分心的事太多？让30年前的番茄来帮你

20世纪90年代末，意大利软件开发者弗朗西斯科·西里洛给世人带来了他的“番茄工作法”（Pomodoro Technique），随后的十多年以来，所有办公室都成为了免受干扰，能够高质量完成工作的场所。

不，情况并非完全如此，如今，让人分心的事情甚至更多了。因此，我们有必要重新引入番茄工作法。它能让我们在应当完成工作时免受Facebook和Instagram的干扰。

西里洛以外型类似番茄，尤其是波莫多罗番茄的红色厨房计时器来命名这一方法。每个计时器最多可以设定25分钟，西里洛把它设为一个新单位“番茄时间”（ Pomodoro）。他认为，这是完成任务的理想时长。西里洛表示，短时间爆发式的工作能帮助你保持专注，免受焦虑的困扰。

首先，你可以列出一系列需要完成的项目和工作，把大的项目分解成可以在25分钟内完成的小任务。完成每项任务之后，在后面打个叉，然后休息3-5分钟。

番茄工作法的第一法则是：你需要向大家说明这项方法。如果同事知道你在实行这项神奇的新效率计划，他们就不太会在25分钟的“番茄时间”内打断你。西里洛认为，“番茄时间”内不能被打断——在他曾经工作过的开放办公室里，他一个字也不说。

尽管番茄工作法很简单，只需要一个计时器，但如今一些出色的技术帮助它在21世纪流行了起来。Marinara Timer的网站能让你定制计时器，且不需安装。而Tomato Timer则更加简单，它只向用户提供25分钟的计时器，以及一些快捷键来开始、停止和决定休息时间。

你还可以安装由西里洛开发的Simple Pomodoro。当你准备工作时，点击浏览器上的西红柿图标，就能开始了。它会在25分钟到了以后弹出提示框。Strict Workflow则更进一步，它能屏蔽一些让你分心的网站。这两个工具都支持Chrome浏览器。

IOS的计时器Focus Keeper可以记录你之前保持专注的时长。而对安卓（Android）用户而言，Timesheet是个不错的选择。（财富中文网）

译者：严匡正

In the late 1990s Francesco Cirillo, an Italian software designer, introduced the world to the Pomodoro Technique, and decades since, every office has become a distraction-free sanctuary of quality work.

No, it didn’t happen quite like that, and today there are even more distractions out there. So with that in mind, we’d like to bring back the Pomodoro Technique. It could be what finally saves us from checking Facebook and scrolling through Instagram while we should be getting stuff done.

Cirillo named his technique after those red kitchen timers that look like tomatoes, specifically Pomodoro tomatoes. Each timer can be set for a max of 25 minutes, or a unit of time Cirillo coined “the Pomodoro”, which he believes is the optimal time to work on a task. Working in short bursts will help you concentrate and focus without anxiety, according to Cirillo.

You start by making a log of projects and activities that need doing, breaking down larger projects into chunks you can accomplish in 25 minutes. After each task is complete “X” it off and take a three-to-five minute break.

The first rule about Pomodoro Technique is: you talk to everyone about Pomodoro Technique. When your coworkers learn about your amazing new productivity plan, they’re more likely to stop interrupting you during your 25-minute Pomodoro intervals. Cirillo believes a Pomodoro must never be interrupted – no word on his ever working in an open office.

Although the Pomodoro Technique is simple and only requires a timer, there is some cool tech out there to help bring the method into the 21st century. The Marinara Timer website allows you to set custom timers. No installation required. Tomato Timer is even simpler, offering users just the 25-minute option and various keyword shortcuts to start, stop, and determine break time.

Install Simple Pomodoro, which was developed by Cirillo, and when you’re ready to start a task click the tomato icon on your browser and get started. A popup alerts you when 25 minutes is up. Strict Workflow goes a step further and blocks certain distracting websites. Both are available for Chrome.

The IOS app Focus Keeper is a timer that also tracks how long you’ve kept your focus in the past. For Android users, Timesheet offers a good alternative.