1. What is the Pomodoro Technique?
I first read about the Pomodoro Technique a few years ago in productivity books and articles. It’s a method developed in the 1980s by a university student, Francesco Cirillo, to help him focus on his work and also take regular breaks.
Here is a step-by-step description of how the technique works:
1. Choose a task you want to focus on.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work on the task until the timer goes off.
4. Take a short break (usually 5 minutes).
5. After three or four 25-minute periods, take a longer break (typically 15-30 minutes).
6. Repeat the process as needed.
Some people decide to make the focus times shorter or longer, depending on what works best for them.
2. I Successfully Used the Pomodoro Technique for Several Months
I regularly used the Pomodoro Technique for about 6 months after I learned about it. I found it worked for me, keeping me on track and in focus while I was working on projects.
And then I stopped using it. Why? I have no idea.
Maybe I thought I’d outgrown it, didn’t need it, or just got out of the habit. Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m often getting distracted when working, and I’m frustrated with myself.
3. “We Have Met the Enemy, and He is Us”
I’ve come to realize that I am the biggest source of my distractions.
While I’m working I get impulses to get up, refill my drink, do a chore, get a snack, or go to the bathroom. It’s become worse since I got a standing desk — it’s too easy to just walk away.
Occasionally, I don’t even realize what I’ve done until I’m away from my desk. It’s like I go into automatic mode and then wake up doing something besides what I intended to do.
I rarely have problems with external distractions. I work in my studio in the back of our home. I partially close the door when focusing, so my wife knows not to bother me. I use focus modes to eliminate distractions from apps.
4. The Pomodoro Technique Keeps Me Focused
I started using the technique again a couple of weeks ago. It’s made a world of difference in helping me to focus. I think it’s effective for me to use because:
• Setting a timer makes me set a specific intention to focus on what I intend to work on for a specific length of time.
• I tell myself that I can’t get up until the timer is finished when my mind wants to distract me by getting up and doing something.
• I know I have a break coming up, so I tell myself I can do whatever I want to when my break starts.
5. How to Time Your Focus Sessions and Breaks
There are several ways you can time your focus session.
• I typically use my Apple Watch timer. I keep the complication for the timer on my watch face, so it’s easy to use, or just press the crown to invoke Siri and speak the number, and she automatically starts the timer. My watch vibrates when the time is up.
I already wear an Apple Watch every day, and it’s easy to use. Using my Apple Watch also has the advantage that wherever I go on break, I’ll know when the break is over.
• Use a timer app. There are many apps available on the App Store specifically designed to be Pomodoro timers. I’ve experimented with Session. It’s available for macOS and iOS. It’s also available on Setapp if you have a subscription.
The Session app shows a pie chart graphic and the timer counting down in the menu bar. I like that feature, but for me, a negative is that when I finish the session a full window comes up with my focus session data. I’d rather just use the menu bar. I don’t want the hassle of having to close a window to continue.
• Use a stand-alone timer. Some people like to use a stand-alone timer, like a kitchen timer. A timer that many have recommended is the Time Timer, available at Amazon.
6. Give the Pomodoro Technique A Try
If you haven’t used it, I encourage you to give the Pomodoro Technique a try when you want to focus. It’s a simple, practical, and effective way to set your intention to do focused work, get to work, and take regular breaks.
Use whatever method works for you to keep track of your focus sessions and breaks — your Apple Watch, a timer app, or a stand-alone timer. If one doesn’t quite fit, try another.
Using the Pomodoro Technique helps me to stay on focus for 25-minute blocks of time. If it works the same for you, then you’ve found a great new tool you can integrate into your workflow. If it doesn’t work for you, there’s no shame attached to dropping it. We’re all different and one approach doesn’t work for everybody.