
The more you do it, the better your brain will get at concentrating, and the longer you’ll be able to go without breaks. That’s also true for the Pomodoro Technique. When it comes down to it, the Pomodoro Technique is all about discipline.Īs with any activity, the more you practice, the better you get at it.

Each time you do a pomodoro, your brain gets used to the concentration, and it becomes more disciplined. You’ll have to do several pomodoros each time, at least two or three. Many tasks you have to focus on will probably take more than just 25 minutes of intense work to finish. It actually trains your brain to be more efficient. The Pomodoro Technique doesn’t just increase productivity in the short term. The Pomodoro Technique is just a guideline, but if you’re struggling to get through those 25 minute intervals, the breaks are going to be crucial. Of course, you can keep going if you really want. Without these breaks you won’t be as productive. That being said, you may have some guilt taking breaks when you’re getting so much stuff done, but that’s the point. If you are anything like me, you were raised in a society that values a long day’s work and doesn’t pay for the breaks you take. But, when given breaks between workouts, your muscles have time to recuperate and can do more reps. The longer you work it, the more exhausted it gets. Think of your mental power like a muscle. Studies show that taking regular breaks in between short intervals of work actually makes it easier to be more productive, while trying to concentrate for long periods of time decreases your effectiveness. This not only kept him focused on the work in front of him, but it allowed him to divert his attention to something else every 25 minutes, inviting distraction for a short period of time. After four pomodoros, he would take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes. The Pomodoro Technique was not named after the Italian word for tomato, but the shape of the kitchen timer Cirillo used to regulate his activities.Īfter 25 minutes of work, he would take a quick break of about 3-5 minutes, then set the timer for another 25 minutes. He started referring to the 25 minute intervals he now used as “pomodoros” because of his tomato shaped timer. So, he set a timer for ten minutes and worked.Įventually he noticed that these short intervals actually helped his productivity and efficiency. He was frustrated that he couldn’t use the time he had productively, and wanted to prove to himself that he could focus on one task for a short amount of time. It is a technique that takes all the tips that people have been repeating over the decades and puts them into a simple, actionable method of work.Ī student in the 1980s, Francesco Cirillo-now an Italian developer, entrepreneur, and author-became an expert on time management when he developed his own technique for maximizing productivity. Through smaller work periods, the pomodoro technique is thought to increase focus and creativity. What is the Pomodoro Technique? And why is it named after a tomato? We’ll get to the tomato part in a bit.Įssentially, the Pomodoro Technique is the methodology of splitting larger tasks into smaller intervals of work. Sometimes called The Pomodoro Method, this technique is a tried and true method for increasing productivity. They suggest turning off notifications, exercising regularly, and canceling nonessential meetings. There are plenty of articles with tips and tricks for staying productive.

Whether it’s social media, our families, our pets, or simply a short attention span, maximizing productivity can be nearly impossible when you’re running a business and trying to live a healthy, fulfilled lifestyle.

But the truth is, all of us struggle with distractions. That’s what every guide, blog, and interview with a successful business owner tells us.

If you’re not productive, you’re not going to succeed. One of the most frustrating realities of being an entrepreneur is having to find ways to maximize your productivity.
