5 Ways to Best Use the Pomodoro Time Management Technique and Who Shouldn’t Use it

And if a quick Pomodoro Technique review would be helpful for you — read on. We’ve tried to touch on all the most important points.

What is the Pomodoro Technique? #

The Pomodoro Technique is perfect for anyone who needs help with concentration but doesn’t want to push themselves to the breaking point.

Is this you?

• I find it hard to start doing something and I’m easily distracted. For example, a student procrastinating before an exam. The Pomodoro Technique makes it easier to pull yourself together in that case.
• I have tons of things to do and don’t know what to focus on. When the tasks are many and time is short, Pomodoro breaks everything down into small steps. For example, a manager with a pile of emails can answer a good part of them in 25 minutes without going crazy.
• Taking on a new endeavor is intimidating. Writing an article or post on your first blog for the first time? After 25 minutes, you’ll already have a good start instead of just sitting there panicking.
• Don’t have a feel for how time flies or when it’s time to stop? You likely have ADHD. In that case, the Pomodoro Technique will give you clear boundaries. Do 25 minutes and then stop. With the help of the Pomodoro Technique, a coder, for example, can adjust his or her personal rhythm so as not burn out from constantly getting carried away and forgetting to rest.
• The Pomodoro Technique is a way to manage your time and stay focused. The question of «what does Pomodoro mean» often arises thanks to the quirky name. «Pomodoro» means «tomato» in Italian, and it got that name from Francesco Cirillo, who invented the method using a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. So, Pomodoro doesn’t just refer to a vegetable — it’s about working in 25-minute bursts with short breaks to keep your brain sharp and get stuff done!

FAQs about the Pomodoro Technique #

• How many pomodoros should I plan for a day?
  It’s up to you, but here’s an average calculation. For 6–7 small tasks per day, each of which will take a maximum of 1 hour, you will get 2 pomodoro per task. That’s a total of 12–14 per day.
• What to do if you finish your task before the pomodoro ends?
  You can look over what you have done again and check if everything is right. Review your progress: what new things did you learn and what could have been improved? Look at the list of upcoming to-do’s for the next pomodoro, prepare everything you need to accomplish them. Just don’t go and check your phone notifications!

How to quickly master the pomodoro technique #

Use a to-do planner with a built-in pomidoro timer. If your planner can count the number of pomidoros per task, your to-do list for the day will automatically improve your productivity.

For example, it can automatically estimate:

• the total time to complete any tasks and accurately schedule time for similar tasks later.
• your productivity: if you look at how many pomidoros you spend on different tasks throughout the day, you may be surprised to find that you’re pouring a lot of hours into the wrong things.

What is the ideal timer for Pomodoro #

First, check that you are already following the basic tips for using a Pomodoro Technique timer. If you are a beginner, start with the classic 25/5 and get deeper into the Pomodoro Method later when you get more comfortable. Most importantly, don’t force yourself if you feel the method isn’t working out. Check whether you fit the bill in our chapter Who Should Stop Using the Pomodoro Technique?

Basic pomodoro technique checklist: #

• Every pomodoro must have a measurable goal. Before using your Pomodoro timer, decide exactly what you want to accomplish over 25 minutes. For example, «Write 3 paragraphs of a letter» or «Read 5 pages of a book». A measurable goal will help you stay focused. You’ll know where you’re going and feel satisfied when the timer goes off.

  Instead of something vague like «Work on a project,» say, «Make a presentation plan.»

• Allow nothing to distract you during the pomodoro. Turn off notifications on your phone, close unnecessary browser tabs, and alert those around you that you are busy for 25 minutes while your pomodoro timer is ticking. The success of the Pomodoro Technique depends entirely on total immersion in the task. If you are constantly getting distracted, 25 minutes will go by in vain.

  Don’t use a Pomodoro timer on your smartphone — otherwise, you’ll be distracted by your phone. Better yet, just put it in another room during the pomodoro.

• Don’t forget the benefits of taking breaks. Just the right break time will unload your brain and body so you don’t burn out by the end of the day. Take care of yourself! Take a 5 minute break and stand up, stretch, drink water, or get some fresh air. After 4 cycles on your Pomodoro timer, take a long 15–30 minute break. Take a walk if you can.

  Instead of flipping through X or Reddit, get some exercise. You don’t need to watch YouTube or TikTok during your breaks. That will tire your brain out with extra information to process. After all, the purpose of a break is to relax!

• Keep track of your progress so you can use the Pomodoro Technique more effectively each time. In a notebook or app, record how many tasks you completed for each run of your pomodoro timer. At the end of the day, evaluate the results: what got done and what didn’t. This way, you’ll see what mistakes to avoid and appreciate your successes.

  Have you noticed that in the morning it is easy to do pomodoros regarding data analysis, and in the afternoon it is easier to write? Now you know the most effective way of tailoring your planning just for you.

Who Should Stop Using the Pomodoro Technique? #

The Pomodoro technique is simple: work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat. It’s great for helping lots of people focus, but it doesn’t suit everyone. Here’s who might want to ditch it or tweak it:

• People Who Love Getting Lost in Creative Work. Artists, writers, or designers who get into a «flow state» might find the constant breaks disruptive. Imagine you’re a writer halfway through an awesome story, or a musician nailing a melody—then ding!—the Pomodoro method timer goes off. Inspiration vanishes. For creative folks, those interruptions can kill the vibe.

• Anyone with a Crazy, Unpredictable Day. If your schedule is chaos, the strict Pomodoro time can feel impractical or stressful. Think of parents with little kids who might spill juice at any second, or emergency workers juggling random crises. Good luck sticking to a 25-minute plan when your toddler’s redecorating the couch or a call comes in!

• People Who’ve Already Figured Out Focus. If you’ve mastered attention—say, with ADHD meds, mindfulness, or your own tricks—the Pomodoro method might feel like extra baggage. It could even hold you back.
  
  We dig into this more in «Is the Pomodoro Technique Good for ADHD?» →
  

• Those Doing Long, Deep Work. Some jobs—like coding, performing live, or solving big puzzles—need hours of solid focus. The Pomodoro technique doesn’t always play nice with that. Picture a coder hunting a tricky bug. They can’t just stop after 25 minutes and say, «Sweet, snack break!» Deep work needs more breathing room.
• People Who Get Stressed by the Timer. If the ticking Pomodoro method timer makes you nervous instead of pumped, or if you’re obsessed with finishing in time, it might mess you up more than help. My close friend tried the Pomodoro method once. She didn’t get stuff done—she just stressed out and bailed. The timer kept going, and she’d freak, «Oh no, I won’t make it!»

Is the Pomodoro Technique Good for ADHD? #

The Pomodoro technique has a clear structure: work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This routine can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed about what comes next. It’s especially helpful for people with ADHD, who often struggle to keep track of time or estimate how long tasks will take.

However, if you’ve already mastered focus through other methods—e.g., medication for ADHD, mindfulness practices, or structured routines—the Pomodoro method timer might feel redundant or overly restrictive. Here’s why this group might not benefit.

• Redundancy. People with conditions like ADHD often develop personalized strategies to manage their attention—whether through medication (e.g., Adderall or Ritalin), therapy, or habits like breaking tasks into micro-steps. If these tools already work, adding a 25-minute Pomodoro method might duplicate effort without providing extra value. For example, someone on ADHD meds might naturally sustain focus for 45–60 minutes, making the frequent breaks unnecessary.
• Overly Restrictive. The rigid Pomodoro time (25 minutes on, 5 minutes off) can clash with a tailored system. Imagine someone who uses mindfulness to stay present for 40-minute bursts—cutting that short at 25 minutes could feel jarring or interrupt a productive groove. The timer becomes a leash rather than a liberation.
• Psychological Friction. For those who’ve conquered attention challenges, the ticking Pomodoro method timer might bring back pressure they’ve already moved past. Instead of feeling empowering, it could spark annoyance or a sense of being micromanaged by an external tool.
• Alternative Fit. These individuals might do better with flexible methods like time-blocking (e.g., dedicating a 2-hour chunk to a project) or working in natural energy cycles (e.g., 90-minute ultradian rhythms). The Pomodoro technique’s one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always match customized focus solutions.
• Example Scenario. Take someone with ADHD who uses a mix of medication and a reward system (e.g., «Work for 50 minutes, then get coffee»). They’ve trained themselves to push through distractions effectively. Introducing the Pomodoro method might force an unnatural break at 25 minutes, disrupting their flow and making the process less rewarding.