You’ll be able to do the latter during the break. Resist the urge to switch tasks or procrastinate. Try to put your phone on silent, turn off the TV, and stay off of time-wasting websites. Set your manual timer or the time in your timer app to 25 minutes and start working on your first task.

Set the timer to 25 minutes and start working Try to switch tasks as little as possible, though. If you have larger projects, break them into smaller pieces. If you have smaller tasks that will take less than 25 minutes to complete, you can try grouping them with similar tasks. Since the Pomodoro technique limits you to working in 25-minute bursts, it’s best to focus on one task at a time. Nowadays, you can use dedicated pomodoro timers, or time tracking software like Hubstaff to track time to specific tasks and get real-time activity metrics along the way. You may be tempted to overlook this step, but it’s worth taking the extra time to find something that works for your unique needs.Ī kitchen timer worked for Cirillo, but that was decades ago. You can’t begin using the Pomodoro technique without a time tracking method. Check out our five-step process for completing your first pomodoro: 1. The Pomodoro technique does allow you to set the duration of work and break periods to whatever suits your specific needs, though.īefore you master the Pomodoro technique, you’ll need to understand the basics. You might also find that taking a break every 25 minutes interrupts your flow and does more harm than good, or that a 5-minute break is too short. Keep in mind that the Pomodoro technique might not be the best fit for you if you consistently work on tasks that require longer sessions of concentrated work. Looking at your day in 25-minute blocks helps you limit open-ended work (such as research) to ensure you don’t spend more time than necessary on it.

Deciding that you’ll work on it for just 25 minutes before taking a break makes it seem less intimidating. It can seem daunting to get started on a big task, and that’s why a lot of people procrastinate.

It will force you to add more structure to your workday, which makes it less likely that you’ll get sidetracked. You’re more likely to focus in those 25 minutes because you know they’re followed by 5 minutes during which you can do something else or simply procrastinate. Knowing that you only have 25 minutes to work on a task before having to take a break might instill a sense of urgency and make you work faster. Here are some reasons why the Pomodoro technique might work for you:

Pomodoro method app