The Pomodoro Method works. It works very well, and not only is it effective but over time I have discovered that It is applicable to almost any field within the improvements of concentration and attention.

But let's start at the beginning.:This is the origin of the Pmodoro Technique:

Yes. Indeed, a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato… You’ll understand later.

The whole objective of this section of Reader Focus focuses on the inability that we are developing - and I am the first - to enjoy healthy reading, in which we feel concentrated and with our attention focused on reading.

Such is the point of this problem that I've been trying every single strategy to try to make reading as enjoyable as it was in the past, when we had a healthier attention span.

My own Pomodoro Timer for reading

First of all, I'll leave you with a Pomodoro Timer that I made myself so I can use it for free whenever I want. It's as simple as choosing how long I want to read and how many minutes I'll have to rest.

A bell will alert me when it is finished so I can turn it back on. It can be used from my mobile or computer.

I use the Pomodoro Method as an example.

I must admit that for me it has been a before and after, not so much because make me concentrate more on the book that I'm reading but because it makes me much more focused with whatever I do,

In fact, I started using this method to write and work on the blog, given that It allowed me to focus 100% on work I was doing and put everything else aside. And you wouldn't believe how it works...

But anyway, let's get to the point.

How does the Pomodoro Technique work?

It is extraordinarily simple, so I will leave you the step by step so that you can apply it to your readings. First of all, You have to know that this method works just as well whether for reading, studying or any activity that requires concentration.

The key is in TIME. That is, dedicate a defined time to reading and another to rest. In this way, what is intended is to greatly enhance the focus on the task.

Of course, it is not worth doing it any old way. During the reading time:

• You're not going to do anything other than read.
• There are no cell phones, computers or tablets nearby.
• No replying to notifications. All silenced.
• The only friend you're going to have during that time is your book.
• It doesn't matter how many pages you read. The goal is to last the chosen amount of time.

Of course, it depends on you how long you are going to spend reading. The most common thing is to start with 25-minute periods of focus and 5 minutes of rest. You can do it 30/5, 40/10, 60/15… Choose the one that best suits you.

Once you have chosen the time you are going to dedicate to both reading and resting, it is time to get down to work, but If what you want is to improve your focus, concentration or attention, seriously, commit.

You will notice how the minutes go by faster and faster, that your concentration begins to focus on reading and that the minutes of rest are more than enough. You will see how you improve quickly.

Why this technique works so well

First of all, because there is a serious commitment on your part, or at least there is on mine. In this way, It is extremely easy to convince you that what you are doing is truly worth it.

On the other hand, you are giving your mind the assurance that what you are doing is important, and it will also have a purpose, So you save him the "anguish" of not knowing how it will end.

Your brain likes routine, and even if it is unconsciously, having a start and end time makes it feel calm. This causes peaks of maximum concentration.

Also, knowing that during the minutes of rest You will be able to recover that "normality" with your usual distractions, ends up resulting in a better relationship with your phone and its notifications.

Some tools I use for the Pomodoro Method

We've already mentioned that if you have trouble concentrating, it's best to put away your electronic devices, but you may need a timer to keep track of your time. Remember to use them but turn off the screen, okay?

Ideally you should have a timer that does not require an electronic device like the kitchen clock I put at the beginning of the entry, but if not, it's okay. There are good alternatives if used correctly.

If you are looking for «Pomodoro Timer» On Google you will find hundreds of pages with which you can set alarms to warn you of the time you will spend concentrating and the time you will dedicate to rest.

Here are the websites I visit most often to use the timer:

1. Pomofocus

This website It's the simplest of all. Just a stopwatch and nothing else. Clean, minimalist and without distractions beyond the timer. Perfect to have it at hand and not worry about anything else.

2. Pomodorotimer.online

In this case it is also very simple, with an aesthetic similar to the previous one. It has a better defined tasks section, but I have to say that I don't like the sounds it comes with by default too much.

3. Studywithme.io

By far the prettiest, and it also has a feature that can be very useful to you, and that is that if you like to read with music, it has a direct connection to Spotify with a LoFi list for relaxing music.

Recommended books on concentration and attention

There are some books that can be useful if you want to improve your concentration. Although they are not directly related to this technique, they are related to attention, and you know… About the Reader Focus.

I'll leave you with a few references.

1. The organized mind – Daniel J. Levitin

Using a scientific approach, the author explains how to structure our thoughts in the era of information overload. He presents strategies to better manage attention, improve productivity and achieve mental balance.

2. Focus – Cal Newport

Deep work is the ability to concentrate without distractions on a cognitively demanding task. In a highly competitive world that also encourages hyperconnection and multitasking, attention has become an extremely valuable asset.  

3. The value of attention – Johann Hari

Attention has entered into a deep crisis. What are the reasons? Who is stealing it from us? And, most importantly, how can we recover our ability to concentrate? A devastating essay that investigates one of the great epidemics of the moment and its possible solutions.

All in all, I'm doing wonderfully well. Even if you are used to reading, I highly recommend that you try it.You'll see the difference. If you try it and it works for you, let me know on social media and we'll share it.

Greetings and Happy Reading!