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A brief history of the pomodoro technique
Although you’ll often see the pomodoro technique recommended online as a solution to procrastination, it actually predates the internet itself. It was invented by Italian programmer Francesco Cirillo in the 1980’s whilst he was a University student.
Cirillo, struggling to stay focused on his studies, challenged himself to focus for just 25 minutes on a single task. In order to do so, he found a tomato shaped kitchen timer to alert him when the time was up - hence the name “pomodoro”, which is tomato in Italian.
Since then, many people around the world have used his technique to help them stay focused - it’s become something of a productivity phenomenon, and for good reason.
What is the pomodoro method?
So now know the history - how does it actually work? And crucially, how can it help you focus and get things done?
It’s actually pretty simple - you set a timer for 25 minutes and work. During those 25 minutes you try and focus only on work - no emails, no TV, no interruptions. When those 25 minutes are up, you take a 5 minute break and start another pomodoro. After a few pomodoros (usually around 4) you can then take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.
Because it forces you to break work down into chunks of 25 minutes, it’s easier to just get started and avoid distractions, knowing that you’ll only have to focus for 25 minutes, and have a short break coming up afterwards.
Of course, the 25/5 system of pomodoros is only a suggested length - some people find that 50/10 works better for them. Really, it’s whatever works for you.
PS. At the moment the ZenFocus timer only supports 25/5 - but we’re working on adding the ability to edit your pomodoro and break lengths!
What should I do on pomodoro breaks?
Whatever you like! But we recommend getting up from your desk if possible - maybe doing some stretches and walking a few steps. It’s a good time to go make yourself a coffee (or whatever your preferred beverage is).
Will the Pomodoro method work for me?
Of course, everyone is different and the pomodoro method won’t work for everyone. But there is a reason that you’ll see it so commonly being recommended online in productivity circles - for a lot of people it just works. The best thing to do is simply give it a try and see if it helps you.
What is an “aesthetic” pomodoro timer?
You might well have used a pomodoro app at some point - there are many of them online. They all work pretty much the same way - with a simple timer, a ticking sound and an alert when your current pomodoro finishes.
An aesthetic pomodoro timer is the same, except that it adds an audiovisual element which is designed to help you block out your surroundings and avoid distractions.
How to use the pomodoro method using ZenFocus
The ZenFocus timer uses the pomodoro method out of the box! Simply select from the available themes and hit start to begin your first pomodoro.
Once you reach 25 minutes, the background will fade and you can then start your break. Then once your time’s up, start another pomodoro.
We’ve just launched and are working on many improvements - so keep an eye out!
What if I have a task that takes more than 25 minutes?
This is fine, but it’s generally recommended that if you have a task that is likely to take more than four pomodoros, it’s probably too big and you should try to break it down into subtasks.
This also lets you “complete” tasks more often, which can be psychologically beneficial - giving you a feeling of progress by breaking your work down into smaller chunks.
What if I have a task that takes less than 25 minutes?
If you have tasks that take less than 25 minutes, it’s best to combine those smaller tasks into one pomodoro so they can be tackled together.
What if I’m interrupted during a pomodoro?
It’s best to try and avoid interruptions during a pomodoro and treat it as something that cannot be broken, if it all possible.
However, this isn’t always possible - for example if you work in a busy office a coworker might interrupt you to ask a question. If this happens, you can either pause your pomodoro and pick up where you left off, or you can take your 5 minute break early, refresh and start again.
It’s recommended that when these interruptions do happen, you make a note of them so you can keep an eye on them over time, and consider how you might minimise them going forward.
Can the pomodoro method help me study?
The pomodoro method works great as a study timer because it forces you to break things up into chunks. One of the difficulties with studying is that it can feel overwhelming with so much information to take in and remember. It’s also important to take regular breaks to avoid becoming overwhelmed with information and burning out. The pomodoro method does this by reminding you to take short breaks every 25 minutes.
