#26 The Pomodoro technique

25 minutes of focus to get things done

People often ask me how long it takes to write my essays. 80% of the time it takes me precisely 25 minutes. How do I know the exact number? The Pomodoro technique.

The Pomodoro technique is simple - you focus on a single task, and a single task only, for 25 minutes straight and take a 5 minute break after. Right now, as I'm writing this essay, my timer is set and the clock is ticking. I need to write this essay, rewrite it, generate an image, and polish it to fit in a screenshot.

Pomodoro technique is helpful in several ways. It forces you to choose a single focus point. Because you are not multi-tasking, you are able to get a lot more done in a short span of time.

The time limit is an important feature. The tasks tend to expand based on the time you allocate to them. The less time you allow for the task, the faster you will get done with it. It also makes sure that I'm not overthinking stuff. The limit makes the habit of daily writing sustainable - if writing would take me 2 hours every day, I wouldn't be able to focus on work.

Pomodoro is a simple, yet effective technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes, pick a task, and get to work. You will be surprised how much you will accomplish during that time.

Here is a Mac app and a Chrome extension you can use to track time. If you found this essay helpful, consider sharing it with your network.