Today I would like to talk about a not so widespread, but very, very promising method of planning — Tomato planning. Yes, you heard right, as a Parrot in a children's cartoon measured a Boa constrictor in itself, so the author suggests measuring time in tomatoes.

The technique did not arise from scratch, there is also scientific research and practice behind it. It can be used both individually and in groups or pairs. Why tomato? Because the author used a kitchen timer in the shape of a tomato to measure time intervals. In short, the technique consists in drawing up a plan for the day, executed in steps equal to 25 minutes of continuous work and five minutes of rest, which are called Tomatoes (Pomodoro in Italian). After four tomatoes, it's time for a longer rest (15-20 min.).

After the Tomato call, the execution should be marked with a cross, this will help to find out how much effort actually went into this or that task, forced distractions are marked with an apostrophe.

Since, unlike many to-do list management practices, a measurement system is proposed in this case, this technique is really a full-fledged planning system that includes forecasting the required time and deadlines for work. Moreover, feedback helps to improve your planning skills, and constant communication with time stimulates concentration and teaches you to appreciate time.

I will list at the beginning everything that you will 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.

Scheduling with a timer is a simple and effective option

what does it mean to measure time in tomatoes

Now I will list the rules of tomato planning:

Each Tomato consists of 25 minutes of work and five minutes of rest
After every four Tomatoes, a 15-30 minute rest follows
The tomato is indivisible. There is no half tomato.
If the Tomato has started, it should ring.
If you had to interrupt work in an unexpected way, the Tomato should be started from the beginning. Such a tomato is not taken into account (a cross is not placed).
If you finished the task before the Tomato rang, you should analyze how and what you just did before the bell rang.
Protect your Tomatoes. Reschedule calls, schedule meetings for another time (and allocate Tomatoes for this). You should not let your Tomato be cut. He is indivisible.
Any task longer than 5-7 Tomatoes should be divided into several.
If the task obviously takes less time, combine it with similar ones and spend one Tomato on everything together.
Every next Tomato will go better!

Tomato technique, Francesco Cirillo