Increase Your Focus with Pomodoro

Easy strategy to study in small timeframes with planned breaks

As I mentioned in Study Less with Study Smarts, to optimize our time and study less we need to increase our focus. Once you have identified some study sessions in your day, let’s talk about how to help create real focus during those sessions using the Pomodoro technique. Named after a tomato-shaped timer that Francesco Cirillo used to track his own work as a college student, this technique is simple and easy to start using right now.

Increase Your Focus with Pomodoro

The Pomodoro technique is so simple and powerful. It requires a single tool you already have (a timer), and just four steps:

1. Set a timer (25 minutes)
2. Activate your ninja-like focus and work until the timer goes off
3. Take a short break (10 minutes)
4. Every 4 Pomodoro’s, take a longer break (30 min)

To be effective it requires intention and focus while the timer is running. It also clearly defines a start and end to your focus. Mentally this can be an amazing motivator. I like to plan ahead of time what my break is going to be so I have it to look forward to as extra motivation. Maybe I’ll plan to brew some fresh coffee, go play a game of hide-and-seek with my daughter, or finally find out what happens at the end of the TV show I am watching.

Pomodoro Technique With Your Schedule

I think there is a lot of power in this simple technique, though I am less in love with step 4, to complete four consecutive Pomodoro study sessions and then take a longer break. The risk here is deciding you don’t have a full hour to work through four Pomodoros so you decide not to study at all.

A normal way of thinking, but definitely not helping us meet our goals. Here is how I adjust the technique:

• Plan your day so you know how long your study session can last. Let’s say your first study session is for 30 minutes.
• Set a timer for 30 minutes
• Activate your ninja-like focus and work until the timer goes off
• Take a short 5-10 minute break
• Continue on with your day until your next scheduled study session

Doesn’t it feel painless? I can do just about anything for 30 minutes! Even if you are studying something and it is not inspiring you, you can work at it for 30 solid minutes. Then you get to move on to something more engaging.

If you do have an hour to study, then, by all means, use this technique to complete two iterations!

If you are procrastinating and struggling to make progress in your studies, this is a great strategy to start making forward momentum. Use this strategy to increase your focus and pair it with the #1 way to beat procrastination and you’ll be feeling better about your studies in no time!

Free Resources to Get Started

To get started practicing the Pomodoro technique you need a timer of any kind. A kitchen timer works, or use the built-in timer on your smartphone. For those who want a specialized tool, there are lots of free options. Try out some of these free Pomodoro tools:

• pomodoro-tracker.com – free web app
• Clockwork Tomato – free Android app
• Focus Keeper Free – free Apple app

Have you tried Pomodoro? What was your experience with it?

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