If you are looking for ways to increase your productivity on a budget, then this post on “3 Ways a Timer Will Increase Productivity and Time Awareness” is for you! And next to Super Sticky notes and Sharpies, a timer might just be my favorite budget organizing tool! In our fast-paced world, we often feel that we don’t have time to do all that we need to do. At the end of the day, you may wonder where your time went!
Key Takeaways on how to use a timer for productivity and time management
- Using a timer builds time awareness by showing how long routine tasks really take, then you can plan with an extra 20 percent buffer for delays.
- A timer reduces procrastination by proving many avoided tasks are short (example: unloading a dishwasher took 5 minutes).
- Setting a timer for focused work blocks (often 15 to 20 minutes) helps you stay on task and notice when your attention drifts.
- When the timer ends, ask, “Am I doing what I intended?” and “Is there something else I should do now?” to reset your focus.
- You can use any timer you already have (phone, computer, kitchen timer), or wear a simple watch timer for easy access.
Productivity Benefits of Using a Timer
- Increase awareness of where your time goes.
- Eliminate procrastination.
- Improve your focus as you work.
1. Increase your awareness: Time Routine Tasks
Time how long it takes for you to get out of the house in the morning, how long it takes for your child to get dressed, how long it takes to get to work or to anywhere where you regularly travel. Then add an additional 20% to that time in order to allow for variations and unexpected challenges.
2. Eliminate procrastination
This is such a fantastic way to use a timer! When I realized that I was procrastinating because I disliked unloading the dishwasher, I timed how long it took and it took only 5 minutes! Now when I resist emptying the dishwasher, I tell myself it will only take five minutes and push through the resistance.
3. Manage the time you spend on a given task
Have you ever sat down at the computer to send a single e-mail or opened a book or magazine and lost track of time? When you begin any activity that you might get lost in, set a timer for the amount of time you wish to spend on the activity. I usually start with 15-20 minutes.
When the timer goes off, ask yourself two questions:
1. “Am I doing what I intended to do or has my focus wandered?”
2. “Is there something else that I should turn my attention to at this time?”
You will be amazed at how much your awareness of time increases with this simple practice. If you need just a little more time to reach a good stopping point, reset the timer before resuming your activity.
Using a timer is the most powerful way I know to increase your time awareness day by day, minute by minute.
Think you don’t have a timer? There are timers everywhere, on your mobile phone, on your computer, in your kitchen. I wear my timer on my wrist in the form of an inexpensive Timex watch. If you do not own a timer, invest in a simple kitchen timer at your local hardware or kitchen store.
Frequently Asked Questions: Using a Timer for Productivity and Time Awareness
How does a timer help with time awareness?
A timer shows you the real time cost of everyday tasks, like getting out the door or driving a familiar route. Once you know the baseline, add about 20 percent extra time to handle normal delays without feeling rushed.
What timer length should I start with if I feel overwhelmed?
Start with 15 to 20 minutes. It is long enough to make progress, but short enough to feel doable when your energy or focus is low.
How can a timer help me stop procrastinating?
Timing a dreaded task often reveals it takes less time than it feels like it will. For example, unloading the dishwasher may only take 5 minutes, and that quick proof makes it easier to start.
What should I do when the timer goes off?
Pause and ask two questions: “Am I doing what I intended to do or has my focus wandered?” and “Is there something else that I should turn my attention to at this time?” If you need a little more time to finish cleanly, reset the timer before you continue.
What kind of timer should I use?
Use what you already have, your phone, computer, or a kitchen timer. If you want something simple and always nearby, a basic watch timer works well. I like using my kitchen timer because I have to get up when it goes off!
Image by Veri Ivanova on Unsplash
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