A clock, stack of books and plant on a white desk

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You sit down with the intention of getting a bunch of tasks checked off your to-do list. Next thing you know you look at the clock and the days over. Oh, and your to-do list? Barely anything is checked off.

Yeah, BEEN THERE. I used to spend my workdays being “busy” (aka getting distracted by all the little things) and end up feeling exhausted without getting any real deep work done. That is until I discovered the Pomodoro Technique.

What exactly is the Pomodoro Technique?

Put simply, the Pomodoro technique is a time management method where you break down your work into 25 minute work blocks, followed by a short 5 minute breaks.

This method encourages you to work within the time you have, rather than work against it. It also helps to make those large daunting tasks seem more manageable. I mean, you can do anything for 25 minutes, right?

How the Pomodoro Technique works

1. Select a task

  • Choose a task from your to-do list that you’ve been meaning to get done (maybe you’ve been putting off writing your latest blog post or scheduling some Instagram posts)

2. Focus your attention

  • Turn off all distractions. The point of using the Pomodoro Technique is to stay FOCUSED and intentional for the 25-minute time block. That means no checking your text messages or Instagram while you’re in a Pomodoro!

3. Get to work

  • Set the timer and get to work! There is no pausing or breaks during this time. Stick to your task at hand.

4. Take a break

  • Once the 25-minute session is complete, you get a 5-minute break. Now is the time you can go grab a tea, answer your texts, or take a quick stretch.

5. Repeat

  • start the timer and get ready to dive back into another Pomodoro session!

Why I love using this technique

Sometimes tasks can feel daunting when you have a never-ending to-do list and endless distractions at your fingertips. The Pomodoro Technique helps break down your tasks into more manageable bite-sized pieces and trains your brain to stay focused.

It works as an accountability system, and also helps you learn how long tasks really take when you stay focused with no distractions.

When using the Pomodoro Technique, I’m able to accomplish work that would have taken me hours of time otherwise. (ahem, yes probably because I’d be distracted by Instagram and messages, and e-mails and all the other millions of distractions out there)

Tips & Trips when using the Pomodoro Technique

  • If you find after using this technique for some time that the 25-minute blocks of time aren’t long enough for your liking, you can slowly start to increase the time you do each Pomorodo to 30 minutes, or 40 minutes and eventually even hour-long sessions.
  • Use your breaks with intention. This is your time to get up, walk around, stretch, drink some water and recharge.
  • Keep track of how many pomodoros it takes for you to finish specific tasks. If you know that writing a blog post takes you 2 pomodoros, you’ll be able to schedule your time more accurately and effectively.
  • Set a daily Pomodoro goal. Maybe that’s doing 6 pomodoros a day, or 10 pomodoros a day. Whatever it is you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment by knowing you got in some heads down “deep work” in your day.

Pomodoro Apps

Did you know there are many Pomodoro Apps you can use to help you with this technique? Here are a few of my favourites!