# Pomodoro Technique

> A focus method built around timed work intervals, short breaks and a longer break after several intervals.

## What it means

The method as described by Duke University’s Academic Resource Center (verified, https://arc.duke.edu/pomodoro-technique): developed “in the late 1980’s by Francesco Cirillo”; “Set a timer for 25 minutes”; “Take a 5-minute break”; “Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer 15-30 minute break”; the same page mentions longer splits such as 52 and 17 minutes. Why people adapt the lengths, and what to do with interruptions mid-pomodoro. The name is Francesco Cirillo’s trademark: describe the method,

## A practical example

Work for twenty-five minutes, take five minutes away from the task, and use a longer break after the fourth round.

## Put it into practice

- Name the concrete situation before applying the label. Pomodoro Technique is useful only when it changes a choice, boundary or next action.
- Make the state visible: write the owner, time, source or stopping condition down instead of relying on memory.
- Review what happened. Keep the part that reduced ambiguity and change the part that added ceremony without helping the work.

## How it relates to Plexii

the Focus timer’s Keep going card offers 25 min (pomodoro) after a five-minute start (/help/home-widget-focus-timer); the Daily Focus and Weekly Plan starters include a Timer set to 25:00 (/help/widget-timer, /help/desk-templates). Link /tools/focus-timer.

## Sources

- [Duke Academic Resource Center: Pomodoro Technique](https://arc.duke.edu/pomodoro-technique)