If you’re having trouble getting focused and using your time well, I highly recommend using the Pomodoro Technique. This is a simple focus strategy used by people all over the world, and it works super well for writing.

In the 1980’s, a university student named Francesco Cirillo was having trouble staying focused, so he decided he would try focusing for just ten minutes. As part of his experiment, he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. “Pomodoro” is the Italian word for “tomato.” Therefore, a simple yet effective new productivity technique was born.

Today, this technique is commonly practiced in 25-minute segments. It works like this: pick an activity to focus on, set a timer for 25 minutes, focus on the task till the timer goes off, then take a break for 5 minutes. Repeat several times, and then take a 30-minute break after a few rounds.

The genius of the Pomodoro Technique is that it only requires short, 25-minute bursts of activity. You also know you’re getting a break frequently.

Almost anyone can focus for 25 minutes. Give this technique a shot, and even if you only write for 25 minutes per day, you’ll get a lot more done that if you only write when you feel motivated.