The Pomodoro Method completely rewired the way I work and saved my tech career, no exaggeration.

But most people miss why it’s truly game-changing.

It started 5 years ago, working at Meta as a software engineer with undiagnosed ADHD. I couldn't estimate timelines for my life. Each project seemed impossible to break down. I would sit there for hours, paralyzed, not knowing where to start.

I was so desperate to not get fired, I was willing to try anything.

Now it’s been 5 years, an inattentive ADHD diagnosis, and over 5000 Pomodoros later.

Here's what I learned.

The Pomodoro Method was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. He devised this strategy using a pomodoro (“tomato” in Italian) shaped kitchen timer to help him focus:

Some people customize the timing (scroll to #4 for real-life examples) but the core is 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off.

Sounds simple, right? Maybe even too simple?

Most people dismiss timers as "another productivity tool to force you to do things you don't want to do."

But I found Pomodoro Technique to be the opposite.

It isn't about restriction—it's about giving yourself more control.

Before we break that down, some quick context. I used to have two extreme work modes:

I'd tunnel-vision into debugging sessions, forget to eat or drink water, look up and suddenly find myself in the dark at 8 pm.

Often still stuck on the same bug.

Using the Pomodoro Method, these breakthroughs happened (the 5th one being the most unexpected):

Getting started is still one of my biggest struggles.

Once you press start on that timer however, you condition yourself to say, "ok, we're in focus mode now." The break is only 25 minutes away. It’s hard to convince yourself that you can't possibly do something for less than half an hour.

It forces you to choose just one small thing to do next.

Within 10-15 minutes, I'd usually get into the zone and stop noticing the timer.

ADHD isn't a lack of focus. It's a lack of ability to control your focus.

As you continue working, the timer nudges you to break. But more importantly, it gives you space to think about where you're going.

You're forced to step back and ask:

Which gives you this next side effect for free:

When you re-prioritize every 25 minutes, you can never be more than 25 minutes off-track.

As long as you keep asking "Is this still the most important thing?" during breaks, you will become laser-focused on your top priority.

Result: Your work becomes less stressful and takes fewer total hours, because the time you do work is extremely efficient.

Spoiler alert, you don’t have to stick to exactly 25 minutes on and 5 minutes off.

Start with the default method to get used to the idea of using timers. Then customize it for your unique brain, and find your personal sweet spot.

Some example modifications that work for real people:

Or a combo of the above depending on your mood =)

Lastly, the most surprising conclusion...

ADHD brains typically struggle with time perception. But Pomodoros give you a reliable measurement unit for chunks of time.

I stopped thinking "How many days will this project take?" and started thinking "How many Pomodoros?"

For example, "this bug fix needs 4 Pomodoros," "testing it will take 2 Pomodoros," and double it for some buffer time.

For the first time ever, I could estimate projects accurately.

I've shared this method with dozens of tech and non-tech peers with ADHD-like brains. It's worked effectively for most of them.

Start small: Try 2-4 Pomodoro sessions, with the 25 min focus/5 min break interval

To maintain focus:

P. S. I swear by this physical, visual, ADHD-friendly timer almost every day. It may be a little silly, but it really works: https://amzn.to/3VYwe0Q

Hi, I’m Kat! Welcome to my newsletter—your weekly dose of strategies to work with your extra-interesting brain, not against it.

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— Kat