Deep work timer: 25 minutes of brainstorming (rain on a window), when you need to stop thinking about work

1 Before you start

• Clear the surface in front of you down to the thing you are working on.
• Tell yourself the goal is time spent, not output produced.
• Set the timer where you can see it, or where you can deliberately not see it.
• Choose one question to answer in this block, rather than a whole subject to cover.
• Take one slow breath before you press start, so the session has a beginning.

2 While the timer runs

• It is fine to stare at the wall for a minute. That is often where the answer is.
• When the timer feels too long, look at it less. The clock is not the task.
• If nothing is working, write badly on purpose for two minutes.
• Notice whether you are working or performing work. They look similar from the outside.

3 When it ends

• Leave the desk tidier than you found it. Two minutes now saves ten later.
• Have a drink of water before you check anything.
• Resist the urge to review the work straight away. Come back to it later with fresh eyes.

4What to put on

rain on a window — Steady rain is broadband noise with a slow natural rhythm. It masks speech and keyboard clatter without being interesting enough to listen to.