Tomatoes, Teenagers, and Time Management: Why the Pomodoro Technique Works for Literally Everyone

Let me be clear: I don’t struggle to focus.

If anything, I’m the opposite of easily distracted when I'm in the zone. I can slip into deep work for hours without realizing I haven’t stood up, moved, or even blinked at anything other than my laptop screen. It’s my superpower—and occasionally, my downfall.

Because while I can focus, there are times that I don’t want to.
Not when it comes to the annoying, tedious, or just plain boring tasks that still matter in business.

I don’t have a focus problem.
I have a resistance problem.

You know the kind:
– Resistance to cleaning up your inbox
– Resistance to organizing spreadsheets or reviewing numbers
– Resistance to writing content when you’re not “in the zone”
– Resistance to doing the thing that feels like a total drag, even if it’s essential

That’s where the Pomodoro Technique came in.

I didn’t start using it because I lacked discipline or couldn’t concentrate. I started because I needed a strategy to help me get started—especially when I was avoiding something I didn’t feel like doing.

And here’s what surprised me: it actually worked.
Every single time.

Because anyone can do something for 25 minutes.

Real Life Proof: How I Taught It to My 16-Year-Old During Finals Week

Let’s rewind to last year.

My daughter got sick right in the middle of finals last year. She missed school, fell behind, and was still feeling awful—but the work kept piling up. 

She sat curled up in bed, hoodie on, textbooks everywhere, looking more panicked than rested.

“I don’t even know where to start,” she said.
Her voice cracked. Her eyes filled. And the stress wasn’t just about school—it was about being so far behind she didn’t know how to begin.

Cue: spiraling thoughts, mental paralysis, and zero motivation.

I recognized that spiral. Because as a small business owner, I’ve been there too.

So I gave her my go-to move—the technique I use when I need to do something I’m dreading:

“Pick one subject,” I told her. “Just one. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Focus only on that. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. If you feel good, do another round.”

She gave me the eye-roll only a teenager can master. But she did it anyway.

And it worked.

She studied for 25 minutes, took a breath, then did it again. One round at a time, she started building momentum. The panic eased. Her confidence grew.

She even got her studying done—without burning out or pulling an all-nighter.

Now? She still uses the Pomodoro Technique for every exam season. And while she might not always say I was right… the tomato timer doesn’t lie. 😉

Why Is It Called the Pomodoro Technique?

Here’s a fun fact: pomodoro means tomato in Italian.
The technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student struggling with procrastination.

One day, he grabbed a tomato-shaped kitchen timer, set it for 25 minutes, and told himself: Just focus until this rings.

That single burst of time made work feel less overwhelming—and surprisingly doable.

It became the foundation of a strategy now used worldwide:
25 minutes of focused work + 5-minute break = 1 Pomodoro.

It’s simple. It’s low-tech. And it works with your brain, not against it.

How the Pomodoro Technique Helps Business Owners (Not Just Students)

Whether you’re leading a team, managing clients, or running your entire business solo, the amount of tasks on your plate can feel never-ending.

But the Pomodoro Technique gives you a way to break through resistance, one small chunk at a time.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Pick one task. Not your whole to-do list. Just the one thing you’ve been avoiding.

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Use your phone, watch, or a Pomodoro app.

3. Work without distractions. That means no multitasking, no scrolling, no replying to DMs.

4. Stop when the timer rings. Even if you’re mid-flow. This protects your energy.

5. Take a 5-minute break. Get up. Breathe. Stretch. Move.

6. Repeat. After four rounds, take a longer 15–30 minute break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Pomodoro

Even though it’s a simple technique, it’s easy to misapply. Watch out for these common traps:

• Trying to do your entire day in Pomodoros: Start small. One or two sessions is enough to build momentum.

• Skipping the breaks: Rest is part of the system. It helps your brain reset.

• Using it for multitasking: This isn’t about getting more done—it’s about doing one thing well.

• Treating it like punishment: Don’t use Pomodoro to push through burnout. Use it to make things easier.

Why It Works (Even If You Hate “Productivity Hacks”)

Let’s be honest: some productivity tips feel like more work than the actual task you were trying to do.

But the Pomodoro Technique sticks because:

• It lowers the bar. You don’t have to finish the whole thing. You just have to start.

• It shrinks your stress. Suddenly, your 3-hour task becomes a 25-minute win.

• It supports your energy. Breaks help you avoid the “push through and crash” cycle.

• It helps you trust yourself again. You said you’d start. You did. That matters.

You don’t need more motivation. You need momentum.
And that’s exactly what this gives you.

My Favorite Pomodoro Tools

If you want to try it today, here are a few tools I love:

• Apps:
  – Focus Keeper (iOS)
  – Pomofocus.io (browser-based, free)
  – Be Focused (Mac)

• Timers:
  – Your phone
  – A good old-fashioned kitchen timer (tomato-shaped optional)

• Planners:
  – Trello (great for tracking tasks and rounds)
  – A sticky note or notebook works too

• Playlists:
  – Lo-fi beats
  – Instrumental jazz
  – Spotify has full Pomodoro playlists

This Isn’t About Productivity—It’s About Progress

When I introduced this technique to my daughter, I wasn’t trying to make her more productive.

I was trying to help her find her way out of overwhelm.

That’s what this is really about.

Not doing more.
Not hustling harder.
But giving yourself a starting point when you don’t know where to begin.

Because if you’re anything like me (or my daughter), once you start… the rest gets easier.

Try It Today (And Take Back Your Time)

So here’s your challenge:

👉 Pick that one task you’ve been avoiding.
👉 Set a timer for 25 minutes.
👉 Go.

Then take your break—and notice how different things feel when you stop thinking about the work and just start doing it.

And if reclaiming your time is something you’re ready to go deeper with, I’ve got a free resource that pairs perfectly with this approach:

The 5-Day Time Freedom Challenge

A short and sweet free mini-challenge designed to help business owners reclaim hours each week—without burning out or adding more to your plate.
(Only 15 minutes a day. No fluff. Just wins.)

You don’t need more discipline.
You need systems that support the version of you who’s already doing her best.

The Pomodoro Technique is one of them.
The Time Freedom Challenge is another.

Let’s get you out of resistance and into real momentum—25 minutes at a time 🖤