This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vadym
As developers, we love flow state. That magical stretch when the code just… flows. But here’s the problem: we’re terrible at respecting our own mental limits. We push past fatigue, drown in context-switching, and end the day wondering why we’re mentally fried.
Over time, I found something that works better than any productivity app: 90 minutes of deep, focused work followed by a deliberate 20-minute break.
Why 90 Minutes?
Science backs this. Human brains can sustain high cognitive performance for roughly 90 minutes before the quality of work starts to drop. After that, you’re not “powering through” – you’re just debugging your own mistakes from the last 30 minutes.
Why the 20-Minute Break?
The break isn’t just about resting – it’s about resetting. In those 20 minutes, I do something completely different from coding:
- Walk around the block
- Stretch or quick workout
- Make coffee and not check Slack
- Jot down any lingering ideas for my next session
By the time I’m back, my mental buffer is cleared and my problem-solving is sharper.
How to Make It Stick (Even in a Busy Team)
Protect your 90 minutes: Mute notifications, close email, and set your status to “Heads Down.”
Break discipline: Don’t cut the break short because you “feel fine.” That’s when you risk burnout later in the day.
Batch distractions: Put all non-urgent messages, pull requests, and “quick questions” into break time.
Why It Beats Pomodoro (for Devs)
Pomodoro’s 25/5 split is great for admin work but terrible for deep coding. Just when you’re getting into the zone, the timer tells you to stop.
Ninety minutes gives you enough runway to dig into complex logic without breaking your mental thread.
My Challenge to You
Try one week of the 90/20 rule. No half-measures. At the end of the week, see if you:
- Commit cleaner code
- Spend less time debugging
- End the day less mentally drained
You might just find your best work isn’t about working more, but working smarter.
Conclusion
Ready to level up your workflow? Start your week by trying the 90/20 rule for just one day.
You’ll be surprised how much more you can ship without feeling fried.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Vadym