During a 60-hour bid week, doing less can be what keeps you sharp.

During a 60-hour bid week, the instinct is often to push harder. I have found that doing less can be what keeps me sharp and on point.

Bidding work demands high levels of focus and oodles of energy. One simple tool has helped me stay engaged without burning out: the humble Pomodoro Technique.

The Pomodoro Technique was created in the late 1980s, long before Slack, workplace sprints and the rest of our modern toolkit. The idea is simple: work with full focus for 25 minutes, then step away for five. Those short, sharp sessions help me keep my concentration fresh.

For bid work, I use it to give one task my complete attention instead of carrying the whole deadline in my head at once.

Here's how it works.

Pick a task — choose one single goal to complete. Set a timer for 25 minutes, no exceptions (try this free online timer). Work without interruptions: turn on Do Not Disturb, silence your phone and switch off email notifications. Most things can wait for 25 minutes.

When the timer rings, get up, stretch, grab some water. Then repeat — aim for another two or three sessions, depending on your workload and energy. After four rounds, take 15–30 minutes to properly recharge.

Try it with a colleague.

One more tip: try it with a colleague. Compare notes on what worked and what didn't. It is a great way to turn a solo habit into a bit of team collaboration.

I have lost count of the times this uninterrupted space has unlocked a breakthrough on a bid that would not have happened otherwise. We are quick to protect time for meetings, but it is worth protecting time to think as well.

Give it a go on one task this week and let me know how you get on. I am always curious to hear what helps other people protect their thinking time.