The most I’ve done to improve productivity and focus is install a website blocker (and I always manage to find a way around it if I want to.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, when I was tasked with writing this article about The Pomodoro Technique, I was skeptical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can a timer really help you be more productive? And more importantly, how well does a productivity technique from the 1980s stand up to the daily demands of modern work? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are my thoughts on The Pomodoro Technique and how it stacked up. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nuts and Bolts of The Pomodoro Technique <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore we talk about how The Pomodoro Technique works, let’s take a quick walk down memory lane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It all started with an Italian university student named Francesco Cirillo. In the 1980s, when working on a project in his kitchen, he noticed a tomato-shaped timer near him (which I think is very<\/em> 80s). Francesco decided to set the timer and use it as a target to stay focused \u2014 and reward himself with a break when it went off.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is when The Pomodoro Technique was born. Crillo shared the technique with classmates (who also started to use it), before running Pomodoro workshops and seminars around in the 1990s. He even wrote a book<\/a> about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe reason Crillo’s technique is still so popular with productivity hackers may be down to how easy it is to use. Here’s how Pomodoro works: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Set a timer for 25 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Focus on a single task and work on it until the timer rings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When the 25 minutes is up, take a (well-earned) five-minute break<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mark on a chart that you’ve completed “one Pomodoro”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Once you complete four Pomodoros, take a 30-minute break to recharge your \ud83e\udde0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"diagram](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcwo7K1mI5f_GLXGX3iWKeJRl1VOkJ0TjW6JGLuii887Mu4DtvmmAwgkohIPuPnI3KB17I7KRRuyjNxazWuI1nLsXIOB_E7QINm5rv7GrTd37e29ZgiCrX769cv16kDK6yFe1R96KK27NuPfQ1K7EqDokMT?key=VNu7SjX-q3oM7gLS7BX_Gg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNo need for fancy tools, over-complicated spreadsheets, or an ice bath. Just grab your kitchen timer \u2014 and get productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Makes The Pomodoro Technique Unique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe beauty of the Pomodoro Technique isn’t just its stop\/start\/reward structure \u2014 it’s the underlying principles behind it. Each 25-minute block (or Pomodoro) is essentially a very focused work sprint.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get the most out of Pomodoro, it takes preparation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Visual](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pomodoro-Technique-tips-1024x806.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, some Pomodoro productivity gurus swear by batching small tasks. If you need to tackle work emails, answer Slack messages and reply to LinkedIn comments, don’t set individual Pomodoros for each task. Batch “similar” tasks together and tackle them in the same Pomodoro block to maximize productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others say blocking internet sites or breaking tasks down into smaller pieces is the way to win with Pomodoro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, the breakdown of workflows will look different depending on your tasks. A writer’s to-do list will look different to a software developer. But the principle behind Pomodoro is the same: with regular, focused blocks of work, you can get more done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think the best way to figure out if The Pomodoro Technique is a good fit is to put the method to a real-life test. But before we do, let’s look at all the pros and cons. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons of The Pomodoro Technique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pomodoro-Technique-pros-and-cons-1024x699.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Pomodoro Technique has barely changed since Cirillo invented it in his kitchen over 40 years ago. A lot of the pros are still the same: it’s super easy to use, it cuts out distractions, and it gamifies goal setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, using Pomodoro also comes with some cons. Not only can it interrupt productive workflows, but it also isn’t a good fit for team collaboration. Chris Chung is an avid Pomodoro user and thinks, after five years of using the technique<\/a>, it’s best for working solo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n“In terms of mental investment, interruptions are expensive. After an interruption, it may take you several minutes to get back to where you were. When you can genuinely unplug your mind from the steam of office communication and wall yourself off from people who want to tap you on the shoulder, that\u2019s when the Pomodoro Technique truly shines. If no one can interrupt you, you can get full benefit from highly focused work.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nEven when you work on a task solo, Pomodoro is designed for smaller chunks of work\u2014something that squeezes into a 25-minute window. As Mike Vardy points out<\/a>, the rigidity of the 25-minute productivity block not only forces you to step away, but it also prompts you to move on to another task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n“So, when you start your day (or take the time on the day before to plan your day), you need to work out “Pomodoros” with the knowledge that you have 25 minutes or less to work on it at any given time. I’m not a fan of systems that are that rigid.” <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAll these pros and cons got me thinking\u2026 is Pomodoro even fit for the modern worker, or is it time for a change? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is It Time to Tweak The Pomodoro Technique?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAdmittedly, I’ve never used Pomodoro before. So, I decided to test it out during the research, writing, and editing stages of producing this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I found\u2026 may not be welcomed by Pomodoro fanatics \ud83d\ude43 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I started the test by ticking off the “basic” Pomodoro hacks everyone talks about online: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcf5 No phone. <\/strong>My iPhone was put into silent mode. No phone calls or Slack messages allowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u274c No multitasking. <\/strong>I focused on one part of my process (either researching, writing a section of the article, or editing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\uddd1\ufe0f Decluttering. <\/strong>I cleared all of the clutter off my desk (like the coffee cups and notebooks I was hoarding)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83e\uddd8 Clearing my mind. <\/strong>I began every Pomodoro by closing my eyes and taking a couple of deep breaths to focus my brain<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, did I quickly turn into a writing machine? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not exactly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My first problem was the 25-minute productivity block. On paper, it seems like a fair chunk of time. But when I hit a writing stride and started to pump out some serious<\/strong> words, the timer felt like the equivalent of somebody throwing my keyboard out the window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Humorous](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcMY1gJgW9GOilSXkIhR0CdM85KLbuo86B4cNf_Hbl5obQEeROsZbMQz3IPSUSyRFD40AQss1ZnFfLuy5xbUXiKKm4CbHanx7074uRa5zled5Jz06wyOpo7rfLLuEw3IlpmhAM2EbRidXV11r4fIOH-j7Fi?key=VNu7SjX-q3oM7gLS7BX_Gg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThen there was the five-minute break. It didn’t feel like enough time for me to do anything<\/strong>. I could catch a breather, scroll X, or make a coffee \u2014 but that was it. I started to feel resentful towards the break as it felt like a crappy trade-off for killing my writing vibe. \u270d\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt made me wonder if I was the only person who felt like this about Pomodoro. It turns out, I wasn’t. Some of my fellow Redditors over on r\/productivity<\/a> also had similar thoughts:<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdLbeeX5Gs1rR-8ZPFejZruFYE7FbhuReZS65acISqKiuLGUYQgrPg_YC7b9m_P378rq6C2vdqcI5MGEgMXaF17hpzjlTzC9hlwBBC7z7QylV3LqRXUb8nu3qKw4qCxq1m8Dlfjq3oXq3hsClbEFFyffvyl?key=VNu7SjX-q3oM7gLS7BX_Gg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some people were done <\/strong>trying to make Pomodoro work, others highlighted specific problems with the traditional technique: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The timer goes off just as you enter a state of productive workflow, meaning the (really great) work you were about to tackle has been blocked<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Productivity doesn’t fall into a neat little box. Sometimes, it’s impossible to force your brain to concentrate or be creative. But Pomodoro only recognizes work, not thoughts and ideas <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This wasn’t enough for me to write off Pomodoro completely. I researched the corners of Reddit, Quota, X and productivity blogs to find a way to tweak Pomodoro so it worked for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s what I came up with. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Increase the Length of Each Pomodoro \u23f3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My biggest problem with Pomodoro was it didn’t give me enough time to get into a proper work groove. I decided to double both the working time and break time so instead of it being 25\/5, it would be 50\/10. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was a game-changer. Although technically my “Pomodoro” count was less on paper, I was getting way more<\/strong> done each time I turned my timer on. I was able to settle into deep work mode without the timer blocking my flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMake Pomodoro Breaks Boring \ud83e\udd71<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This tweak took me a minute<\/em> to figure out. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen my Pomodoro timer went off, I felt like I had to be making the absolute most of those five minutes. I was checking Slack, making a fresh cup of coffee, and religiously checking my LinkedIn feed. But when the five-minute break was up (which I swear only lasted for five seconds), it took me a lot longer to settle back into the Pomodoro block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To change this, I took a note out of Author Ian Fleming’s book and used the rule of forced boredom<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ian-Fleming-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFleming’s method gave him two choices while working on a novel: He would either write, or do nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his breaks, he didn’t read. He didn’t go for a walk, go out for coffee, or meet friends. He did nothing. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, I copied his technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is when The Pomodoro Technique was born. Crillo shared the technique with classmates (who also started to use it), before running Pomodoro workshops and seminars around in the 1990s. He even wrote a book<\/a> about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason Crillo’s technique is still so popular with productivity hackers may be down to how easy it is to use. Here’s how Pomodoro works: <\/p>\n\n\n\n No need for fancy tools, over-complicated spreadsheets, or an ice bath. Just grab your kitchen timer \u2014 and get productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beauty of the Pomodoro Technique isn’t just its stop\/start\/reward structure \u2014 it’s the underlying principles behind it. Each 25-minute block (or Pomodoro) is essentially a very focused work sprint.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get the most out of Pomodoro, it takes preparation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, some Pomodoro productivity gurus swear by batching small tasks. If you need to tackle work emails, answer Slack messages and reply to LinkedIn comments, don’t set individual Pomodoros for each task. Batch “similar” tasks together and tackle them in the same Pomodoro block to maximize productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Others say blocking internet sites or breaking tasks down into smaller pieces is the way to win with Pomodoro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, the breakdown of workflows will look different depending on your tasks. A writer’s to-do list will look different to a software developer. But the principle behind Pomodoro is the same: with regular, focused blocks of work, you can get more done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I think the best way to figure out if The Pomodoro Technique is a good fit is to put the method to a real-life test. But before we do, let’s look at all the pros and cons. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pomodoro Technique has barely changed since Cirillo invented it in his kitchen over 40 years ago. A lot of the pros are still the same: it’s super easy to use, it cuts out distractions, and it gamifies goal setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, using Pomodoro also comes with some cons. Not only can it interrupt productive workflows, but it also isn’t a good fit for team collaboration. Chris Chung is an avid Pomodoro user and thinks, after five years of using the technique<\/a>, it’s best for working solo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “In terms of mental investment, interruptions are expensive. After an interruption, it may take you several minutes to get back to where you were. When you can genuinely unplug your mind from the steam of office communication and wall yourself off from people who want to tap you on the shoulder, that\u2019s when the Pomodoro Technique truly shines. If no one can interrupt you, you can get full benefit from highly focused work.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Even when you work on a task solo, Pomodoro is designed for smaller chunks of work\u2014something that squeezes into a 25-minute window. As Mike Vardy points out<\/a>, the rigidity of the 25-minute productivity block not only forces you to step away, but it also prompts you to move on to another task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “So, when you start your day (or take the time on the day before to plan your day), you need to work out “Pomodoros” with the knowledge that you have 25 minutes or less to work on it at any given time. I’m not a fan of systems that are that rigid.” <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n All these pros and cons got me thinking\u2026 is Pomodoro even fit for the modern worker, or is it time for a change? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admittedly, I’ve never used Pomodoro before. So, I decided to test it out during the research, writing, and editing stages of producing this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What I found\u2026 may not be welcomed by Pomodoro fanatics \ud83d\ude43 <\/p>\n\n\n\n I started the test by ticking off the “basic” Pomodoro hacks everyone talks about online: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udcf5 No phone. <\/strong>My iPhone was put into silent mode. No phone calls or Slack messages allowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u274c No multitasking. <\/strong>I focused on one part of my process (either researching, writing a section of the article, or editing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\uddd1\ufe0f Decluttering. <\/strong>I cleared all of the clutter off my desk (like the coffee cups and notebooks I was hoarding)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83e\uddd8 Clearing my mind. <\/strong>I began every Pomodoro by closing my eyes and taking a couple of deep breaths to focus my brain<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, did I quickly turn into a writing machine? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not exactly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My first problem was the 25-minute productivity block. On paper, it seems like a fair chunk of time. But when I hit a writing stride and started to pump out some serious<\/strong> words, the timer felt like the equivalent of somebody throwing my keyboard out the window. <\/p>\n\n\n Then there was the five-minute break. It didn’t feel like enough time for me to do anything<\/strong>. I could catch a breather, scroll X, or make a coffee \u2014 but that was it. I started to feel resentful towards the break as it felt like a crappy trade-off for killing my writing vibe. \u270d\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n It made me wonder if I was the only person who felt like this about Pomodoro. It turns out, I wasn’t. Some of my fellow Redditors over on r\/productivity<\/a> also had similar thoughts:<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n While some people were done <\/strong>trying to make Pomodoro work, others highlighted specific problems with the traditional technique: <\/p>\n\n\n\n This wasn’t enough for me to write off Pomodoro completely. I researched the corners of Reddit, Quota, X and productivity blogs to find a way to tweak Pomodoro so it worked for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s what I came up with. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n My biggest problem with Pomodoro was it didn’t give me enough time to get into a proper work groove. I decided to double both the working time and break time so instead of it being 25\/5, it would be 50\/10. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This was a game-changer. Although technically my “Pomodoro” count was less on paper, I was getting way more<\/strong> done each time I turned my timer on. I was able to settle into deep work mode without the timer blocking my flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tweak took me a minute<\/em> to figure out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When my Pomodoro timer went off, I felt like I had to be making the absolute most of those five minutes. I was checking Slack, making a fresh cup of coffee, and religiously checking my LinkedIn feed. But when the five-minute break was up (which I swear only lasted for five seconds), it took me a lot longer to settle back into the Pomodoro block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To change this, I took a note out of Author Ian Fleming’s book and used the rule of forced boredom<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fleming’s method gave him two choices while working on a novel: He would either write, or do nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In his breaks, he didn’t read. He didn’t go for a walk, go out for coffee, or meet friends. He did nothing. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So, I copied his technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What Makes The Pomodoro Technique Unique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros and Cons of The Pomodoro Technique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Is It Time to Tweak The Pomodoro Technique?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Increase the Length of Each Pomodoro \u23f3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make Pomodoro Breaks Boring \ud83e\udd71<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"photograph](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pomodoro-Timer-Manual-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Author](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Toggl-Track-Pomodoro-Timer.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Toggl-Track-Pomodoro-Timer-app-1024x726.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n