%% parent:: [[Productivity]] %% # Pomodoro Technique The Pomodoro Technique relies on the concept of timeboxing, in which you dedicate a certain amount of time to work on a planned activity, in order to improve your overall focus and [[Productivity]]. And then — and this is crucial — you take a break. The idea is to break up your work into smaller intervals of focus to be able to create better momentum throughout your day. It also pairs nicely with a [[Getting Things Done (GTD)|Getting Things Done]] approach, since if you finish your task, you’ve already identified your next actions. I also find it helpful during pandemic stay-at-home orders, where time and space basically no longer exist… but you still need to find some way to break up the day and keep focus. ## Personal Application My favourite flow is 25 minutes focused work, with a 5 minute break. This pattern works nicely with scheduling meetings as well. By scheduling a 25/5 interval, it fits well into the traditional 30 minute (or multiples of 30 minutes) time slot, and the five minute minimum leaves time to regain focus (and get that next cup of coffee…) before the next meeting. Now if only this would catch on… The idea of “I’ll just work for 25 minutes” also acts as a motivator to dive in on days where you are having trouble getting started or finding focus. Twenty-five minutes isn’t long, and as you start to work, the momentum builds. Suddenly you look at your task list and realize you’ve been flying through it. ## Pomodoro Timers There are at least three different pomodoro-based plugins for Obsidian,[^1] though I use neither. Since Obsidian is only one tool in my [[Productivity Toolbox]], I like to keep it separate from any one app. I’ve been exploring different options including macOS menu bar apps with iOS counterparts, or even just asking Siri very nicely to set a 25 minute timer… but if you have recommendations, hit me up on the [Obsidian Discord](https://discord.gg/veuWUTm) *(Leah#9156)*. ###### References [Asian Efficiency - The Ultimate Guide to The Pomodoro Technique](https://www.asianefficiency.com/motivation/pomodoro-technique-ultimate-guide/# "The Ultimate Guide to The Pomodoro Technique") [^1]: [Day Planner](https://github.com/lynchjames/obsidian-day-planner) which is so much more than just a pomodoro timer, [Obsidian Pomodoro Plugin](https://github.com/tokuhirom/obsidian-pomodoro-plugin), and [Status Bar Pomo Timer for Obsidian](https://github.com/kzhovn/statusbar-pomo-obsidian)