What Is The Minimalist Pomodoro Technique and Why It Works The Best

Buy me a coffee

I tweaked the Pomodoro Technique to create the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique. They are similar but different. My changes in progress massively improved the positive results of the Pomodoro Technique for me.

I believe my Minimalist Pomodoro Technique will yield similar, if not vastly better positive results for you.

Please find out for yourself and tell me what you think.

What Is The Minimalist Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It uses a kitchen timer to break work into 25-minute intervals, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro.

The Pomodoro Technique also encourages people to efficiently work with the time they have instead of making excuses to work against it.

What Is the benefit of The Pomodoro Technique?

The philosophy behind the Pomodoro Technique is to create a sense of intention in the user and create a sense of urgency. Rather than believe you have all day or all the possible time allotted to complete a task.

People tend to use all the time they have allotted for a task even when it can be completed in a fraction of that time. They tend to lean toward squandering the extra time with useless delays and distractions.

People usually will take all of the time allotted to complete a task. If people are given two weeks they will take two weeks. If they are given 3 days they will become more productive and complete the task in three days.

The belief is when a task is allotted 25-minute intervals no time is squandered with useless distractions because the work is perceived as more time-sensitive and intentional.

The 25-minute breaks are used to prevent burnout, and fatigue and offer time for useless distractions if needed. I found I tended to wish for more time than the 25-minute intervals as opposed to me normally looking at the clock hoping the day would go by faster.

How To Use The Minimalist Pomodoro Technique

I must admit, I thought I invented the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique. I instinctively found I tend to be more productive spending short bursts of time working on a task. Not a system but it is something I always noticed.

I tried the Pomodoro Technique and it was more effective than I thought it would be. The timer was the key for me. It added structure and helped me avoid squandering time and indulging in my usual favorite distractions.

I decided to strip the Pomodoro Technique down to its minimal working parts creating what I call the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique.

This is how I use my newfound Minimalist Pomodoro Technique to partner with time and work best for me:

Create a singular focus on a task.
Set the timer in your mind to symbolize 25 min, intervals.
Only work on the task at hand in its allotted time.
If you are not tired or bored keep working until you are.
Stop working when you are tired or bored, take a five-minute break, or work on a different task.
Repeat steps 1-5 when changing tasks. Don’t do more than three at a time.
Treat yourself to a lunch-like break when a task is completed.

I know what you are thinking. Lunch like a break? Five minutes or more breaks in between tasks? Yeah, I don’t believe in Hustle Porn or working yourself to death. It does not work anyway. It just leads to resentment, burnout, and bad personal relationships.

Also, working on a different task changes your focus and resource used on the previous task. This will energize you as you will begin using rested resources on the new task.

For some reason, I can be working on a blog post until I am dead tired and bored. I can then stop and work on another blog post or training and be full of renewed energy. Something about switching tasks gives me renewed energy.

I believe in working hard but in a sustainable manner. Working at a pace and intensity you can comfortably sustain for the long term. Take physical and mental breaks when you feel the need.

I can keep that pace up all day long.

Getting Started

Using the Minimalist Pomodoro method, you segment your workday into 25-minute focus periods followed by five-minute breaks. Each of these focus periods and plus. a break period is called a Pomodoro. The Italian word for Tomato.

Working in small 25-minute intervals felt unusual. It seemed to interrupt my flow, and my rhythm, but I stopped working after each interval anyway. I like being tricked into wanting more time to work on whatever task I was working on.

It forced me to become hyper-focused, regroup, bounce around new thoughts, and then continue working. At each 25-minute interval, I actually did not take a break in the usual sense. I did not begin doom scrolling on social media, watching a YouTube video, or even checking email.

I was like a prizefighter, pacing in his corner between rounds, hyper-focused to continue the fight. This was new for me because I always look for a reason to goof off and call it multitasking.

There are obvious times when the Pomodoro Technique is inappropriate. Like during Zoom meetings, when working some paid jobs, and during emergencies. I could not imagine taking a break every 25 minutes. Even worst have me pacing in front of you, staring intently after every 25 minutes. LOL.

This is why I use what I call the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique. I just use the basic rules closely. I try to stick to the 25-minute intervals but I do not use a timer all of the time. I guesstimate or work until I feel a little fatigued.

Then I don’t take a break I just do something else for the next 25 minutes or so. Using different muscles and Resources. These intervals are usually 30 to 45 minutes because that is about the most time I could do anything before feeling bored or fatigued.

My Minimalist Pomodoro Technique is not limited to just work. I try to Benefit from it for everything during the day. Along with Bullet journaling, my days usually go smoothly without any productivity problems.

Here are some tips and tricks for you to implement your own version or the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique:

Get rid of the physical timer or use your phone. Use your internal clock and break at intervals that work best for you. Sometimes things need an extra 5 or 10 minutes to be done just right. Sometimes things are done in 10 minutes and it’s time to move on.

I believe it’s the perfect combination of work and rest to maximize productivity. As Minimalist productivity means working to complete a task by finding the point where the minimal amount of effort meets optimal result, causing less wear and tear on mind, body, and spirit.

Minimalist Pomodoro Technique Mindset

The best way to maximize your results and ensure success is to hold yourself accountable. Believe there is no plan “B”. Get a friend to help keep you accountable.

Stay in touch with each other in real time. Time break with each other whether in person or virtual. You can have multiple partners. They don’t have to be co-workers or even people you have ever met.

If you are not able to find someone to mentor you or share the actual experience with you, try to find someone willing to give emotional support. A friend or loved one you can discuss your ups, downs, and intentions with for moral support.

You and your mindset have to believe in the process and be creative. There is no failer when you give the Minimalist Pomodoro Technique a try. You will find success if you have the mindset to be successful.

Content incremental success in life is the most powerful.

Conclusion

There is something very powerful about the body working very hard long-term with intervals of rest and work. I believe my Minimalism Pomodoro Technique 10X that awesome power by resting the mental and physical resources used to complete one task to engage other slightly different mental and physical resources to begin another.

Please give my Minimalist Pomodoro Technique a try. I am sure you will be presently surprised. Also, comment or even thank me below.