Why the Pomodoro technique doesn't work for everyone (And what to do instead)

The problem isn't always the timer itself. Sometimes it's everything you do before you press start.

The Pomodoro technique is a familiar tool for studying or focusing on work: you choose a task, work for a set interval, then take a break.

But if you have ADHD or struggle with attention and procrastination, you may have tried a timer and found that it wasn't enough. For me, a countdown alone leaves something missing. That's why I built Pacelock.

The decision fatigue problem

Sitting down and picking a task isn't always easy. You still have to decide what matters, estimate the effort and put competing thoughts aside, all before any work happens.

A basic timer leaves those decisions to you. If you're still deciding what to do, pressing start doesn't resolve that.

A structured alternative

What works better, in my experience, is adding structure before and around the timer, not just during it. Specifically, four steps:

Commit: Write down exactly what you're going to work on. Something specific. This forces a decision and creates a contract with yourself.

Plan: Break your session into different blocks, each one gets a name and duration.

Focus: Alongside the timer, you have a place to write down intrusive thoughts as they appear.

Review: When the session ends, you see a summary of your blocks, focus time and captured distractions. Compare it with what you actually got done.

A small example

Instead of “study chapter 3”, try three blocks: read and take notes, recall the main ideas without looking, then check the gaps. With 25-minute blocks and two five-minute breaks, that's 85 minutes. If that feels too much, start with one 15-minute block. The plan should make starting easier.

Why the friction can help

This might sound like more work. And it is, but that's the point of the approach: writing a commitment and a plan means making those decisions before the timer starts.

You're not deciding anymore. You're executing a plan. That won't suit every person or every session; if planning itself becomes an obstacle, keep it to one small task.