Sometimes starting a task is the hardest part of completing it. I mean, It’s more comfortable to put something off and finish that episode (or the full season) of Outer Banks than it is to face the daunting task of completing that research paper, or that business plan that you’ve been putting off. It’s so easy to say “Just do it,” but sometimes it’s not that simple. I, for one, need a more practical method for completing various tasks. Enter, the Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro method is a very popular time management system that allows for 25 min intervals and 5 minute breaks. Each interval is referred to as a Pomodoro (the Italian word for tomato). It is quite simple. The steps are as follows:

1. Pick a task.
2. Set your timer for 25 minutes.
3. Work on your task until the 25 minutes run out with full focus.
4. Take a five minute break. This is one Pomodoro.
5. Repeat

After repeating each intervals about four times, you can take a longer break of about 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, you’ll find that you won’t even need to go through a full Pomodoro before you complete your task without taking breaks. Sometimes that 25 minute timer is just to get you started. Even if you find that you’re only going to complete one Pomodoro, at least you know that you will only put 25 minutes into the task that you are to complete. It’s a win-win.