Pomodoro Method

I realized that I needed to come up with a way to get myself in my office and my chair and actually writing. Most days, although I felt this strong urge to write, I found myself not writing. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t get myself motivated. Or better yet, couldn’t get myself past that first hurtle of actually starting.

I knew I needed to find some method to actually get my butt in the chair and write!

One of the methods I had remembered reading about was called the Pomodoro Method. I knew that this dealt with working for a while, taking a break after a certain amount of time and then heading back to working on a project. I wasn’t sure how this was going to work until I read about it some more.

The thing about the Pomodoro Method is that it gives you a set amount of time. Basically, you promise yourself that you are going to work for a specific amount of time. That is all. When that time is up, you can take a break and then come back to the project or you are done with that project. The Pomodoro Method gives you a specific time to work. You begin with 25 minutes. Once your time is up, then you take five minutes to do something else. Then you go back to the project for another 25, repeating this process until you have reached the desired amount or are done with the project. After the fourth cycle, then it is recommended for you to take a longer… usually 20 minute… break.

I even downloaded an app which gives you a timer that automatically does the 25, 5, 25, 5, 25, 5, 25, and 20 timers. It is nice because you basically hit the button to start the timer, when it notifies you that the time is up. It has really helped me get myself back into the writing grove that I needed to get myself back into.

The main reason I feel that this method has worked for me is that it gets me writing.

When it comes time for me to sit my butt in the chair, I tell myself that all I need to do is do that first 25 minutes. If I do that 25 minutes then I am good. What I find myself doing is continuing to write after that first set time. During the five minute breaks, I will work on smaller projects or even planning of other projects. When I find the timer telling me that it is time to get back to work, I am eager to get back to the current writing project. Those little five minute breaks are just enough for me to not lose the writing flow, but enough that I don’t get stuck. Once I have reached my writing goal for the day, whether it is word count, chapters, or even outlining, then I switch to the next project on my list, with the promise that I will work on it at least 25 minutes.

So far the Pomodoro Method has really helped me out. Have you ever tried it? Let me know in the comments sections, what your thoughts are on this method whether you have or haven’t used it before.

And Keep Writing!