The Pomodoro technique

If you sit at a desk for hours but feel that you have not done much, you are not alone. Many people struggle with focus, especially when working from home. One technique that has helped millions of professionals is the Pomodoro technique. The idea is simple. You choose one task, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work without any distractions. No phone, no email, no social media. When the timer rings, you take a five-minute break. After four 'pomodoros', you take a longer break of about twenty minutes. The name comes from a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. 'Pomodoro' means tomato in Italian. The technique was invented by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, when he was a university student trying to focus on his studies. Why does it work? Most people can concentrate for about 25 minutes before their brain gets tired. Short breaks help you recover. Also, knowing that you only have to work for a short period makes difficult tasks less scary. If you have never tried it, give it a go this week. You might be surprised by the results.