Braindump Index Trail

Pomodoro Technique

20 November 2021·Sabiqul Hoque

The principle is to have a dedicated work and break period and follow those timings religiously. The user is meant to cycle between the two periods and occasionally has a larger break after a set number of work periods. The default work:break timing suggested is 25:5 minutes with a larger 15 minute break after the 4th work period.

There are variations that exist such as the Reverse Pomodoro Method. Variations to the timing can be done such as:

  • 52:17
  • 112:26
  • 60:10

Other Points

Continue in the flow state during a pomodoro session instead of having a break

Captured from iPad at 9 May 2022 at 2:54:27 pm from The Danger of the Pomodoro Method - Why Most People are Using it Wrong - Zach Highley

Also mentioned in 26 upgrades to theo pomodoro method to maximise focus

For example, this often happens in my first or second Pomodoro session of the day; I will feel motivated and ready to learn (crazy, right). As I am approaching the end of my first 25-minute Pomodoro session, I realize, “hmm, I still want to study; I am not ready for a break!” So, I don’t mindlessly follow the Pomodoro session; as soon as the timer hits the end of the 25-minutes, I set it back 25 more minutes and keep studying. I stay in the flow state.

Notably, after my now 50-minute session, instead of the 25-minute session, I take the associated increased break time, 10 minutes instead of 5.

If you absolutely need to take a break, then take a break

Captured on: [2022-05-14 Sat 12:56], from 26 Upgrades to the Pomodoro Method to Maximize Focus - YouTube

Pitfalls

Important to decide task to complete before pomodoro begins

Captured from iPad at 9 May 2022 at 1:49:28 pm from The Danger of the Pomodoro Method - Why Most People are Using it Wrong - Zach Highley

Don’t cram much into the breaks

Captured from iPad at 9 May 2022 at 2:49:05 pm from The Danger of the Pomodoro Method - Why Most People are Using it Wrong - Zach Highley

I feel people can sometimes get too crazy over the exact study break timing with the Pomodoro method. For example, some people plan to eat lunch or squeeze in a workout during their 30-minute break. That’s silly. Trust me; if you use the Pomodoro method correctly, you will receive golden study time during those focus sessions. Your efficiency during those focus sessions, those 25-minute intervals, will allow you to take longer breaks as long as two hours if you need. And the occasional longer break, for lunch or exercising, will help you perform better when you come back to studying (I’ve talked about how breaks enable you to perform better here).

Avoid addictive activities during the break

Ref: Why I am able to stay completely focused when I study - MDprospect

  • During the break, he doesn’t go on youtube or social media because you generally want to watch more and more
  • Clean around the houes, do dishes, go outside, exercise instead
  • Don’t reward yourself with unhealthy habits
    • Don’t play video games and eat junk food after studying for long times as it trains your brain to think that studying is a barrier to comfort and fun
    • Need to train your brain to think that studying is making you a better person and promising you a better future
    • The best reward he gives himself is taking the time to think and feel that he has accomplished so much because of these sessions
    • Think that anything easier than this in the future, he can manage
    • Then he can make some time to exercise, cook some food and engage with family and friends

Useful Resources

Feeds

  • Pomodoro vs Deep Work

Source

Captured on: [2022-05-14 Sat 13:01], from 26 Upgrades to the Pomodoro Method to Maximize Focus - YouTube. Other sources as above

Backlinks

Productivity Techniques

Productivity Techniques

  • Eat the Frog
  • Pomodoro Technique
  • Startup Ritual
  • Ivy‑Lee Method
  • Temptation Bundling
  • Boredom can be a source of motivation
  • Showtime trick
  • Go to the library to study
  • 3 task rule
  • When you have nothing to do, turn to work
  • Discrete Assignments
  • Shutdown ritual
  • Length of Work Sessions
  • Distraction‑Free Phone
  • Exercise Every Day
  • Third Time

Importantly while all these techniques (and more exist), how you do things, does not matter as long as what you wish to get done, gets done (and even if it doesn’t, it probably does not matter long term either).

Cite this note 
@online{hoque2025pomodoro,
  author = {Sabiqul Hoque},
  title = {Pomodoro Technique},
  year = {2025},
  url = {https://sabicool.github.io/Braindump/notes/20250331133305-pomodoro_technique.html},
  organization = {Braindump}
}