Sometimes, the difficulty in writing simply lies in staying seated, continuing to work, and not constantly getting distracted by seemingly more important things. To boost concentration, you can try the Pomodoro Technique:

• Divide upcoming tasks into 25-minute segments, called pomodori.
• During a pomodoro, you must do nothing but focus on this task – no getting up, making phone calls, eating, drinking, checking emails etc.
• After successfully working through 25 minutes, a pomodoro is “done”. As a reward, you get five minutes of free time. After four pomodori, you can take a longer break.

This method of tricking yourself with virtual rewards is surprisingly effective.

Especially for tasks that do not initially yield visible results, the completed pomodori illustrate the work done and thus have a motivating effect – for example, when reading, thinking, revising etc.

You can also keep rising panic under control: simply check off one pomodoro after another.

Preparation

Here’s what you need for this technique:

• A kitchen timer, stopwatch, or your phone
• Weekly plan, to-do list, or schedule – in other words, work tasks arranged by priority and the time required
• Pen and paper

There is also freeware and apps for the Pomodoro Technique.

Let’s get started!

1. Set the timer to 25 minutes.
2. Work with focus on the chosen task (do not get distracted; briefly note any disturbing thoughts).
3. When the timer rings, mark the spot where you are working – for example, with an X or a tomato.
4. Five minutes break: relax, switch off, do some light physical exercises – then repeat the pomodoro three more times.
5. After four pomodori (= 2 hours), take a long break of 15 to 30 minutes. Now allow thoughts that have nothing to do with your work; ideally, leave your workspace.

Literature: Cirillo, Francesco (n.d.): The Pomodoro Technique. http://pomodorotechnique.com (28.09.21)

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Freewriting is a simple writing technique that can be used in academic writing as well as in professional, journalistic, or creative writing. All you need is a pen and paper. Alternatively, you can do it on your computer – it’s best to turn off spell check so you won’t get distracted by it. Or close …

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• Brainstorming
• topic
• writing technique
• writing tips

Faculties: all

• Organisation & Motivation

contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode

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• association
• Brainstorming
• creativity
• ideas
• writing technique

Faculties: all

• Organisation & Motivation

contributors: Maria Noll, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode

This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in November 2024.