Of all the methods I've seen for tackling this problem, one of the most interesting is the . While it really is a whole self-consistent system worth , the essence of it is this: Set a timer for 25 minutes, and work on one task with complete focus until the timer runs out. Take a break and do something else for a few minutes, and then reset the timer for another session.

The advantages of the Pomodoro Technique are clear: By setting a timer for less than half an hour, you create a reasonable window of time during which you can focus on a single task. You don't have to worry about how much time is passing. The timer will let you know when the interval is up. 25 minutes is enough time to get some legitimate work done, but not so much time that you'll need to worry about missing out on other things, like incoming e-mail or what's happening on Facebook in your absence. As a result, you can put your mind to effective use without fretting over what you might be missing.

Choose a Timer

There's no shortage of free software out there that can help you put the Pomodoro technique to work. In reality, any timer--from a standard kitchen timer to an hourglass--can work just fine. But my favorite options are software based, because I do the vast majority of my work on my PC.

The timer I use on my own machines is a freebie called , which runs on the platform for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Focus Booster is simplicity incarnate. It's preset for 25 minutes, and you can't adjust the time. Start the timer, and it'll count down until it's done. Reset it, and it'll keep track of the number of 25-minute sessions you've completed since launching the app. That's it.