For many people, working from home has become a regular occurrence. Whereas it once signified something fun and uncommon, akin to a childhood snow day, working from home is now another dull fact of life. This is a problem for many reasons. For one, it can be difficult to separate work and home life, especially if there are children around that must be attended to. Furthermore, many people find it difficult if not impossible to be efficient when working from a home office. These people need strategies to help them be just as productive at home as they were when they were able to go into the office. NAIPO recommends the Pomodoro Technique.

The Pomodoro Technique is one of the easiest time management methods there are. It does not require any fancy apps or software — all you need is a timer (plus a pen and paper to keep track of your progress). The inventor used a timer shaped like a tomato (“pomodoro” in Italian) but any timer will do, including the one on your phone. Once you’ve got that ready to go, then it is time to begin.

First, designate the project or task that you need to work on. Then, set the timer for 25 minutes and start working. Do not pause for any distractions or interruptions, and ignore temptations to check your email or social media. When the time has expired, take a 2 to 3-minute break, and mark it on your paper. After your break, set the timer again and repeat. Do this process four total times before taking a longer break of 20 to 30-minutes.

That’s it! The Pomodoro Technique is incredibly easy, and setting aside specific increments of time to be productive allows you to take control of your workday. When your longer break is over, then it’s time to get back to work and begin the Pomodoro cycle anew. A successful day’s work will include several complete Pomodoro cycles.

Give it a try. Many people also find it a more enjoyable way to work, since it has built in breaks during which you can grab coffee, meditate or just unwind. Some people like to use that time to go over the work they completed and plan out next steps. In a way, it has a built-in way to organize your punch list. Once you’ve tried it out, let us know what you think!

During your breaks, don’t forget to use the NAIPO oPillow back massager to help you relax and recharge. The oPillow will relieve all the tension you built up from 25 minutes of hard labor, plus ease the inevitable back pain that comes from being hunched over typing on a computer. Twenty minutes is just enough time to be rested and ready to complete the next Pomodoro cycle. What other time management technique allows you to have several scheduled massages throughout the day?

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