The Pomodoro Technique Can Help You Be More Productive

You’ve probably heard of the Pomodoro Technique: You work on a task for a set period without interruption (no texts, no Instagram, no Twitter), followed by a 5-10-minute break. Pomodoro is widely promoted as a way of life that can combat distraction, procrastination, and inefficiency—though some experts caution that it may be getting overhyped. “It’s a great tool, but there’s a limited utility,” says time-management strategist Kelly Nolan. Think of it as something that best suits most people for about one to three hours per day. Here’s how to get the most out of it.

1. Pick your task. Where do your focus and efficiency dependably flounder? Nolan suggests using Pomodoro for jobs you’re unexcited about, such as administrative tasks, calls and emails, or work you’ve been putting off. Engineering teams commonly bang out coding “sprints” in Pomodoro sessions.