You Can (and Should) Modify the Pomodoro Technique to Fit Your Work Habits

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The Pomodoro technique-so named for the tomato-shaped timer its originator used to track his own work schedule-is widely considered one of the best productivity techniques out there. That's why I've recommended it a lot in the past and why it regularly appears on best-of lists of productivity methods.

It's simple: Set a timer for 25 minutes (or use a specially designed app) and work on a task for that amount of time, then take a five-minute break before setting the timer and working again. After four 25-minute cycles, you get a longer break. In theory, this keeps you both motivated and clear-headed.

Beloved as it is, it doesn't work for everyone. Nothing does. But don't lose hope. You can-and should!-modify it to fit your needs.

Why the Pomodoro technique works-and why it sometimes doesn't

The idea behind Pomodoro is a good one. Generally, two factors dramatically improve productivity: Taking periodic breaks and diving into focused, deep work on one task without doing a bunch of other stuff at the same time. Since focused work and breaks are built into this technique, it can push you to get a lot done in those 25-minute bursts, whether you're grinding away on a work project, studying for a test, cleaning the house, or answering emails.

Sinking into the zone of "deep work" is easier for some people than others, though, which is why Pomodoro fans sometimes report that the 25-minute allotments just aren't enough. In other cases, 25 minutes may be too long for knocking out simple tasks, leading you to get distracted. Just because something is considered the gold standard doesn't mean it works at the gold-medal level for everybody.

There are times when you can't work, for instance, and you're forced into a period of inactivity (which you should embrace). Other times, it's a lack of motivation, not resources, that stalls you. For me, whether Pomodoro works in its standard format is dependent entirely on what I'm doing and engaged I am. Some people can lock in for 25 minutes on even the most tedious task, but I am not one of them.

In fact, when it comes to productivity, the approach that works best for me is the two-minute rule, or doing something the moment I think of it. Today, I had to do a uniquely unpleasant cleaning task. The urge hit me at 7 a.m., so I got right to it; had I been preoccupied with a set schedule, I would have procrastinated. I couldn't have done that task for a sustained 25 minutes, but I was able to chip away in five- and 10-minute blocks with gratuitous Instagram breaks in between. Instead of getting down on myself for being unable or unwilling to follow the most tried-and-true structure in the productivity world, I was proud of myself for doing the thing, no matter what the process looked like. Give yourself similar grace as you endeavor to modify Pomodoro to suit your needs, even if they differ from task to task.

How to modify the Pomodoro technique

Don't toss out the concept altogether if you're not finding it effective for you. Instead, modify it. I recommend spending a few weeks diligently tracking your time. You can use time-tracking software or a plain old spreadsheet, but as you're working through your to-do list, keep notes on when you feel like you've entered a deep work phase. You'll know it's happening when working is feeling smooth, you're not distracted by anything, and time is flowing by as you're getting results. Also keep track of when you start to feel distracted, as well as how much you actually got done at the end of each 25-minute Pomodoro set. Finally, keep track of how you feel during and after your break times. Doing all this helps you with a concept called "flowtime," also known as "flowmodoro." There's more to it than that, but tracking your work time, and the feelings you experience during it, is the first step.

After a few weeks, go through your data and look for patterns. Did you struggle to get into the zone when cleaning your kitchen every time that task came up? Did you find you only hit a "deep work" phase 15 minutes into your work time, leaving you with only 10 minutes to truly get things done before your timer went off? Did you feel ready for a break when one rolled around, or did you spend your five minutes of off time distracted by everything you still had to do? Did you feel rejuvenated when it was time to get back to work or was the idea unappealing?

Ideally, you should be in a flow state for those 25 minutes, be able to enjoy your break time with little anxiety, and feel eager to get back to being productive when it's time to reset the timer. If those things aren't true, you can modify the technique. If it takes you longer to get into the zone, give yourself more work time. If you can't get comfy during your breaks, make those longer. As you make adjustments, keep tracking your time, feelings, and output until you find a work-break balance that works. For an example of how one person managed this, consider animedoro, a Pomodoro spin-off invented by a college student who sought to work longer so he could take breaks long enough to finish an episode of anime. Using your own personal motivators as a guide can be helpful.

Again, the core tenets of this technique-focused work and consistent breaks-are proven to be effective for productivity. It's the 25-minute blocks that can be a little subjective and arbitrary; that part is just based on what worked for the guy who invented this, so if he could pick time blocks that worked for him, why can't you? As long as you're committed to doing deep work and giving yourself breaks, it doesn't actually matter how long you're allotting for yourself to do either. Just keep in mind that working too long can make you unproductive, so do try not to give yourself too much time there.