Overcoming Challenges with the Pomodoro Technique

Starting any new habit is hard. Here are some ways to make your new Pomodoro habit easier.

1. Make Starting Easier
Starting is often the hardest part.

• 1-Minute Rule: Commit to 1 minute of work to build momentum.  Anyone can do one minute.

• Be Consistent: Do your studying in the same place at the same time.

• Ask for Help: Get a classmate, sibling, or adult to help you sit down and get going.

2. Protect Your Focus
Distractions derail Pomodoros, so create a system that requires no ongoing work from you to minimize interruptions:

• Notifications Away: Set 'Do Not Disturb’, silence your phone, and put it in another room.

• Quiet: Work in a quiet space or use noise-canceling headphones.

• Communicate in Advance: Ask family and others sharing your space for uninterrupted time, and if they ask for something try to see if you can do it at your next break.

3. Every Pomodoro Ends with a Plan for the Next One
When the Pomodoro timer goes off, take 10 seconds to write down exactly what you will start with.  Be specific! Instead of ‘ELA’ try ‘read and annotate chapter 2.’

When tasks take longer than 25 minutes, this is easy - at the next Pomodoro just keep doing what you’ve started.  Once you have momentum, keep it up by moving quickly to your next task.

With the right environment management strategies, distractions won’t derail you, and tasks become manageable. Focus on building resilient systems that let you recover and keep moving forward.

For a much deeper dive on forming habits, try Atomic Habits.