This article was originally posted on my blog.
These are my thoughts and some tips that I have gathered using the Pomodoro Technique, both at work...
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Nice explanation. One thing I found, was that it's important to acknowledge when you just can't focus. I find, that if i start a pomodoro and struggle like crazy to stay focused, it's better to stop it, and take a longer break (15-30-60 minutes depending) and then come back and try again. If I force myself to keep at it, I end up more frustrated and worked up over not being able to focus, and things just end up worse. For those breaks, do something that is well removed from what you were trying to accomplish. If you were on the computer, go for a walk or get a coffee/tea/water. Get away from the computer - don't let yourself just waste time on twitter/fb.
A great web site for this is kanbanflow.com/ It lets you set up a kanban board per day or week. Then you can set up each task based upon how many pomodoro's each takes.
It also incorporates the pomorodo timer as well. So you can select the task, start the timer, and get busy.
Easy to use: You can set your alarm, add check list, change background colors, choose your ringtones, … Simple and beautiful UI, check it out here: Pomodoros - Android Apps on Google Play
I'm still not convinced pomodoro works very well when you're suffering from an executive processing disorder.
Sure, it seems like it would help ADHD sufferers, but whenever I try to use it (diagnosed ADHD) I end up either ignoring the bell for two reasons. Either a) I've dropped into hyper-focus and there exists nothing but what I'm working on until I get derailed or b) I've been involuntarily context-switching the entire time and my lower frustration threshold kicks in and I lose motivation to continue the process.
Hyper-focus is great for getting things done. It's not good for eating healthy, meeting family obligations, or being aware of anything going on around you at more than a superficial level. It is also difficult to engage hyper-focus on purpose for things that you aren't at least 80% interested in.
The opposite is also frustrating. Things capture my attention and send me spiraling off on brief tangents and diversions. Worse, some of these things may trigger hyper-focus themselves. A video playing somewhere in my field of vision has a good chance of capturing my attention.
Yes, things are better on meds, but it's not like my brain becomes normal... it just has some of the edges filed off. And if I'm dealing with stress, that cuts right through the meds and reactivates a bunch of my mal-adaptive coping strategies.
Much more effective to me is just to be kind to myself and find ways to make what I'm doing more interesting (making things elegant, working on the hard parts first) or require less attention to complete (chopping things up, lists).
I love pomodoro! The thing that helped me stick to pomodoro: Apple Watch.
Having a silent timer I can look at whenever I start 'wandering' keeps me on track.
Sounds interesting , will surely try
Sometimes, all we need is a short break...
I'll try to use pomodoro technique. (y)