Pomodoro method: 10 applications to implement it
Pomodoro, the method that makes you gain in concentration and productivity! The principle remains simple: work intensely and without distractions for 25 minutes, then give yourself a break of 5 minutes. You repeat the exercise 4 times in a row and you get a big break of 15 to 20 minutes.
The goal is to restart the process until the end of a working day. On paper, the method is perfect. In practice, this can be complicated! To comply with the Pomodoro method, you can rely on certain applications. Discover our top 10…
Presentation of the Pomodoro method
The term Pomodoro comes straight from Italy and means «tomato». This time management technique was designed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. In fact, it refers to the kitchen utensil that is the tomato-shaped timer that Cirillo used for himself and with his students to limit work periods.
The Pomodoro method is a unique time management technique. It’s based on the idea that the more complex and difficult a task we think it is, the longer it’s going to take us to do it and the more we risk procrastinating.
The operation of the Pomodoro method is simple. It’s about working intensely for 25 minutes before giving yourself a 5-minute break. When the break is over, you can start working again until the task is complete. This technique is closely related to those of incremental development or timeboxing that you may have already heard about.
You used to work several hours in a row without taking a break? You should try the Pomodoro method, it may well surprise you by the effectiveness of its benefits.
What are the benefits of the Pomodoro method?
Giving yourself a 5-minute break after 25 minutes of intense concentration allows you to be more productive in performing complex tasks.
We often forget the importance of break time when we have our heads in the work. We also tend to consider that taking breaks is a waste of time and a form of procrastination. However, it is by taking regular breaks that you will significantly reduce your physical exertion as well as your mental fatigue (provided they do not stretch).
In addition, the Pomodoro method is a good way to measure the time needed to complete a task. For example, if you have a recurring task to do every morning or at the beginning of the month, using the Pomodoro method, you can now calculate how long it takes to complete that task. You can organize yourself accordingly and evaluate your progress.
Finally, the Pomodoro method is the ideal tool to maintain your motivation and challenge you in your work.
Our tips to take full advantage of the Pomodoro method
The Pomodoro method is very effective in avoiding procrastination and staying focused on your task. However, you can maximize your concentration with the following tips:
- Divide your work into several tasks;
- Restart your timer if you are interrupted during a task;
- Listen to white noise while working;
- Use a Pomodoro app to guide you;
Now that you know everything about this time management technique, we have a list of 10 applications that will keep you focused at all times.
1. nTask
Beyond a personal app to manage your time, nTask is first and foremost a collaboration tool. It makes it possible to define “high-risk” days for maximum control of your activity. nTask is very useful for managing intense workdays, as each task is monitored with an automated timer.
If you are leading a project, you can assign time to each task and collaborator. They can then share their timecard with the rest of the team. This tool also allows you to know the time spent on a project or a customer, in order to better manage your billing.
nTask is a must if you want to optimize your productivity and work better, but faster!
2. PomoDoneApp
PomoDoneApp allows you to import your to-do list from Slack, Trello or Todoist. You timed each task, and then you checked it off once it was completed. At the end of the day, you know the time dedicated to each project.
If you forget to start the timer by starting a task, you can always add the schedules manually. And if you want to extend or decrease working or break times, with PomoDoneApp, it’s easy.
The app has a Google extension compatible with Chrome, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Useful to know or limit the time spent on the Internet or working on a document.
3. Focus10
As its name indicates, Focus 10 is the app that helps you stay focused on your tasks. This 100% Windows application is simple and easy to use, as the interface is free of unnecessary information.
Free, Focus 10 allows you to customize the working and pause times, as with the previous application. As a bonus, its timer can be suspended or reset if you finish a task before the deadline. An ideal tool if you want to test the Pomodoro method, while customizing your working time.
4. Toggl
Toggl follows your navigation and reveals to you the sites that occupy you to the maximum. The objective? To give you a real overview of your working days. Do you spend too much time in your mailbox? Do you check Facebook too many times a day? Or does a customer’s website take up more hours than expected?
You will know everything about your online activity, to put your professional life in order and eliminate distractions.
5. Self-Control
Self-Control is your partner to get rid of bad habits! If you want the Pomodoro method to work, you must remove any distractions. The application, available only on MacOs, blocks websites that divert you from your work: social networks, streaming platforms, mailboxes, press sites, etc.
Add URLs that have a knack for wasting your time and provide time slots where they will not be accessible.
6. Plantie
Plantie is a unique productivity app, it is free and available on Google Play and the App Store. Have you ever imagined an app that allows you to work effectively while virtually growing your favorite fruit? This is possible with Plantie. This application is based on gamification. When you work effectively on your task without being distracted by your phone, your fruits grow and you can harvest them afterwards.
You can use it during your revision days or when you need to focus on an important task.
With this gamed timer, the more you stay focused, the more you’ll unlock features like badges or new fruit to grow. Apples, pumpkins, oranges, blueberries, coconuts or cherries are as many fruits as you can harvest after an intense working session with Plantie.
The small plus of this application is that you can keep track of your progress. Your daily, weekly and general statistics are automatically saved in your application. Practical to measure your productivity!
7. Pomello
Pomello is a Pomodoro method application designed to fit perfectly into your application Trello. If you are used to using Trello, this productivity app is for you. With Pomello, you can easily turn your Trello cards into Pomodoro tasks to help you stay focused and accomplish more in record time.
Even with an app like To do List, we are constantly distracted by all our apps (mails, Skype, Slack). The Pomello application is accompanied by interesting features such as the implementation of a distraction-free design to overcome these constant demands and keep our productivity on target. For example, when you are on your Trello board, Pomello displays your task next to a timer that stays above your window. With this feature, Pomello is always there to remind you of your current task and how much time you have left to complete it.
Know that the basic plan of the application Pomello is free and available on Mac, Windows and Linux. Enjoy!
8. Forest
If you are looking for a great productivity tool, you can also opt for the Forest, let us tell you more about it. A little bit like Plantie, Forest is a fun application that uses the gamification method to make you more productive.
How does it work? When you start a work session, open your Forest app and start by planting a tree seed. During all the time you are going to stay focused on your tasks and leave your mobile aside, your seed will grow little by little and turn into a tree. If after your working session your tree is big enough, you will be able to add it to your forest. So the more your forest grows, the more you will have a global view of how much time you will have spent working. It is radically effective.
It is also the challenging aspect of the application that appeals to most of its users. What a satisfaction to see these trees grow knowing that they are the fruit of your concentration.
I mean, the great thing about this app is that it’s not just virtual. You can plant real trees with Trees for the Future. Each user account can plant up to five real trees and more than 1,000,000 trees have already been planted. Staying focused while supporting a cause you care about is Forest’s promise.
The installation of the application is free via Google Play but to use it on all your devices, you will have to upgrade to the Premium version. Finally, it will cost you €3.99 if you download it via the App Store.
9. Bear Focus Timer
As you will have understood, there are many applications that use the Pomodoro method but each of them has a little extra, a little something I don’t know that we want to appropriate.
For Bear Focus Timer, What we particularly like is its graphic cartoon design and its minimalism.
Bear Focus Timer introduces you to Tom, your faithful companion who stays by your side and supports you in carrying out your tasks. This bear will do its best to help you focus on your tasks. Tom encourages and commends you as you complete your tasks.
The small plus of this application is that it includes white noises that help in concentration. This tone without frequency is rather effective to cut you off from the outside world. According to a study by the University of Chicago, white noise has a considerable impact on improving our creativity. For any task that requires a maximum concentration effort, you can count on Bear Focus Timer.
10. Focus Booster
To complete our selection of applications using the Pomodoro method to help you increase productivity, the last application we want to present to you is Focus Booster. It records each of your work sessions so you can track your performance. Indeed, the dashboard at your disposal is well enough designed to give you an overall view of what you have spent your time on.
To start your productivity sessions with Focus Booster, the application offers you a free plan allowing you to realize 20 sessions of Pomodoro per month. If you need additional sessions afterwards, you can always upgrade to the premium version of Focus Booster, which is $4.99 per month.
Our tip
You know the saying, “Time is money!” With the introduction of the Pomodoro method using these tools, you will be able to increase your productivity… and your profit.
If your days are too short, you can hire a freelancer to increase your company’s productivity tenfold. Post a free project on Bumbizz.com to find the right profile for your needs.