© Shutterstock

Productivity hacks -

If you struggle with productivity, there are plenty of tricks you can try. Whether you find it difficult not to pick up your phone, or the slightest distraction derails your whole day, there is something for you.

© Shutterstock

Introducing the Pomodoro Technique -

If you find it difficult to focus on the task at hand, you might like to try the Pomodoro Technique, a time management tool that involves splitting tasks into 25-minute intervals called ‘pomodoros.’

© Shutterstock

History -

The Pomodoro Technique was first invented by Francesco Cirillo, who at the time was a university student trying to study for his exams.

© Shutterstock

Kitchen timer -

Finding it difficult to concentrate on his books, Cirillo took a tomato-shaped kitchen timer (hence the name "pomodoro") and challenged himself to stay focused for two whole minutes.

© Shutterstock

Effective method -

When it worked, he increased the focus time and found that setting the timer helped him stay focused on the task at hand.

© Shutterstock

Honing the technique -

Cirillo continued to experiment with different intervals and break times until he landed on what he believed to be the optimum routine.

© Shutterstock

The final method -

Nowadays the Pomodoro Technique is as follows: select your task, set a timer for 25 minutes, work on the task until the timer goes off, and then take a five-minute break.

© Shutterstock

Top tips -

Repeat this format and take a 15-to-30-minute break every four pomodoros. Now, let's look at some tips you can use to help follow the pomodoro method.

© Shutterstock

Use a timer -

First up: use a timer. It can be tempting just to time your intervals roughly, but using an actual timer or alarm is what will help you stay on track.

© Shutterstock

Use a timer -

You could use a kitchen timer or just the alarm on your phone. Some browsers even have pomodoro timer extensions.

© Shutterstock

Plan your time -

It is also a good idea to plan your day around the tasks you need to complete, estimating the number of pomodoros you will need for each task.

© Shutterstock

Plan your time -

You might need to split the bigger tasks on your to-do list into smaller chunks, so that you can more easily divide them into pomodoro intervals.

© Shutterstock

Maximize your breaks -

It is also important that you make the most of your breaks. You could have a drink of water, do a quick stretch, or take a short walk.

© Shutterstock

Maximize your breaks -

Doing something that is completely irrelevant to the task you just completed will help you feel refreshed and enable you to be ready to go back to work again after the break.

© Shutterstock

Customize it -

Finally, if you feel the 25-minute intervals do not work for you, you could customize the timings to something that works better for you.

© Shutterstock

Customize it -

Ultimately, the idea is to carve out chunks of time for you to focus on work and have little breaks in between so you can relax your mind and refresh yourself.

© Shutterstock

Benefits -

There are several proven benefits to the Pomodoro Technique. The first (and perhaps most important) is that it helps you stay focused on the task at hand.

© Shutterstock

Helps focus -

Carving out a chunk of time and dedicating it to a particular task can help you stay focused and prevent you from getting distracted by other things.

© Shutterstock

Helps you get started -

The Pomodoro Technique can also help if you find it difficult to get started, perhaps because you are overwhelmed by the amount of work you must do.

© Shutterstock

Helps you get started -

This technique can help your to-do list feel more manageable, as it encourages you to break down your work into smaller chunks.

© Shutterstock

Improves efficiency -

The Pomodoro Technique also improves efficiency, making it a useful technique for people who tend to get distracted or procrastinate too much.

© Shutterstock

Improves efficiency -

By making you more accountable to yourself, the Pomodoro Technique helps you use your time more efficiently and makes you more likely to accomplish your goals.

© Shutterstock

Reduces anxiety and stress -

Finally, the Pomodoro Technique can reduce anxiety and stress, in particular the worry that comes with having a lot of work to do and deadlines to meet.

© Shutterstock

Reduces anxiety and stress -

By giving you a framework to manage your time, the Pomodoro Technique can help you feel more in control, which in turn reduces stress and anxiety.

© Shutterstock

Drawbacks -

There are some drawbacks to this time management strategy, however. Firstly, the routine of fixed intervals and breaks can sometimes feel too rigid.

© Shutterstock

Tasks taking too long -

Secondly, some people find that the technique becomes stressful when a given task takes longer to complete than the specified number of pomodoros.

© Shutterstock

Tasks not taking long enough -

On the flipside, if you complete your task before the worktime interval is up, you might find yourself wondering what to do. This can encourage procrastination.

© Shutterstock

Unexpected interruptions -

Finally, the technique does not really account for what to do in the event of an interruption that is beyond your control.

© Shutterstock

Unexpected interruptions -

Things always happen in real life that we have no control over. In a work context, for example, there may be colleagues that suddenly demand your attention.

© Shutterstock

What to do -

If this happens, the recommendation is to cut your pomodoro short and restart it once you can return to full concentration.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Todoist)

See also: How to deal with stress, according to your star sign

© Shutterstock