Guide · Flowtime
The Flowtime Technique, Explained
The Flowtime Technique has no fixed timer: you work until your focus fades, then take a break that fits. Flowmodoro is a common version that sets the break to one fifth of the work time, so 50 minutes of work earns 10 minutes of rest.
Updated
What Is the Flowtime Technique?
A way to time work by your attention, not by the clock. You start a stopwatch, work on one task until you notice your focus dropping, stop, and rest. Over a few days you learn your natural block length.
How Is Flowtime Different From Pomodoro?
Pomodoro stops you at 25 minutes even if you are in flow. Flowtime lets you keep going and ends the block when you are ready. Pomodoro gives more structure; Flowtime protects flow. See the table below.
How Long Should a Flowtime Break Be?
Flowmodoro uses one fifth of the work time: 25 minutes of work, 5 of rest; 50 and 10; 90 and 18. Others use a fixed break of 5 to 15 minutes. Choose one rule and keep it for a week.
How Do I Run Flowtime in Sunny?
Give your work activity the "until done" rule: no countdown, you switch when you are finished. Give the other side a timed break, or a second task. Sunny does not calculate a Flowmodoro break for you; set the break length yourself.
When Does Flowtime Not Work Well?
When you avoid starting, or when you never notice your focus dropping. Then a timed block gives the structure you need. You can mix both in Sunny: a timed side and an until-done side. See the method.
| Pomodoro | Flowtime | Flowmodoro | Sunny | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block length | Fixed, 25 min | Until focus fades | Until focus fades | Per activity: timed or until done |
| Break | 5 min, fixed | You choose | One fifth of work time | A second activity, or a timed break |
| Best when | You need structure | Flow matters most | You want a simple break rule | You get bored or burn out halfway |
Flowtime Questions
Is Flowtime better than Pomodoro?
Can I mix timed and until-done blocks?
Is there a Flowtime timer that works offline?
Work Until Done, Then Switch
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Related: The Method · Pomodoro Timer · Study Timer · ADHD Focus Timer · FAQ