If you've ever found yourself in a motivational rut, struggling to stay productive, you may have googled something along the lines of 'how to be more productive' or 'productivity methods'.

Perhaps you've heard of the Pomodoro method. But, what does this method do, and how can you apply it? In this article, we will explain how the method works and its origins.

The Basics of Pomodoro

The Pomodoro method isn't a new revelation by any means. It is around forty years old, having been created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. Cirillo was struggling to keep on top of university work and decided to try and simply commit 10 minutes of his time to study as a starting point.

In order to successfully carry out this challenge, Cirillo decided to use a simple tomato-shaped kitchen timer to keep himself in check. The timer, named Pomodoro after the Italian word for tomato, could simply be twisted to set a specific time, and would then, of course, ring once the time was up.

pomodoro kitchen timer
Image Credit: marcoverch/Flickr

Cirillo found this to be an incredibly efficient way to study, given that he wasn't trying to study for hours in a row without a break, an unrealistic goal for many of us. He decided that setting the timer for 25 minutes and then take 5-minute breaks between these 25-minute intervals. So, from this realization, the Pomodoro method was created.

What Happened Next?

Many years after the Pomodoro method's creation, Cirillo decided to write a book on it to share his method with the world. The book, named 'The Pomodoro Technique', was published in 2008 and goes into depth about its method. From here, people started to catch on with this effective work and study method.

In his book, Cirillo explains why the technique is so effective and explains why it works better than simply trying to study for as long as possible with no clear goals or milestones. So, what are the pros of Pomodoro?

woman working on laptop

1. Cutting Down on Distractions: Given that a typical Pomodoro work window only lasts 25 minutes, the idea is that you put your phone, or any other distractions, aside and totally focus on what you're working on for this short period.

After all, your friends can probably wait 25 minutes for a reply, and that YouTube video will still be there after the work window ends.

Related: Step Up Your Pomodoro Productivity With These 6 Methods

2. Creating a Reliable Schedule: With Pomodoro, the idea is that your work windows are fixed at a certain time limit. Because of this, you can plan your day more efficiently, without thinking, 'how long will that take me?'.

If you know how many work windows you want to complete, and how long each will be (if you want to extend or shorten them a little), you can then plan your day around them.

man struggling to work

3. Reaching Each Window Deadline is an Accomplishment: When you have a timer letting you know that you have completed another work window every 25 minutes, it makes you feel a lot more productive and accomplished. Milestones like this keep you motivated.

4. Short Windows are Better than Unrealistic Stretches: The average human has an attention span of 12 seconds. 12 seconds! When you're working or studying, it's easy to get distracted by pretty much anything.

So, when you tell yourself that you're going to study for four hours straight, you might very likely be setting yourself up for failure. Pomodoro avoids this by keeping work windows short.

How Can I Integrate Pomodoro Into My Life?

As mentioned previously here, the Pomodoro method is great for those who are trying to up their study time or tackle their workload. However, these certainly aren't the only applications of this method. If there are any tasks that you're not a huge fan of carrying out, you can use this method to get them out of the way.

Related: TickTime: The Best Pomodoro Timer If You Work From Home

If you're simply trying to get the ironing done, do a home workout, meditate, read, or get around to doing anything else that you keep avoiding, the Pomodoro method could really help you out.

Regardless of the task, carving out small windows of time in which you can either get started or get it done, can put the task into perspective and make it a little less daunting.

What Are the Best Pomodoro Apps?

To get started on the Pomodoro method, you may want to consider buying yourself a tomato-shaped timer. However, an app allows you to track your progress, use additional features, and, most importantly, won't cost you a penny!

So, here are some of the best apps that can get you started with the Pomodoro method.

1. Focus To-Do

The Focus To-Do app combines the classic Pomodoro 25-minute timer with an easy-to-use task list. You can keep a log of upcoming tasks, cross off completed ones, and create your own projects.

The app also has a 'strict mode', which prohibits the use of your phone while the timer is going. Be mindful that you do need to give the app certain permissions for this, so only do so if you feel comfortable with it. This mode, however, can only be used with the app's premium version.

With the premium version, you can also back up tasks to the cloud, add unlimited projects, and receive progress reports. This will cost you either $2.99 quarterly, or $8.99 for a lifetime subscription.

Download: Focus To-Do on Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)

2. Foca

Foca operates similarly to Focus To-Do but is slightly more simplistic. It includes a Pomodoro timer, an activity log, and a choice of sounds that you can hear while the timer is running if you're not a fan of working in silence. You can also use the 'Stretch' timer to stretch your arms and legs during your break.

The app also has a premium version, that allows you to unlock all of the sound options, avoid ads, and customize your timer length. You can buy a lifetime subscription to the premium version for around 10 dollars.

Download: Foca for Android | iOS (Free, premium version available)

3. Focus Keeper

The Focus Keeper app is a super simplistic version of the other two mentioned here. You essentially are given two options: use the timer, or view your previous activity. And that's it! This is great for those who simply want a Pomodoro timer without all the added extras.

Download: Focus Keeper for Android | iOS (Free)

Get Productive Quickly With the Pomodoro Method

With this simple technique, you can begin getting tasks done quickly and easily. Who knows, you might boost your productivity levels higher than you thought they could go. Grab your kitchen timer, or download one of the apps above, and get yourself started with the Pomodoro method.