having a physically wound timer and ticking).
• Two lists: a list with a plan for the day and a general to-do list.

Now I will list the rules for tomato planning:

• Each Tomato consists of 25 minutes of work and five minutes of rest.
• Every four Pomodoros are followed by a 15-30 minute rest.
• The tomato is indivisible. Half a tomato does not exist.
• If the Tomato has started, it should ring.
• If you had to interrupt work in an unplanned manner, the Pomodoro must be wound up from the beginning. Such a tomato is not counted (no cross).
• If you finished the task before the Pomodoro rang, you should analyze how and what you just did before the call.
• Protect your Tomatoes. Reschedule calls, make appointments for another time (and allocate Pomodoros for this). You must not allow your Tomato to be cut. It is indivisible.
• Any task longer than 5-7 Pomodoros should be divided into several.
• If the task obviously takes less time, combine it with similar ones and spend one Pomodoro on everything together.
• Every next Tomato will go better!