Pomodoro method, yay or nay?

I've been recently trying out different methods to time-block! I like the outcomes of the pomodoro method but I find the timer can come too quickly sometimes. What do you do? Do you adjust the timer? Do you use another hack?

  1. 2

    I use 30-mins intervals with 5-mins breaks, works perfect for me. I stand up, exercise, or do small homework during breaks.

    1. 1

      Love that! What are some examples of the exercises you do?

      1. 1

        They may be as simple as just squats or simple exercises with dumbbells. Bending, stretching work too.

        1. 1

          Amazing, thanks for sharing!

  2. 1

    I use Pomodoro with status dumps before each break.

    Without Pomodoro, I found that I sometimes allowed less important work to pre-empt my Main Thing to do that day. I'd end up working later than planned to try to catch up. Pomodoro helps me be more intentional with how I spend my day and build momentum. Strongly recommend trying it out!

    1. 1

      Love that so much! Do you ever review your status dumps? I feel like it takes a lot of discipline to record your every move.

      1. 1

        I mostly use only recent status dumps to keep my momentum going. Sometimes I review the status dumps for the week to share a broader update.

        Since status dumps help me with my current work, it's okay if I miss some. After I miss one status dump (or even a day or week's worth), I can just start the next transition with a status dump and I'm right back on track.

  3. 1

    I think it depends on the type of work that you're doing. Like coding for me is about having the block of code or feature to complete. If I'm in flow state, pomodoro is bad for me. But when I'm doing trivial tasks like promoting and posting on many subreddits about same thing then pomodoro is helpful.

    1. 1

      Interesting! How do you normally approach it when you're in a flow state?

      1. 1

        I just sit and finish it one task after another. Generally the flow kind of state comes when I clearly know the ending and how to do of that task.

        Like daily gym. Chopping when I cook. or React components.

        Thinks like writing, marketing, designing a system, like build whole login functionality, things like this is pomodoro for me.

  4. 1

    It depends on the task. If I want to knock out a checklist of daily things, it's perfect. But if I want to do some productive coding or content writing, I usually roll with a 45/10/45 session since the extra focus durations are perfect for getting in the zone.

    1. 1

      Love that. Out of curiousity, what kind of things do you do in the 10min break? I'm trying to avoid social media and outside of stretching, making tea/coffee, going for a walk, I'm at a loss!

      1. 1

        Tbh, all that you've mentioned is what I do. Remembering to actually stand up and not sit back down so quickly is the hardest challenge! I try to walk out of the room for a bit, and avoid social media since that will throw off my train of thought.

  5. 1

    I don't strictly follow Pomodoro although I have in the past and have liked it. I do listen to Flow State (https://open.spotify.com/show/4IssY4XjHXdpTNOzpaeyxh) on Spotify and like that because it gives periodic reminders to take a break like Pomodoro.

    1. 1

      Really cool share. Thanks so much!

  6. 1

    I think you can try to have different blocks for different types of tasks.

    Deep work should be a bit longer anything from 50-90 mins probably and some less focused tasks can be 20-25.

    At the end of the day, the main advantage of it is that you take regular breaks and recharge, as long as you do that you can also be a bit creative I think.

    1. 1

      Really like the 50-90 idea! I trialled 50mins today based off it, and it worked really nicely for writing content. There's some pretty interesting research around diffused thinking that suggest breaks = higher creativity!

      1. 1

        Sweet. Yeah, it's all about making it work for you not against you :p

        I chose 90 minutes because for coding for example this is usually where productivity starts breaking down for me but it can be quite long 😛

  7. 1

    I love the pomodoro technique. I usually (try to) force myself to stop after 45-60 min, whether I'm done with the task at hand or not.

    It's important to move and keep connected to the world around. If I didn't have my timer, I'd just stay in front of the screen for 3-6 hours without moving, and that's bad for health.

    So basically, the timer is a reminder that I really need to move and take care of myself, rather than a way to keep myself concentrated on a task; I usually don't have that problem.

    1. 2

      Ooo I really like this reframe. Using it to take care of yourself! And I feel this. The last time I needed to hustle on a newsletter I sat down for 6 hours, and then looked up and realised that I'd missed lunch but wasn't even hungry... needless to say, something is wrong if food doesn't come to mind!

  8. 1

    Pomodoro is better than nothing, but an advanced version of pomodoro is to concentrate on a task until the time is over OR the task is done. With just the time limit, it doesn't necessarily motivate you to be as effective as possible.

  9. 1

    I use 53/7 for deep work.

    25/5 is nice for emails etc.

    1. 1

      Really like that divide. The 7 is so specific!

  10. 1

    The Pomodoro method helped me greatly when I was curating and summarising business strategies for GrowthHunt.co

    I started out with just 10 mins of focus time (instead of the recommended 20) and slowly worked my way to it.

    Nowadays, I rarely require this method. So i really recommend anyone to get started with this method!

    1. 1

      This is awesome! I really like the concept of starting with 10 and building up.

  11. 1

    I just follow the basic method of concentrating on task for a period of time and then taking a small break. Same thing used to happen to me so instead of setting the timer for exactly as pomodoro says I set my own time based on the task ... usually an hour or two.

    1. 1

      Love that! Do you ever find yourself tempted to skip the break entirely? I personally feel like if I don't have the timer, I end up working and then am at risk of Parkinson's law!

      1. 1

        Just looked up Parkinson's Law and now I get what you meant :P ... but for me its not a problem as I plan something fun to do during my break and then I wait for it impatiently .

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