The Pomodoro Technique

Introduction

I've been using the Pomodoro Technique for several years and almost every single workday because it really helps me avoid distractions, stay focused and also accurately assess how much I can get done in a single day.

It also helps me get started on a task when I just feel a ton of resistance and don't want to do it. It makes me stop procrastinating and get some work done.

How it works

The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity strategy where you work for 20 minutes straight undisturbed, and then take a 5-minute break afterwards. Each 25-minute session is called a Pomodoro.

After you've done it for 4 times in a row (so you've done 25 minutes with a 5-minute break, 4 times), it's recommended that you take a longer break (15 - 30 minutes) and give yourself a little bit of a rest.

This is based on the idea that if you work for 25 minutes straight without any distractions, then you will actually end up getting work done faster and more efficiently even though you're taking those 5-minute breaks.

How to use the technique

Now I want to show you how to actually use this simple technique in your day to stop getting distracted and stay focused. You can get more done.

I find the Pomodoro Technique is the most powerful when you actually plan out your Pomodoros in advance: if you just take a few minutes to plan your sessions, you're going to get the most bang for your buck.

What I like to do is look at my day on the calendar, see what meetings and appointments are already scheduled, and then see how many Pomodoro sessions I can actually fit in my workday.

Planning your sessions in advance is always better because it forces you to evaluate the time you need for tasks, allowing you to set boundaries and improve your planning skills over time.

Finding time in a full day

I also love using the Pomodoro Technique when I have a really full to-do list because you can very quickly see where you've overcommitted and what you need to change.

You might look at the day and see that you cannot get all your tasks done, and it gives you a chance to reorganize things in advance.

Either you realize you need to work a little bit longer that day, reschedule a meeting, or reprioritize your to-do list and reset your expectations.

How to optimize the Pomodoro technique

The limitation of the Pomodoro Technique is that it doesn't really talk about the break as much. The work time is somewhat arbitrary.

This is where we can make a few adjustments to improve its effectiveness.

Better break durations

We should be working for the ideal amount of time and then taking breaks for the ideal amount of time.

If we want high output over a long period, the balance between work and rest is crucial.

As a rule of thumb, I generally stop working once I feel like my efficiency is dropping below 50%. Pushing beyond that leads to longer recovery times.

For break duration, I divide the work period by 3 to 4. So if I work for 30–40 minutes, I take a 10–15 minute break.

As the day goes on, work durations naturally shorten due to lower energy levels. The goal is to maintain consistent focus throughout the day rather than having a highly productive morning followed by an inefficient evening.

Better break activities

What we do during breaks matters. If you spend it scrolling through social media, you might not recover effectively and could still feel exhausted.

Instead, breaks should include active relaxation: meditation, light housework, organizing, or taking a walk to refresh your mind.

Walking is especially helpful because it relaxes the eyes and aids in connecting ideas casually, improving overall cognitive function.

Conclusion

The improved Pomodoro Technique keeps the benefits of focused work while eliminating its limitations regarding break times and arbitrary time constraints.

Instead of rigidly sticking to set time blocks, we should calibrate work and break durations based on focus levels, energy, and tasks.