Pomodoro Method: Why It Could Work For You

We often struggle to be productive and keep motivated especially when we have a ton of tasks to accomplish, leading us to experience burnout and mental fatigue. 

This has been exasperated as more and more companies switch to remote work because it is challenging to manage our time without a daily routine. Time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can be beneficial in these situations. This technique allows you to crank through your work, especially if you have a large and varied to-do list. 

Go here to find the *perfect* Pomodoro app and timer.

How Does the Pomodoro Technique Work?

The Pomodoro technique is a popular productivity system that was developed in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. The Pomodoro kitchen timer is a simple timer that rings after 25 minutes. Cirillo used this timer while he was working to improve his focus and break up his work into manageable blocks of time. 

The Pomodoro technique allows you to work in short bursts of time with short breaks in between. This time management technique gives you a sense of accomplishment as you complete tasks, which can boost your motivation and drive. Pomodoro technique is highly effective as it helps you effectively manage your time and work on a task without distractions. It is also beneficial as it helps you become more disciplined and think about your work. This technique is designed to combat multitasking and improve concentration. It is much more difficult to multitask than it looks and multitasking leads to distraction and fatigue. Pomodoro technique is an effective and simple technique that encourages you to focus on one task.

Over two million people have used and continue to use the method to transform their lives.

A Pomodoro session has a three-step basic loop: 

• Step 1: Set a timer and work for 25 minutes
• Step 2: Take a 5 minute break 
• Step 3: Repeat 

With every 4 Pomodoros take a 5-minute break. 

This technique is especially useful for those who find themselves easily distracted and struggle to keep focused or those who have a large and varied workload. It can be especially helpful if your team uses multiple tools  like email, chat and social media. With much noise coming in, having a deep work is difficult and Pomodoro is a great way to improve focus. Because of its simplicity, Pomodoro technique works well for a wide range of people in a variety of fields. It can be utilized by anyone who is seeking to improve their productivity or looking to increase the focus on their task. This technique works well for both teams as well as individuals. If you're looking to improve your productivity, this is a technique that you'll want to try.

Why Is The Pomodoro Technique Effective?

1. It helps you to reduce distractions

Using tools like email, chat, social media and phone calls can be distracting. Even if you are just checking your emails, there is a chance that you are not going to be focused on your work. Pomodoro technique helps to reduce distractions by helping you to focus on one task at a time. It's simple to follow and you can do it in your office or at home. You can also use it when you are working with a team.

2. It helps you to manage your time

Managing your time can be challenging especially when you have myriad tasks to accomplish and many responsibilities. This technique can help you to manage your time effectively by breaking up large tasks into smaller ones. It can also help you to know what and when you should accomplish your tasks. With a to-do list, you can be more productive and learn to manage your time well.

3. It helps you to stay focused

Having a large workload is challenging especially when you have to juggle between a variety of tasks. This technique helps you to stay focused and be productive. It helps you to work on one task at a time. It can help you to concentrate on your work and complete it efficiently.

4. It helps you to be more productive

If you are struggling to manage your time and staying focused on your work, this technique can help you to be more productive. It can help you to work on your tasks efficiently and effectively. This technique can help you to achieve your goals.

5. It helps you to be less stressed

Stress and anxiety are very common in today's workplace. This technique can help you to manage your stress. It can help you to relax and relieve stress.

The Pomodoro technique is excellent in that it increases organization and weekly planning. This is because you have to know what specific task you want to work on before starting on the task. For me, it helps to keep me motivated when I don’t feel like working. I convince myself to work for 25 minutes at a time and find that after I push myself to complete one Pomodoro, I get into a workflow, and I’m able to accomplish so much more. 

How many tasks should you select for the Pomodoro Technique?

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to overload yourself with too many tasks. It is recommended to stick with a single task for 3-4 work periods of 25 minutes long. If you have a task that needs more than 4 Pomodoro’s it is recommended to divide the task into smaller more digestible steps. This will help you to stay productive and you will be able to complete your work faster.

Does a Pomodoro have to be 25 minutes?

The Pomodoro technique was developed around a 25 minute time frame.  The timer used for this technique rings after 25 minutes, which is why it is called a Pomodoro.

However, there is nothing that says that you have to use 25 minutes.  You can extend the time frame as long as you want.  

How many Pomodoros can you do in a day?

This is usually up to the individual. When you are a beginner, you should start with 3 Pomodoros in a day.  You can work on these three tasks or you can work on one larger task and break it down into three smaller tasks.  You can also use the Pomodoro Technique to break down a larger task into several smaller tasks.  Once you are comfortable with this method, you can try to increase your number of Pomodoros in a day up to six or eight.  However, keep in mind that you should not try to do too many of them in a day.  If you find yourself overwhelmed with too many tasks, you should slow down.  It is better to do fewer tasks well than to do many tasks poorly.  Slow down if you need to and focus on doing fewer tasks well.

What is the 52-17 rule in time management?

The 52-17 rule is a productivity method that is similar to the Pomodoro Technique.  This method suggests that you should work for 52 minutes and take a 17 minute break.  This method is also based on the idea that you can work for a maximum of 52 minutes without losing focus.  There is some debate over whether this rule is better than the Pomodoro Technique.  Some people say that it is better because this method is more forgiving.  

If you're not able to complete your task in 52 minutes, you can still transfer the remaining time to your next break.  Others say that this method is not as effective because it gives you more time to procrastinate.  Because you have more time on your break, you might end up spending more time on your phone or doing other things. The best way to see which is better is to experiment  with both methods.  

See which method works better for you and which one you can complete your work faster with.  There is no right answer when it comes to productivity methods; you have to choose the one that works for you.

Drawbacks of the Pomodoro Technique

Every technique has its pros and cons and the Pomodoro technique is no exception.

• There are some cases where the Pomodoro technique can be detrimental to your productivity. If you are working on tasks that require creativity or brainstorming, you should use another method. This is because the Pomodoro Technique is not conducive to creative work. It is not effective for work that requires brainstorming, idea generation, or idea evaluation.
• There is also a question of effectiveness.  There is no guarantee that you will be more productive with the Pomodoro Technique.  This method might not work for you.  You have to test it and see if it is effective for you.  If you find yourself procrastinating or losing focus, you should try another method. 

Can The Pomodoro Technique Help in Remote Work? 

The Pomodoro technique is especially useful for remote work. With more and more companies shifting to remote work, it can be difficult to manage your time without a daily routine. You may experience difficulties in productivity and mental fatigue may set in. 

The Pomodoro technique can help to make remote work more manageable and improve your focus. This is because it provides a clear structure to your workday. It also provides a clear end goal to work towards. It is especially helpful if your team uses multiple tools like email, chat, and social media. With much noise coming in, having a deep work is difficult and Pomodoro is a great way to improve focus.

Pomodoro tools:

• Pomodor: They have focus sessions that are pre-set to 25 minutes. They offer in-app purchases to set reminders. 
• Flora - Green Focus: This allows you to time and track your habits. They also partner with a tree-planting organization to grow soil rebuilding trees. 
• Timist: They use their “Timist Session system” along with time tracking. You can create different timers and track time for each of them. 
• Timer (Chrome extension): A simple chrome extension that tracks the time for you. It tracks time up to 4 hours. 
• 5217: This timer is best suited for people wanting to adopt the 52-17 technique as mentioned above

The Pomodoro technique is one of the simplest but effective productivity methods out there, where all you need is a timer and the tasks to work on.