Managing Time with the Pomodoro Technique

In work, as well as in life, doing what needs to be done in order to reach our goals can be difficult. 【小题1】 Luckily, one of the most efficient and most popular time management techniques is also one of the world’s simplest — the Pomodoro Technique.

The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. 【小题2】 Each block is known as a pomodoro, the Italian word for “tomato.” Cirillo named the system after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that he used to track his work time when he was studying as a university student. He developed a habit of doing short blocks of work followed by resting periods. He realized this method could help him work with time instead of struggling against it.

In 2006, Cirillo published his Pomodoro Technique manual for people to download free of charge. The Pomodoro technique can be applied in almost all parts of our life. It was built around a handful of important steps. First, choose a task that you’d like to get done. 【小题3】 What matters is that you are ready to give it your full attention.

Next, set a timer for 25 minutes. Try to spend the full 25 minutes with your complete attention on the task. Then, when the timer goes off, take a five-minute break. Sit back, have a drink, go for a short walk, or do something else that is not work-related. Once you have completed four of these 30-minute cycles, treat yourself to a longer break that lasts 15 to 30 minutes. 【小题4】

After trying the Pomodoro Technique, you may want to experiment a little. Some people have found that 90-minute blocks work best, while others might perform better with more flexible periods. It varies from person to person. Just remember, like many things in life, simpler is often better!

Summer is hot. One of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer day is to jump into a swimming pool. Swimming is great exercise, and .trip to a pool or beach is a good way to have fun with friends. But swimming can also be dangerous, so it's important to stay safe as you do it. 【小题1】

Swim only in areas set for swimming.

Don't swim unless there is a lifeguard on duty. If you're on a beach near the ocean, this is especially important. In some places, fast currents(急流)can sweep swimmers away without warning. 【小题2】

Be careful when diving into the water headfirst.

【小题3】In natural water, don't dive unless you know that the water is deep enough. Or you could hit your head on the bottom, causing injury or death.

Make sure you have a partner with you.

Nobody knows what will happen while you swimming. 【小题4】In this situation, a few seconds can make a big difference.

【小题5】

Kids who don't know how to swim should wear life jackets. But by themselves they are not enough, so an adult should always be present. If you have a pool at home, put a fence around it in case children fall in. And if a child disappears, check the pool first.