Sometimes tasks can be overwhelming- either because of all of the working parts that have to go into them or the time/resources required to complete them. For chronic procrastinators, it can be challenging to complete tasks on time. But what if there was a way to keep yourself focused on what matters most?

It’s no secret that the Legalboards team loves Kanban, but we also pair it with a technique called Pomodoro. Pomodoro is the secret to keeping yourself on task while also allowing you to grab that second cup of coffee or stretch your legs in between sprints.

What is Pomodoro?

Pomodoro is a technique developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique’s main goal is to help with time management and distractions. It’s extremely easy to learn and can be effective for people who need some help with staying focused. 

The technique works by having you pick a project you want to focus on, set a timer (usually 25-30 minutes) for work, take a short break, and repeat. After a few sessions, you take a longer break and then can repeat as necessary.

The technique is popular- especially with tech companies and students, but can be tailored to how you work best. The time of sessions and frequency of them is up to you.

How Does It Help?

The technique helps with;

1. Reducing distractions by encouraging focused attention on tasks
2. Prioritizing tasks that need to be accomplished
3. Grouping similar tasks together that can be easily done- i.e. in the Forbes article, Bryan Collins talks about how he uses the technique to answer emails in the morning then pivots to larger tasks
4. Tackling open-ended work like research
5. Breaking large projects into smaller, and much more manageable tasks (learn more about this in our checklists vs tasks article)

Pomodoro and Kanban

So, we know Pomodoro is good for people who need help getting focused or need help when they face large or open-ended tasks. But, where does Kanban fit in all this?

Kanban and Pomodoro are the perfect complement to each other. Both are flexible, adaptable, and focused on helping people accomplish their tasks. Because the very step of the Pomodoro technique is picking a task to focus on, naturally that’s where Kanban boards come in.

Kanban boards allow you to see exactly what needs to be done and with Legalboards, you can see the deadline of that task. After deciding on a task, you can easily start your timer and get to work!