The Pomodoro Method: A Simple Way to Get More Done

Let’s talk tomatoes—well, sort of. Not the kind from your garden, but pomodoro (Italian for “tomato”), the simple time-management method that can help you focus and finally make a dent in your to-do list.

Created in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, the Pomodoro Method is built around a simple idea: work in focused bursts, then take short breaks. Cirillo famously used a red, tomato-shaped kitchen timer and found that 25 minutes of uninterrupted work followed by a five-minute break helped him beat procrastination and get more done.

I talk with a lot of busy people about their to-do lists—and how life’s pressures push those tasks to “tomorrow”… until they disappear altogether. The Pomodoro Method gives your list structure and momentum so items actually get finished.

Here’s how it works: pick one task, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work on that task only. When the timer dings, stand up, stretch, and grab a drink for five minutes. Then sit back down and start another 25-minute session. If you finish the first task, choose the next one. If it’s a bigger project, keep going.

A typical goal is four 25-minute work sessions (each followed by a five-minute break). After the fourth “pomodoro,” take a longer break—about 20–30 minutes.

When you look at your list, it’s usually the small tasks that pile up and start to feel overwhelming. One pomodoro is perfect for knocking out a few quick wins—like scheduling a doctor’s appointment, emailing an agenda to the community group you lead, and moving laundry to the dryer. In 25 minutes, you’ve cleared multiple items (and the laundry is a nice bonus).

The point is sustained focus. During your 25 minutes, resist the urge to open extra tabs, check notifications, or “quickly” do something else that pulls you off track.

And if you don’t have two solid hours? That’s okay. Do you have one hour—or even 30 minutes? A single pomodoro can help you start (or finish) something that’s been sitting on your list. You can be focused and productive—you may just need the structure the Pomodoro Method provides.

Content provided by Women Belong member  Kirsten Ramos