Now that I have decided to try out the Pomodoro Technique I have designed my own Pomodoro Task Tracker as a combo of David’s excellent Task Timer and elements from the Pomodoro Technique. I have borrowed design elements from David’s sheet; it’s just so visually appealing.

For the Pomodoro Technique  I use Focus Booster in stead of a standard kitchen timer. I think it’s annoying to listen to the ticking sound all day!

So here is a desciption of how I use it: When I start my day, I fill out the start time, day, and date information and set up the time for the day in the appropiate boxes. I then write down all my known to-do’s for the day, and then I start the 25-minutes timer. When this time has elapsed, I get beeped by the timer and immediately stop working. I mark the completed Pomodoro on the sheet, and take a five minute break. If I get distracted during the 25-minute period I mark it with a “/” if it is an internal distraction, e.g check mail, call mom, order tickets for game etc. and write it down under Unplanned & Urgent if I think it can’t be put off. I then keep working.

If one my colleagues walk in and wants to talk with me I try to apply the Inform, Negotiate and Call Back strategy. This enable me to control external interruptions by re-scheduling them in a later Pomodoro. I mark it with a “-” to mark it as a external interruption.

This goes on for a few hours. For every four Pomodoro I take a longer break for 15-30 minutes.

Visual Example:

Download:

• Download the Pomodoro Task Tracker (Blue version)
• Download the Pomodoro Task Tracker (B/W version)

The technique consists of five simple steps:

1. Choose a task to be accomplished
2. Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is a kitchen timer)
3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
4. Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
5. Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break (15-30 minutes)
   

For more information take a look at http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/.