I happened across (lifehacker) this productivity technique a few weeks ago and it seemed similar to what I already do. Since the easiest change is the one that is the smallest, I tried it out. Here is a summary.

In essence, this helps you run short periods of focused work, dedicated to a single task. The idea is a dedicated time slot means no lost effort task switching, and distractions are deferred. In fact, dedicated breaks are part of the process and should be strictly non-work. This helps you keep your brain fresh, returning to concentrated on the next ‘Pomodoro’ period.

1. Choose a task you’d like to get done
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes
3. Work on the task until the timer rings
4. When the timer rings, put a check-mark on a piece of paper
5. Take a short break – 5mins. Go back to step 2.
6. Every four 25 minute periods, take a longer break (20-30mins).

The paper record allows you to quantify and report on the effort put into your tasks.

I tried this out and it works pretty well. I used the pomodoro.cc website as the timer and rudimentary task tracker. I found the approach did help focus my attention when deliberately starting out a period of work. The breaks came naturally also, and again starting the next chunk of work made this manageable.

I believe that my own work practice did resemble this kind of stop-start approach anyway, and while I stopped using the timer I do more deliberately focus within each period in the knowledge that a break is coming soon. As such I would rate this 4/5.