The pomodoro technique is widely popular productivity method. Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s it is still considered one of the most effective methods to enhance focus and increase productivity.

Tracking your time when working has various benefits. On one hand you can have a quantifiable measure of your productivity and one the other it may help you to focus and thus become even more productive.

The pomodoro technique stands on the notion that our brain can focus for a certain amount of time and then begins to drift. By alternating precisely timed intervals of work and break you can train your brain to stay highly focused and thus become more productive.

Cirillo found that the ideal time for a work interval is 25 minutes followed by a short break of 5 minutes.

You can train your brain to stay focused for longer periods of time by beginning with shorter intervals and incrementing the time as you go until you find the sweet spot for your brain and your kind of work.

Steps:

  1. Choose the task
    Choose a task that needs to be done. Make a commitment to your self that you will only work on this task for the next set period of time. In productivity timer you can set a label for each session to help you stay focused and record the things that you are working on.
  2. Set the timer
    The optimal period proposed by the method is 25 minutes.
    While this may be ideal for most of the people, different kind of work may benefit from differently timed intervals. See this article on a different approach.
  3. Work on the task until the timer rings
    Try to avoid distractions and interruptions during this time interval. If something strikes you that needs to be done, write it down and continue with the task at hand.
    Keep the timer visible and audible during the whole time; It will help you remain grounded and focused and will make you better assessing how much time a task needs. Productivity timer has a ticking sound that acts as a grounding point and a fixed period chime to help you be aware of the passing of time.
    If the chosen task is finished before the work interval is done, don’t stop the timer! Use the remaining time to review the task or make small improvements.
    When an interval starts it has to end for the method to be effective.
  4. When done
    Make a check-mark on a paper or your favourite note-taking app. Productivity timer helps you by making the checks for you and recording your past sessions for accurate time tracking and time assessment.
  5. Take a short break
    Once the work interval is completed take a short break. The suggested break is 5 minutes but this to can vary according to the length of your work interval. Don’t interrupt or skip the break interval. It is essential for your brain to take a breath consolidate the knowledge of the previous interval and continue with heightened energy.
  6. Every 4 work intervals take a long break
    When you complete four work intervals take a longer break 20-30 minutes. If possible, move away from the workspace. Take a short walk or meditation session. Clear your mind completely of work and give it time to rest.

Repeat the six steps throughout your working hours to achieve your goals.