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Almost everyone is familiar with the so-called Pomodoro method. Maybe from your course time management, or maybe you read about it in one of our previous blogs. It works like this: when studying or doing a job, set the egg timer to 25 minutes and take a break for 5 minutes when it goes off. This way of time management brings more structure, prevents you from constantly delaying a difficult job or lesson, and makes you more productive. At least, that is the intention. Because this method from the 80s (named after the pomodoro, tomato, which is often used as a form of an egg timer) does not suit every person or job.
The Pomodoro method is great for routine jobs or teaching materials at the “stamping” level. But for many complicated tasks or creative activities, the beeping of the timer disrupts the flow you are in and need too much.
You just came up with a brilliant idea, or the penny almost dropped after reading complicated material. And then... bám, your concentration is gone. That sucks, especially if you don't really know exactly what you were doing before after the mandatory break. If you then realize that it takes an average of 7 to 15 minutes to fully regain your focus, and you expect to hear beeping again within 25 minutes, that can be incredibly counterproductive. Does that happen to you regularly? Then consider trying the Flowtime method. Maybe that's a better fit for you or the work you have to do.
You are probably familiar with the phenomenon of 'flow'. You are so absorbed in what you are doing that any sense of time disappears. You are super focused and very productive. It takes almost no energy to achieve good results.
In fact, you only achieve such a mental state if you really enjoy doing what you are doing, so you are very intrinsically motivated you are.
It feels really nice to be in such a flow at work or study. You know that you have sufficient skills to achieve the desired goal, you feel completely in tune with what you are doing and find that you are achieving much better results than if you have to do a mandatory job at the back of your head.
In short: everyone wants to get into a flow state while working or studying.
Zoë Read-Bivens came up with the so-called Flowtime Technique as an alternative to the sleek Pomodoro technique. With the Flowtime method, your day is still divided into work periods, but you let go of the system of fixed time blocks and choose to make use of your flow and take the necessary breaks at a natural time. According to Read-Bivens, this is possible because you are not always interrupted with a loud beep at fixed times.
You might think of the Flowtime method as “Pomodoro 2.0”. Some even call Flowtime “Flowmodoro” because the basics remain largely the same:
So it's not like she's completely throwing the famous Pomodoro method aside.
Zoë is also a big fan of taking breaks, because it gets you moving again and refreshes you.
And she also sees the point of making building blocks to get through the work or study day. But living and working on a timer caused her a lot of stress, she said in one of her blogs, in which she even talks about a 'tyrannical timer'.
As far as she is from too tight a framework, Read-Bivens does not specify how long a break 'should' last, but she does provide guidelines:
Working based on your flow also has its pitfalls: you can get so absorbed in your work that you completely forget to take a break. While taking a break in time is very important to prevent you from burning out or getting physical complaints. If you notice that this is the case for you, it's smart to choose smaller tasks than that one big end goal.] For example, don't stop after completing a major chapter, but after each smaller paragraph.
For example, don't stop after completing a major chapter, but after each smaller paragraph.
If that doesn't work, you might need a tighter hand. Then try the 'dictatorship' of the Pomodoro method again.
Whatever you do, don't work non-stop while your eyes get heavy, your shoulders tense, and your head explodes!
Of course, breaks and blocks of time are not the only ways to stay healthy and fresh at work or study. We have in previous blogs I've already given other tips in this area. Do you need more ideas? Contact us. We'd love to take the time to have a chat (without turning on the kitchen timer right away 😉!)
As an educational expert specialising in online learning, I have been writing blogs for Pluvo for 5 years. My focus is on powerful learning solutions for organisations. Universal Design for Learning and inclusive learning are my passion; I believe that education should be accessible and fun for everyone.
I've been combining my 35 years of HR experience with copywriting for over 15 years. And even then, I learn new things over and over again. That's what makes writing blogs for Pluvo so incredibly interesting!
