I've been using this technique for 10yrs now, I find that it really helps (even in 25mins or 50mins sessions).
I know only one person who actually does the technique daily.
So, if you do Pomodoro, how do you use it? How do you make it stick?
I didn't like it because I hated getting interrupted after 25 minutes. It kept breaking my focus.
What I found worked well for me instead was "count up" pomodoro.
- Start a stop watch or simple wrist watch and leave it on your desk.
- If you glance at it and it is less than 25 minutes, keep going.
- Else if it is over 25 minutes, take a break if you feel like it. Write down how much time you worked. At the end of day, add up your time.
I use Pomodoro occasionally (~few times a year)when I really need to focus on some unpleasant task.
The rest of the time I rely on screaming at myself inside my head.
I used pomodoro for years via a CLI tool I built:
Yes but not for anything requiring deep thought as the intervals don't lend itself to that style of work for me.
But any admin tasks, emails, etc work great.
I don't use it. Somehow I'm constantly checking how much time remains. Can't get into the flow. And if I do get into any kind of flow state, the last thing I want is to get interrupted by a timer.
I think it might work great for physical work. Remembering to stretch or take a break. But, for me, not for any type of brainy work.