Does Pomodoro actually work for flow? (thanks Huberman) 

How do you get into flow?

I just schedule a long work block, say 3 hours. Within those three hours I just alternate between work and rest. For example, I start working and as soon as I notice myself losing focus, I stop and rest. My rest is hydrating myself or getting a small snack, and either laying on the floor doing nothing, or walking around doing nothing. I don’t check my phone or use other stimulus. The point of the break is rest, not stimulation. And doing it this way takes the guess work out. You simply take your break when you feel you’re losing focus.

How do you only have 200 subs?? This content is gold!

This changed my studying for the better! Thank you for making this video! 🙏💪

To be honest, I saw the number of views and was about to skip. But then I decided to keep on watching. This is one of the best videos I've watched. I was doing the pomodoro technique using the 25/5 method for a total of 5 sessions. But you're absolutely right, it causes us to dip out of flow just as soon as we're getting into it. By implementing your progressive method of pomodoro, I was able to study for two sessions of 90 minutes each, totaling too about 3 hours. A huge improvement in focus and productivity was observed. Thanks man!

This is the most helpful protocol of this type. It's an amazing video, thank you.

Yo this is amazing, can’t believe this is the first time I see you. Thanks man!

Hey Mike! Thank you so much for sharing this content, it's been life changing to me! For years and years of practicing OG Pomos I could not get into focus, and I felt like there was something wrong with me because of my lack of concentration. I searched for a workaround to it, and Progressive Pomos have been so far so great for my study sessions! Please make more content, I'll be pleased to watch more of your videos!

Really liked this, man! Clearly explained, nicely edited, interesting ideas. Looking forward to seeing what you do next.

Thank You for this, this makes so much sense, definitely going to try this out!

Quite frankly, I don't know how you have so few views! As someone who has been trying to get the Pomodoro techinque to work for years, this is revolutionary. Keep up the amazing content.

Thank you so much for the informative man👍👍👍👍Keep growing

Great video, really good adaptation. You deserve more views. I already know this will really help my productivity. WIll watch all of your other vids.

I can't wait to try this. Thank you!

Ur content is gold bro, and ur sense of humour and editing is too good to go unnoticed.

I love your technique of getting into flow. I've been using the Pomodoro technique for 18 months... I started out using the 25/5 timeframe, but have iterated over time. Currently, i do 6-10 sets of 45/15. This works great for me. I use the first few 15 minute breaks to exercise, and the last few to rest my eyes, or veg on my phone. I get more done taking a 15 min break every hour than I used to get done taking no breaks at all. Game changing.

Thanks! I got value out of this video. Loved the progressive Pomodoro technique. Keep up the good work!

Great video, great cuts thank you for it !

Solid video, Mike! Editing is top notch and the content is super useful, will definitely try to implement

Wow. It's really cool to implement science-based tools in your everyday life. Keep going, your content deserves more than 200 subs. Adore Huberman)))

Bro Bro Bro....keep up doing the good work. I don't know why your channel isn't growing, but the contents you post are awesome. Don't stop posting them ❤️

what a great video, in every aspect... love the groovy flow music

Highly motivating and actually helpful! THX!

Good Content. I've been using this for a while without giving it a name, Progressive Pomo is a nice name for it. The struggle for me is I don't use it everyday, I forget about this technique and I just push around my work, it does work when I use it, I should try an alarm for remembering technique or something else. This video helped me realise that, Thanks

Great Vid Mike. Thank you!👍

Bro i really loved the video and the edit, keep going

I tried this your way and I cranked out 1,541 words of my book today when my old average was 300 words. This works so good I can't thank you enough for sharing this method. I am feeling in the flow right now. I'm very proud of what I've done. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

loved the way u explain with a bit humour when u are understanding something and a funny things pop up it helps me to remember it more , nice MIKE

I like this approach, and the best quote form your video "We are not machines", that's pretty true. I wish if this idea be implemented in a mobile app or something like that, that would be great. Thank you for this information. Love from Sudan

Very thoughtful reflection on the limitations of OG pomo. I've tried it time and time again, but it never seemed to stick. Thanks for figuring out why and coming up with a better alternative! If you're flowing, keep on going!

Man, this was awesome. You made me a fan. You put your finger on all the problems I had with OG Pomo. I am gonna try the progressive pomo. I think it might take a few days to get used to.

Excellent ideas and very practical too. Thanks.

Great video man, Thank you.

Thanks. This one was on point. I have been experimenting with pomodoro recently and came to similar conclusion.

Superb!! THIS is exactly the reason why I have not used Pomodoro in the past. I would take way longer to get into focus and every break would induce a context switch. 💯💯💯💯💯

Everything about this video (from Content to Editing) is AWESOME! Deserves much more views bruh!!

Great to hear this! I thought it meant I wasn't disciplined enough to take the breaks, when I now realize I was in a flow state and wanted to keep going.

This is so insightful damn. Keep making content like this

Excellent video Mike!

thank you very much bro keep on making videos like this

Thank you, Mike ! I was planning to start using Pomodoro, but I will use your method instead. It seems so logical and like more tolerant towards our feelings and energy. I love the progressive side of it.

The video quality is insanely Good and content!

Hey Michael! 🌟 Thanks for this awesome content. 🙌 I used to think something was wrong with me when Pomodoro didn't always work. 😅 But you're so right, it's about finding the right timing for each task and energy level. 🕒⚡ Your insights have been eye-opening! 🤩 Now, I feel more empowered to adapt the technique to suit my needs. 👍 Keep up the fantastic work! 🙏💪 10:03 10:03

I'm going to try this thank you.

Thanks a lot , this content really deserves a lot more views and subscribers , I did not even realize how low subscribers and views the video had until I saw a comment . Really high quality content keep it up .

Great video. Enjoyed this

I'm Grace, from Nigeria, thank you so much. I really found this helpful and easy to understand. Love you soooo much.

Haha I've seen the issues with Pomodoro, but what I do instead is use a stopwatch and choose whenever I want to stop when I lose focus during the activity. I divide 'when' I stop by 5, then use that as my break. I think it was called free form pomodoro.

this is such a simple, yet great solution to the issues i have with OG pomodoro! it kinda blwe my mind haha, will try it tonight!

In fairness, I have not heard the original Pomodoro technique described in a manner that was quite so rigid. 25 minutes is not some required time block; I always understood it as adaptable to circumstances. But I like your technique of evaluating, and making the time blocks more flexible in the moment. We know our own state of mind and what will work in the immediate sense.

Thanks for this. Good info

Very good video. I have own tweaked pomodoro technique. When that alarm goes off and I'm in a flow, I keep going until that flow loses steam. THEN I go on break. It's why I actually do 20*-10, with the asterisk of course referring to givng myself a minimum of 20 minutes to progress into work flow. Worse comes to worst, I make adjustments to not just to the technique, but my positioning and surroundings. The trick is not to rely solely on pomodoro or any variation of it. There are other factors as well. Anyways, your technique is still very interesting and might implement it. Thanks for the insightful video!

Bro!!! This video is fire 🔥🔥🔥

In spite of the video content, you have made an amazing video production, very satisfying to see! Congrats

I like this Good work man😁

Agreed. Thanks for the ✨progressive✨ pomodoro method!

DUDE. Super cool content, very intuitive. My main problem with the pomodoro is feeling drained out after the very first round...

Good stuff, Mike! I think I'm gonna test it out and see how it goes🤞

Good video man!

This technique seems very good to me, and I have tried and tested many with myself. This one makes so much sense in so many ways that I can't even explain. Sorry if I sound strange, English is my second language.

Brother I appreciate you greatly

Great video 💪

LOVED THIS VIDEO THANK YOUUUUUU. Let’s tryyyyyy

This video is really good, I am so distracted that almost nothing helped me until I found pomodoro is a technique to get u into flow, for me I was/am finding 25 min sometimes get really annoyed thing coz u entered in a flow state and u have to stop, I find as a habit building it is good as it remove fricition but now I find it annoying and like humberman said, we r not machines, I like to use pomodoro as a kick starter, sometimes (like now my 25 min has been spend watching this video coz I didn't feel the flow yet) and u make it great point, not all time it is gonna be the same. great video.

Extremely helpful!

Unexpected takeaway: setting a short timer gives me a taste for the frustration of the alarm…it’s like it ignites a fire to build up to the longer blocks. I guess having a taste of the flow being broken even in that short period helps remember that it can exist at all….Thanks for this fresh perspective.

Thanks for this I will give this a go for sure but I will try 1 minute focus because I have issues focusing.

Thank you so much

This is literally gold! Thanks for introducing the idea of progressive pomo to me. Subscribed immediately. What timer did you use in the video that included the options distracted etc.?

I also didn’t find 25:5 to work so I changed from 25:5 to 52:17 and became more productive. I saw 52:17 from one of the videos on youtube too and found it to be a good fit for my productivity. 52 minutes get me into the flow and 17 minutes is perfect for a break. But thanks for your idea. I will try it when I dont find 52:17 working for me anymore.

Thank you!

Great video, thank you

Thank You!

i will try from today and report you in next week. thank you for the pregressive pomodoro😀😀

1k subscribers ? That's a joke. Keep up the grind and the amazing content, this is just incredible! I'll give it a try on my next work session!

thank you for this 💫🙏🏻

I didn't think this was a small channel, you need more subs fr

Will give this a shot! My biggest problem was not having the willingness to commit to the session! There is a some type of internal resistance to setting to timer to 25 or 50 mins (or whatever your block looks like) but not having to commit to any exact time-block might make things ez!

You've earned a new subscriber.

Great vid, earned a sub.

I will try this method… thank you chimmy!!!😘

Great video !

Tip: as a video creator. Music is slightly too loud and distracting. I appreciate the video, which is why I said something. EDIT: By the way, this progressive idea is fantastic...it's exactly what I need. I couldn't get into the 20-25 minute start off, but I'm sure I could do this. I also got involved in a project and then would have to shut down for a few minutes...it was very frustrating. Thank you!

Damn i have to say after watching this video and see the view count, it really sad that this video can't even reach 100k because the content and the representation is very good. Keep up the great work man.

Thanks very much

Sometimes I don’t have an issue with flow, I have a problem with hyper fixating. Sometimes I have to use the timer to move to additional responsibilities or I will stay in the flow state all day,…..I have several businesses and responsibilities. I have to break them down into super focused 15 min and flow state 2 hour blocks. But I understand what you are saying. This is great stuff.

If thought of as focus and rest then it can be challenging. I coach focus then rejuvenate, reflect and react. This allows for the technique that you elude to with non-sedentary blood flowing time, reflection of BOTH your goals an the Pomodoro method and then reacting to what you learned to improve. Doing something for the sake of doing it can seem pointless, so be agile about it and up your game.

Great video. I was loosing focus as you mentioned in OG pomodoro, Great Idea, Thanks for the information, Actually i was checking better apps and I got your video😅

Great method! Any software you use or recommend to accompany this methodology?

This is a bit complicated approach. I think that we are wasting too much time about thinking how to do this how to do that...Simply start learning and when you feel distracted and losing attention, take a break 5-10 minutes clearing your mind (just do not take phone or watch TV...). After the pause start again learning until your next distraction. It is simple as that. I agree with you about Pomodoro for the same reason; if you caught that flow just do not let it escape! That's it folks.

hey, great video! I've been doing something simmilar, but i would just increase the time, the progressive increase is a cool idea. However, with og pomo you have a natural way of determining how long you will chill. Are there any limits or good advice, on how you structure your breaks? especially, in the very begining, and after long flow state? I find it when i forget about the timer and go on for hour or two in the flow state I will easily fall for one hour or even longer break.

Right on time, I'm questioning about my flow state these days, as I was using the og technique, the problems were the same as ones you named, but I haven't thought about decrese entrance barrier (although I am a procrastinator myself) and skip break when reaching flow state (I feel fed up when I could reach flow state and having to take breaks, but I'd go for break anyways and lose motivation or so momentum to keep going, SILLY ME) guess I'd better be more discipline and skip breaks when needed. I can get myself to focus for 5-6 hours when I could reach flow state in a highly pressures environment, but also a godly procrastinator (maybe i shouldn't identify myself with that, maybe i should get rid of my perfectionistic). Many thanks, I'll experiment now with this technique, I'll come back with the results (If so I remember lol)

Thank you for this. I have been saying that the break does not always work as it breaks focus and flow. It is for that reason that I backed away from Pomodoro and have now recently gone back to applying it to my work day. One glitch that I am having is Pomodone timer does not appear to have a chime or sound when the timer is done. Do you have any recommendations for good timer apps for Android?

I love it! It's simple, it's brilliant. I've tried to apply the Pomodoro technique many times and while it did help me with procrastination, it then actually became an obstacle for my productivity. So, I will definitely try your Progressive Pomodoro technique. But I have a question. I happen to be a fan of Andrew Huberman too and in his podcast he talks a lot about ultradian cycles. Have you thought about integrating this concept into your tool?

So i wanna be honest, the video is great, the value it gives is insane imma try it out instantly. The only problem i have is the editing, it is kind of too much and not consistent. If you get that right its amazing, hope to see you again soon. Keep it up ❤

As someone with ADHD I can't distinguish between Hyper focus (as result of ADHD) and being in flow. But in hindsight I can always tell. Hyperfocus leaves me exhausted, while Flow doesn't.

Brilliant, I've been skipping pomos when I'm in flow already...and keep skipping until I run out of focus energy.

Buen contenido para aquellos que nunca entendieron como usar OG pomodoro. Mi entender es que tú caes en ese grupo. Pero me alegro que encontraste formas de llegar al mismo punto. En pomodoro se da por hecho que toma al menos unos 5 minutos en concentrarse. Los 25 min no son estrictos. Se tienen que ajustar para cada cual. De igual, buen video 😊

Good tips to do an experiment. Honestly, you guys need only two things to be highly focus that are a clear task and deadline for each task. That’s it. Do not be overcomplicated !! The REAL flow state is hard to get into, it’s only happened to me 4 times in my life.

I realized I've been doing it anyways, like I set a timer for 50 minutes, and when it rings, if I want to keep working, I just restart it. Similarly, sometimes I would cut it short and take a break before. It's more about the mindset of sitting down and starting work than the strictly measured work/break cycle.