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Is there a threshold of the number of Pomodoros you can execute in a sequence before the technique has positive effect?

I could imagine that you do not want to use the Pomodoro technique if you have three task that you can complete in one hour. Would there be added value to use Pomodoro techniques in such a situation.

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up vote 3 down vote accepted

The way that I use it is to focus on tasks that can be completed in a 25 min period.

Often I do a single Pomodoro, typical fill in timesheet and reply to emails. If the task are complete berfore 25 mins has elapsed, that's a bonus.

Your example is a border case, you could just site and work for an hour or split it into two 30 min sessions. Then benefit of splitting it is that you get to check your progress half way.

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Thats interesting, because I do pomodoros mainly for chipping away from bigger tasks (bachelor thesis). Often I only need the the illusion of only having to work for 25 minutes, and after the first pomodoro I'm so immersed in the work that I just continue without the pomodoro structure. –  0x6d64 Nov 14 '11 at 7:23
@0x6d64 don't you loose focus in the long run? –  Roel Nov 14 '11 at 12:49
@Roel: From time to time: yes. But after overcoming this first resistance I usually think do not even want to take a break the second the timer tells me to. Getting into the flow again after a longer break (e.g. lunch) is another story: Here I tend to set my pomodoro timer again... –  0x6d64 Nov 15 '11 at 10:10
@0x6d64 basically you don't use the Pomodoro technique for productivity but for motivation? –  Roel Nov 15 '11 at 14:05
@Roel: In a nutshell: yes. Once I get in the "flow", I stay productive by myself. –  0x6d64 Nov 16 '11 at 9:50
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