Sometimes, the difficulty in writing simply lies in staying seated, continuing to work, and not constantly getting distracted by seemingly more important things. To boost concentration, you can try the Pomodoro Technique:
- Divide upcoming tasks into 25-minute segments, called pomodori.
- During a pomodoro, you must do nothing but focus on this task – no getting up, making phone calls, eating, drinking, checking emails etc.
- After successfully working through 25 minutes, a pomodoro is “done”. As a reward, you get five minutes of free time. After four pomodori, you can take a longer break.
Especially for tasks that do not immediately yield visible results, the completed pomodori illustrate just how much work you have actually done and help keep you motivated – for example, when reading, thinking, revising etc.
The technique can also help you keep rising panic under control: simply focus on checking off one pomodoro after another.
Preparation
Here’s what you need for this technique:
- A kitchen timer, stopwatch, or your phone
- Weekly plan, to-do list, or schedule – in other words, work tasks arranged by priority and the time required
- Pen and paper
Let’s get started!
- Set the timer to 25 minutes.
- Work with focus on the chosen task (do not get distracted; briefly note any distracting thoughts).
- When the timer rings, mark the spot you have reached – for example, with an X or a tomato.
- Five minutes break: relax, switch off, do some light physical exercise – then repeat the pomodoro three more times.
- After four pomodori (= 2 hours), take a long break of 15 to 30 minutes. You can now allow thoughts that have nothing to do with your work; ideally, leave your workspace.
Literature: Cirillo, Francesco (n.d.): The Pomodoro Technique. http://pomodorotechnique.com (28.09.21)
Frequently asked questions
When can the Pomodoro Technique help me?
This technique can support you in your writing process: it helps you develop a time management method for all kinds of tasks, boosts your concentration, and enables you to organize your work more effectively.
Can I adapt the Pomodoro Technique?
If you notice that other time intervals work better for you, you can adapt the method to your individual needs. Just make sure to include enough breaks in your working time.
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This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in November 2024.