Simple Work Timer

This simple timer is based on the Pomodoro (tomato) Technique. Just start the timer and the clock will start ticking. The advanced features are all optional. You need to keep the window visible for the timer to work accurately.

About this timer

This technique is much like story points in agile software development, but for individuals instead of teams. Story points start with an abstract unit of work and are refined with experience into something measureable, whereas the Pomodoro Technique starts with a fixed 25-minute time-box and is refined into a work-unit with use. Remember, the real advantage lies in tracking how many units of work you complete each week and trying to improve on that. At the beginning of each working phase, set your mind to the next task and don't allow any distractions. Take a short break (or reward) after each block and take a longer break every 2 hours or so.

The other important trick to this technique is to break tasks down if they're too big. Take a few minutes to plan what you're going to work on for the day and estimate how many work-units / story points / tomatoes you think it should take. Anything that is going to take longer than 2 hours should be broken down into more manageable chunks.

When you feel like giving up, this article from the BBC might encourage you to keep going, suggesting that will-power is like a muscle rather than a battery.

todoist.com has a helpful article explaining the Pomodoro Technique in more detail.

Page last updated: 27th January, 2023.

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