Why I use the Pomodoro technique
First of all…
What Is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. Its primary goal is to help you eliminate distractions and focus deeply on a single task at a time.
The name Pomodoro—Italian for tomato—comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used when he first developed the technique.
How It Works
The method is simple but surprisingly powerful:
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
This is one pomodoro. During this time, you focus exclusively on one task—no checking messages, no social media, no multitasking. It helps to mute notifications entirely so they don’t distract you, even subconsciously.Take a 5-minute break.
Use this short break to stretch, walk around, or quickly check notifications if necessary.After four pomodori, take a longer break—typically 15 minutes.
This rhythm of focused work and structured breaks keeps your energy up and your brain fresh.
Why I Use It
I find the Pomodoro Technique incredibly helpful for three main reasons:
It helps me focus by encouraging deep work without distractions.
It builds in breaks, which means I don’t forget to rest and recharge.
It trains my brain to concentrate in short, intense bursts, which is especially useful when I have limited time.
It’s not a rigid system either—some people prefer working in 50-minute sprints followed by 10-minute breaks. The key is adjusting the technique to fit your personal workflow.
When It Works Best
For focused tasks like writing, coding, or following tutorials, Pomodoro is excellent. It’s also great when you’re working through something that requires mental clarity and minimal interruptions.
When It Doesn’t Work So Well
The technique isn’t perfect for every situation.
Slow feedback loops can break the rhythm. For example, if you’re waiting several minutes for code to compile or an environment to spin up, you might find yourself stuck. In those moments, I avoid switching to something equally demanding—I might instead clean my workspace or prepare other tasks.
Tiny tasks can also be a challenge. Parkinson’s Law warns that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” So if a task only takes 10 minutes, stretching it across 25 minutes might make it unnecessarily complex. In those cases, I batch smaller tasks into a single pomodoro.
How I Use It for Time Management
Beyond focus, I also use Pomodoro as a time-tracking and planning tool.
In many of my roles, I juggle multiple hats—developer, trainer, mentor, etc. To manage my time across these roles, I translate priorities, allocated time into pomodori. One pomodoro is 25 minutes, so two pomodori roughly equal an hour. Over an 8-hour day, I have 16 pomodori to allocate.
I plan my schedule with these units, track how many I spend on each responsibility, and make sure I don’t neglect any part of my role.
Wrapping Up
The Pomodoro Technique is a simple yet powerful tool that helps me stay focused, manage my energy, and plan my time more intentionally. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but when adapted thoughtfully, it can be a game-changer for both productivity and balance.
If you’re looking for a way to structure your day, cut down on distractions, or simply gain more control over your time, I highly recommend giving it a try.