In contrast, when you work on a task, without a break, it’s easy to lose focus and get lost in the work. Sometimes you find that you have to adjust your work to increase the quality. When you take a break, you force yourself to take a few seconds to reevaluate. Taking strategic breaks will also increase the quality of your work. When you are completing long tasks, such as studying for exams, making presentations or writing reports, it’s best to take short, and planned breaks. Research by Alejandro Lleras, from the University of Illinois, showed that deactivating and reactivating work allows us to stay focused. So focusing on one thing for a long time is hard for your brain. To protect us from looming threats the brain is in a constant state of alertness. Our brains are meant to ensure our survival. The human brain can’t focus on a single task for long periods. The reason this method works is also simple: Evolutionary biology. Use the Pomodoro Method: Take a 5-minute break after every 25 minutes of work. I’ve found a way to eliminate that frustration with the distractions of work (not boozing), which makes it a lot more fun to work and less stressful. You just couldn’t have one drink or watch just one video. It’s like getting angry with alcohol after you’ve spent a night boozing. Sometimes I start by watching one YouTube video, and BOOM, 2 hours have gone by.Īnd then I get frustrated with YouTube. What I don’t like is the feeling of wasting time on stuff that is meaningless. I’m not looking for shortcuts or hacks, so I have to do less work.

The idea is simple: I want to get more done in the same amount of time. And I’ve tested different methods to boost my productivity. I’ve read countless articles on time management. I’ve read dozens of books on productivity. But what about your personal productivity? Machines get faster and better every day.

For machines, it’s straightforward: You improve speed. It’s human nature to have a desire to improve your output. Do you spend the majority of your day at your desk? And do you find it difficult to concentrate throughout the day? There’s a simple solution to improve your productivity and focus: The Pomodoro method.

1 hour timer 5 minute intervals