Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#1

Post by wgoto » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 5:33 PM UTC

I did some research and wrote about how the default 25-minute time intervals is better for breaking a procrastination habit, but longer time intervals like 50 minutes are actually needed to do deep work. Link: https://tinyurl.com/r5drje9p

I know only like one person who actually does the technique. So if you do pomodoro, how has it helped and in what ways? How do you make it stick?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#2

Post by Communitivity » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:00 PM UTC

I have a friend with ADD worse than mine. The technique is a godsend to them and they credit it with getting many projects done. I think this is in part due to needing to think through the problem and break it into smaller pomodoro sized chunks. I suspect the exercise of breaking the problem into smaller chunks also helps them understand the problem better.

I only use the technique some of the time. I find the same results as above when I do. When I use the technique I don't use a sound alarm as I find it breaks my flow. Instead I tend try to break work into 20m bites, giving myself a 5-10 minute grace period/break. I try to get up and stretch at the 25m mark, then get back to work. It helps my focus on long slogs, and my health has also improved since I am no longer doing the 4-6h without moving from my chair anymore.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#3

Post by wgoto » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:16 PM UTC

Communitivity wrote: post #2

I have a friend with ADD worse than mine. The technique is a godsend to them and they credit it with getting many projects done. I think this is in part due to needing to think through the problem and break it into smaller pomodoro sized chunks. I suspect the exercise of breaking the problem into smaller chunks also helps them understand the problem better. I only use the technique some of the time. I find the same r…

Just curious, what kind of work are you usually doing when you use the technique? What makes you decide to use it versus not?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#4

Post by patatino » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:17 PM UTC

I try to ride any good session I can for 3-4 hours. I do not need a break after 25minutes, and the most challenging part is getting into it for me, not staying in it.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#5

Post by pryelluw » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:24 PM UTC

I do Netflix-pomodoro. Put on a show and work for one episode, break for the next. Repeat. I’m ridiculously productive this way.

Note that I aim for shows with episodes that last less than 30 minutes. The office was a great show to use but sadly was removed. Now using community.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#6

Post by GoldenMonkey » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:35 PM UTC

I use the 25/5 pomodoro whenever I have tight programming deadlines.

I can get so much focus/productive work done that way.

I use a software timer and turn off all distractions. It is invaluable.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#7

Post by malux85 » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:40 PM UTC

No, because my tasks are too varied to be timeboxed into arbitrarily defined slots,

The most valuable thing for me is developing my meta-cognition and self awareness, so I know when my productivity is starting to dip and I take a break, do exercise or take a nap.

It took me a while to get this right because my high ambition and drive would be impatient with my need to rest and push me to continue, but like so many things in life, realising the path to success is not a straight line to be brute-forced, but complex path that is subject to update and reorientation, once I accepted this, productivity skyrocketed.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#8

Post by wiml » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:40 PM UTC

I don't think pomodoro is appropriate for all work. Quite a lot of work really wants a 3-4 hour long session (after which I need to eat and move around a little, or I'd stretch it longer). But for some things a 15-20 minute pomodoro session is perfect.

(For physical tasks I use podcasts, like pryelluw's Netflix technique. Bonus points if there's a podcast whose release schedule matches how often I have to do a particular task.)

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#9

Post by kehrin » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:42 PM UTC

I use the Pomodoro at the end of a semester to study for longer periods without burning out. That way of studying works better than anything else for me.

Breaks are short enough that your mind doesn't wander too far and often enough, to not feel like a break is still 4 hours away.

The benefit of this is that it turns the whole process into a habit. It's not about today or tomorrow, but rather about the 2-3 weeks that you spent studying. This helps me with feeling positive about the progress I made (even if it's small).

Some things that help me:

- Reminding myself that I took those 8 hours for myself (to get things done)

- Having a deadline (exams) allows me to schedule topics (set expectations low)

- I don't have any apps to doomscroll (twitter, facebook, instagram), so a 5 minute break is plenty to respond to a friend

- Most of my breaks are not spent on my phone (getting water, fresh air, walking around house, stretching, talking to people)

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone actually use the Pomodoro technique?

#10

Post by xyzal » Mon, Mar 29, 2021, 6:47 PM UTC

I use a pomodoro timer as a break reminder only, and it helps me to stay productive for the whole day. It is too easy for me to work non-stop since the morning, but that way I feel too exhausted in the early afternoon to do anything of significance.