Tomatoes make my fortune

I've just completed a 4-week course that explains the latest findings in neuroscience in the context of the latest findings in the psychology of learning. Run by UCSD it was hard going, but stonkingly brilliant. Learning how to learn

Putting it into practice has given me a huge boost in what I'm accomplishing each day, and the amount of free time at my disposal.

For me the most powerful discovery was "The Pomodoro Technique". The word "pomodoro" is Italian for "tomato", and the technique originated back in the 80's as a "time management" tool, using a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato.

The neuroscience underpinning this is that "focus" causes connections to be formed between synapses in the frontal cortex of the brain. These connections have an extremely short life. They need to be "written back" to the main areas of the brain, and that can only happen when you stop focusing (and ideally when you are chilling or sleeping). This is when the connections are rehearsed and refreshed and "cemented".

The practical outcome of this is:-

a) Set the kitchen timer for 25 minutes, then work solidly without interruption or distraction until the timer pings.

b) When the timer pings, stop. Go do something entirely different, preferably a physical activity like walking, away from the study location. Relax. Have a cup of tea. Do not even think about the prior study subject. Fill your "focus" mind with something totally unrelated.

c) Repeat the "a" and "b" patterns 4 times in the day, then pack in for the day and party.

Obviously, in 4 weeks, there was a TON more than this. But I've isolated this one thing for today because of the impact it has had on my working day.

Try it out for yourself. In 3 to 4 days you won't recognise yourself.