The Power of Pomodoro and Beyond

Introduction

Staying productive as a software engineer can be challenging. Writing code requires deep focus, but distractions, meetings, and mental fatigue can make it hard to stay efficient. Working from home most of the time adds another layer of difficulty—it’s easy to lose track of time, overwork, or get distracted.

As a junior software engineer, I struggled to deliver work efficiently. I often found myself working late, fixing bugs on weekends, or spending extra hours trying to catch up. At our office, working outside regular hours is discouraged unless the issue is urgent, but I still found myself stuck in a cycle of overworking. I knew I had to find a better way to manage my time, so I started researching productivity techniques.

Productivity isn’t just about working more—it’s about working smarter. Engineers need long, uninterrupted periods to solve complex problems, but they also need breaks to avoid burnout. Without the right balance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lose focus.

That’s where productivity techniques come in. Methods like the Pomodoro Technique, time blocking, and deep work strategies can help engineers stay focused, complete tasks faster, and feel more in control of their work. In this article, I’ll share some of the techniques that helped me improve my workflow and work more efficiently without burning out.

The Pomodoro Technique: A Developer’s Best Friend

As a software engineer, it’s easy to lose track of time while coding. Sometimes, you get so deep into a problem that you forget to take breaks. Other times, distractions like emails(I open Outlook twice a week though), Teams messages, or meetings keep breaking your flow. This is where the Pomodoro Technique can help.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple time management method designed to improve focus and efficiency. It works like this:

1. Pick a task to work on.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work without interruptions.
3. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.
4. Repeat this cycle four times, then take a longer break (15–30 minutes).

This approach helps break work into manageable chunks, making it easier to stay focused and avoid burnout.

Why It Works for Software Engineers

Developers often deal with complex problems that require deep focus. However, constant interruptions make it hard to get into a flow state. Pomodoro helps by:

• Reducing context switching – You focus on one task at a time, avoiding distractions.
• Improving concentration – Knowing there’s a break coming makes it easier to stay engaged.
• Preventing burnout – Regular breaks give your brain time to recharge.
• Enhancing productivity – Short, focused sprints help you get more done without feeling overwhelmed.

Tool to Implement Pomodoro

You don’t need anything fancy to get started—just a timers:

• TomatoTimer – A simple online Pomodoro timer.

Tips to Make It Work Better for Developers

When I first tried the Pomodoro Technique, I found that 25 minutes was too short—just when I was getting into the flow, the timer would go off. So, I adjusted it to 1-hour focus sessions with a 15-minute break, which works much better for deep coding tasks.

At first, I struggled to return from breaks, especially since I’m a gamer. I’d start a quick match in Chess or Call of Duty Mobile, and before I knew it, my break had stretched way beyond 15 minutes. If you also enjoy gaming, be mindful of how long you play between sessions. (By the way, I’m happy to share my CODM ID if you want to challenge me—I’m always up for a match! 😏)

Here are some things that helped me stay on track:

• Set a hard stop for breaks – Use a second timer to remind you when it’s time to get back to work.
• Choose offline activities – Instead of gaming, try stretching, grabbing water, or walking around.
• Keep the game as a reward – Save longer gaming sessions for after work instead of squeezing them into breaks.

By tweaking the method to fit my workflow, I found that longer focus sessions with controlled breaks helped me stay productive while still enjoying my downtime.

Finding Your Own Productivity Strategy

I love the Pomodoro Technique, but I’ve learned that no single method works for everyone. Productivity isn’t about following strict rules—it’s about finding what helps you stay focused and efficient. Some days, you may have deep coding sessions where Pomodoro works perfectly, while other days, collaboration, research, and standups make it harder to stick to a rigid timer.

There are also challenges that can make any productivity technique difficult to follow. Unexpected meetings, urgent bug fixes, or even just a lack of motivation can throw off your schedule. The key is to be flexible and adapt techniques to fit your workflow. Here are some other strategies that have helped me:

1. Time Blocking: Structuring Your Coding Sessions

If you have a lot of tasks throughout the day, time blocking can help you organize your work. This means setting aside specific blocks of time for different activities like:
✅ Coding & debugging – Uninterrupted deep work for solving complex problems
✅ Code reviews – Focused time for reviewing pull requests
✅ Meetings & collaboration – Standups, research discussions, or pair programming

At work, I mostly collaborate with others, so I have to balance deep focus with discussions and research. Time blocking helps me plan my day around scheduled meetings while still making room for productive coding sessions.

💡 Pro Tip: Try grouping similar tasks together to avoid frequent context switching!

2. The 2-Minute Rule: Beating Procrastination

Sometimes, small tasks pile up and become overwhelming. The 2-minute rule is a simple trick:

👉 If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately instead of postponing it.

This is great for handling things like:

• Quick bug fixes
• Responding to emails or Teams messages
• Writing small bits of documentation

By knocking out these quick tasks right away, you keep your to-do list clean and free up time for more important work.

3. Deep Work & Flow: Minimizing Distractions

Software engineering requires intense focus, but distractions can break your flow. Deep Work, a concept from Cal Newport’s book, is all about creating an environment where you can fully concentrate.

🛑 How to achieve deep work:

• Turn off notifications – Mute phone alerts during focus time.
• Set a focus period – Use a timer (like my 1-hour Pomodoro) to stay locked in.
• Choose a distraction-free space – If possible, work in a quiet environment or use noise-canceling headphones.

It’s not always possible to enter a deep work state—especially with meetings and collaborative work—but even one or two deep sessions per day can make a big difference.

4. The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritizing Engineering Tasks

When you have too many tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you decide what to work on first by categorizing tasks into:

💡 How to use it: If a task is both urgent and important, tackle it first. If it’s important but not urgent, schedule time for it. This method keeps you focused on what truly matters.

Conclusion

Productivity is personal—what works for one person might not work for another. The key is to experiment with different techniques and adjust them to fit your workflow. Whether it’s Pomodoro, time blocking, deep work, or prioritization methods, find what helps you stay focused and efficient.

At the same time, balance is important. Productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter while making sure you rest and recharge. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout are just as crucial as staying focused.

🚀 Try one of these techniques today and see how it improves your workflow. Small changes can lead to big improvements over time!

Happy coding!