The Pomodoro Technique: How to Use it Effectively

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique that workers and students use to attain work or study goals. It works by breaking up your study session into little bits of study and break time. It is usually advised that you divide your study time into 25 minutes of uninterrupted study and 5 minutes of rest. Repeat this cycle four times, and then take a 30-minute or longer rest. This means that if you followed this strictly, you would spend 1 hour and 40 minutes of deep concentration and 20 minutes of rest.

Francesco Cirillo developed the technique in the late 1980s. He was a university student who divided his work into 25-minute periods, followed by brief breaks, using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. He dubbed his approach “Pomodoro” after the Italian word for tomato.

How to Use the Pomodoro Technique Effectively

1. Pick a task to work on.

It sounds easy, right?

Wrong!

Deciding on what to do, especially when you have a lot on your plate, is a difficult task. Think of it this way: you are approaching exams, and your timetable is packed with papers you are taking, maybe in a week or so. There are so many of them, and you can’t think of where to start.

That sounds relatable to me. It becomes tough to decide where to begin. That is why picking a task to work on is the first step you have to consider when using the Pomodoro Technique.

I won’t lie. There is no definite principle you can use to pick the task to do, in this case, the subject, unit, or topic to study. My advice would be to understand the layout of your units or subjects. See which ones you think are easier to study or which ones you have studied multiple times in the past and may not require a lot of time to revise. Then pick the most challenging ones.

Nevertheless, if the confusion of what task to pick is massive, use this method:

The “Do Something” Principle.

The “do something principle” is a concept used to combat procrastination or indecision. It was popularized by Mark Mansion, the author of the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.”. Mark Mansion suggests taking action can lead to motivation and inspiration, rather than waiting for them to happen before doing something. It is based on the idea that behavior has consequences and that acting in a certain way can change your mood, energy, and mindset. The “do something” principle can help you overcome procrastination, start working on your goals, and build discipline and momentum.

If you find yourself battling with indecision, instead of letting it consume your time, just pick something and do it. You don’t need a reason or whatever. Just pick it and do it. That is the beauty of the “do something principle.”

2. Set a timer

When you have decided on the task to do, congrats! You have set your day for success. Now, you need to set a timer to manage your time and energy. This is actually what the Pomodoro Technique is all about. It is about time management.

You can use the clock app on your phone to set a timer or use an online timer on your web browser. One resource you can use is https://www.timeanddate.com/timer/.

The amount of time you can set for studying can differ. The standard time is 25 minutes of study time and 5 minutes break. But you can bend this a little bit. For me, I don’t usually follow the 25-minute-5-minute cycle. Sometimes, I set the timer for 30 minutes of studying and 10 minutes of rest. On other days, when I feel like it, I set a 1-hour study time and a 15-minute break time. Then I could do two to three cycles instead of four.

It depends on what you can manage and how you feel at a given time, because let’s face it, some days we don’t feel like conquering the world. In such times, do what is reasonable. Cut your coat according to your clothes.

3. Utilize your break well

There are two types of breaks in the Pomodoro Techniques

1. The break that you take between the Pomodoros.
2. And the long break after the Pomodoro Cycle.

For the brief breaks between pomodoros, do something that will refresh both your body and brain. You can stretch, for example. Or walk around the room. Or do some pushups. Anything that will make you feel fresh again. Remember to stay hydrated.

For the long break (I prefer an hour for that), do something that you think will make you rest or feel relaxed. Most of it is something that you can decide for yourself. But things like exercise and sleep are recommended for a long break. They will reset your body and make it ready to work again.

Another recommendation is to call a friend or family to chat with briefly. Laugh. Dance. Do whatever it is that you enjoy. Again, remember to be well-fed and hydrated.

Finally, build a habit using this technique so that it does not feel like a mental workout. Track your progress and improve where necessary.

The Pomodoro Technique can help you in the following ways.

• Overcome procrastination and get started on your work.
• Stay focused and avoid distractions that can disrupt your flow.
• Manage your time and energy more efficiently and realistically.
• Track your progress and measure your output.
• Achieve your study goals with near certainty.

Why the Pomodoro Technique Might Not Help You Study

Let’s take a look at why the Pomodoro Technique might not be right for you. We’ll look at how it can disrupt your attention and slow down your study session, as well as when it’s good to abandon the tomato timer and go with the flow.

The Pomodoro Technique may not work for you because it can disrupt your focus by snapping you out of the “flow state.”

Understanding the Flow State

The flow state is a mental state in which a person is completely focused on a single task or activity and feels fully immersed and engaged in it. The flow state is also known as being “in the zone” or “in the groove.”. When a person is in the flow state, they experience:

• A feeling of control and confidence
• A loss of self-consciousness and awareness of time

The flow state was first described and researched by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a positive psychologist who interviewed people who excelled in various fields, such as sports, arts, music, and science. He found that they all reported similar experiences of being in the flow state when they were performing at their best.

The flow state can have many benefits for a person’s well-being, productivity, creativity, and learning. Some of the benefits are:

• Higher motivation and engagement
• Increased happiness and fulfillment

To achieve the flow state, a person needs to find a task that is challenging enough to match their skill level, and that they are passionate and curious about. They also need to eliminate distractions, set clear goals, and get feedback on their progress. They may also benefit from practicing mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to calm their mind and body

The Pomodoro Problem

When you’re deep into the flow state, fully absorbed in your work, the Pomodoro timer interrupts with its signal to take a break. The problem? Reaching that same level of concentration again becomes a real struggle. This is where the Pomodoro Technique turns from a study aid into a hurdle for your productivity.

During that break, various temptations come knocking – social media, friends reaching out, Netflix beckoning, or your growling stomach demanding a snack. Suddenly, your productive study session takes a nosedive. The flow state is shattered, and regaining focus becomes as tricky as catching a butterfly with a broken net.

 During that break, you might be tempted by social media, friends calling, Netflix calling, or your hungry stomach asking for a snack. Suddenly, your study session is not so productive anymore. The flow state is gone, and getting back to focus feels like trying to catch a butterfly with a broken net.

In simple terms, the Pomodoro Technique can make you easily distracted. It sets you up for a slippery slope where you think, “I’ll just check my messages for a minute,” and that minute turns into more time away from studying. The flow state likes unbroken concentration, and this technique can mess that up.

Why Flexibility Matters

Now, here’s the thing. I’m not saying the Pomodoro Technique is all bad. It has its good points, especially on days when your brain feels tired after a short study session. But it is good practice to be flexible.

You don’t have to follow the Pomodoro Technique like a strict rule every day. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to know yourself and what works best for you. If you’re really into your task and not feeling tired, don’t stick rigidly to the timer. Keep going until you need a break.

The Pomodoro Technique is meant to give your brain a break when it’s tired. When you’re doing well, soaking up information like a sponge, you don’t need an unnecessary interruption. Trust yourself and keep studying until you feel the need for a break.

Why Knowing Yourself is Important

The Greeks had a philosophical maxim: “Know thyself”. It was so important that it was inscribed upon the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi.

So, it is important to know yourself and what works for you.

It is important to understand that the Pomodoro Technique isn’t a magic trick for being super productive. It’s a tool, like a hammer or a screwdriver. It has its good days, and it has its not-so-good days. The trick to doing well is to know yourself, your body, and your brain. Change your study approach based on how you feel. But don’t be too spontaneous, lest you lose your study routine entirely. Be flexible to a reasonable limit.

Some days, the Pomodoro Technique might be really helpful, making sure you don’t get too tired too quickly. On other days, it might slow you down by interrupting your flow state. The key to doing well is to know yourself. Understand how you work best, and adjust your study plan accordingly.

The Pomodoro Technique is one of the best ways to manage your time and accomplish your work without burnout. By dividing your sessions into small chunks of 25 minutes of work and a 5-minute break, you give your brain time to recharge, thus making your work more effective.

However, just like every other thing, there are always exceptions to what you can achieve with the Pomodoro Technique. It is important that you understand how you feel at a particular time and what could work for you, considering the amount of work you are doing and its intensity.