Discovery · Tools and Strategies
Pomodoro Technique: The good and the bad.
The Pomodoro technique has the following steps: Decide on the task to be done.Set the Pomodoro timer (typically for 25 minutes). Work on the task.
- The Pomodoro technique has the following steps:
- Decide on the task to be done.Set the Pomodoro timer (typically for 25 minutes).
- Work on the task.
- End work when the timer rings and take a short break (typically 5–10 minutes).[4]
- If you have finished fewer than three pomodoros, go back to Step 2 and repeat until you go through all three pomodoros.
- After three pomodoros are done, take the fourth pomodoro and then take a long break (typically 20 to 30 minutes). Once the long break is finished, return to step 2.The challenges for people with ADHD is that:
- The assumption that we will be able to focus correctly after the break may be very challenged.
- Pomodoro can ruin an ADHD person’s ability to hyperfocus. Instead of getting lost for hours into a project the time is broken up and the project might not be got back into. If you want to do a big piece of work we recommend AGAINST using Pomodoro.
- However, if you’re doing small tasks and want to make sure you stop after a period and are aiming to ensure you don’t get lost into hyperfocus on them then we do recommend Pomodoro.
- Summary – for big projects Pomodoro can be a disaster because for many it breaks the ADHD strength of hyperfocus. For small tasks Pomodoro can be very useful in breaking focus to help avoid dropping into hyperfocus and spending too much time on something.
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Ratings and comments come from people with ADHD sharing what helped them. They are experiences, not medical advice.
I dont know why but to me it feels like a prison:(
I’ve never heard of this technique and will look into it. I often find starting projects daunting as they seem too much even though I know I can do them. This may help for smaller ones.
I can see the value in using this technique in limited contexts - say, helping a school student with ADHD to focus on homework. It links in very well with 'Accelerated Learning' principles (see Alastair Smith - brilliant) in recognising that the brain (that's 'anyone's' brain too) works at its best for a limited time before it begins to switch off.
i like to use this for getting started on big tasks, because if the timer goes off then i dont have to stop its just a thing for me to get started but it also helps with little tasks like chores.
I hate it. It never ends in sync with my work and just tries to interrupt me when I am in flow.
I tend to use the Pomodoro Technique only when struggling to get the motivation to start a task and not being able to focus on it.
I would not use this for big tasks, as I often get stuck when going back to the task and find I will start all over again. However I will try this for smaller tasks, such as clearing up untidiness.
I love this method and works well for me trying to get housework started, I just can't always get motivated to do it.
I love this method and works well for me trying to get housework started, I just can't always get motivated to do it.
I love this method and works well for me trying to get housework started, I just can't always get motivated to do it.
I love this method and works well for me trying to get housework started, I just can't always get motivated to do it.
I would not use this for big tasks, as I often get stuck when going back to the task and find I will start all over again. However I will try this for smaller tasks, such as clearing up untidiness.
I tend to use the Pomodoro Technique only when struggling to get the motivation to start a task and not being able to focus on it.
I hate it. It never ends in sync with my work and just tries to interrupt me when I am in flow.
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