Using Timers To Work More Productively

7 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 5:07PM UTC

   Hello Anonymous. I hope my post helps. Usually, I block myself on the calendar for one hour, and during this hour, all my smartphones, smartwatches, and everything that blinks is in the drawer. After I finish my task, I open it and see what's happening in the world. Timers are great, but sometimes small things steal our attention without our notice. I hope that helps!

2. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 5:36PM UTC

   I use my TEAMS and outlook calendar/schedule tools to organize my day (work and personal ). I started using this after watching a coworker a few years ago really excel while never seeing her procrastinate or struggle. When we got close she shared her tricks. She never scheduled more than 99 minutes and incorporated breaks, lunch, walking etc. After embracing this method I began including my morning routine as well as personal appointments, social events and evening routine. I also supplement my blocking approach with the app FABULOUS when is more of a reminder and structuring app to give me another layer of help.

   It probably seems like overkill to most but I find my life runs smoother than it did and I haven't forgotten anything or been that stressed in a few years so it works for me.

3. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 6:11PM UTC

   I use my calendar and block out portions of my day to accomplish tasks. It has helped me to become more efficient in my work and also I tend to not get behind or push things off until they become so much.

4. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 7:01PM UTC

   Sorry 90 minute blocks

5. Julie A. LaryFebruary 21,2023 at 7:29PM UTC

   The last company I worked for had a daily 8:30-9:00 meeting for all members of a team or group and their managers. Beforehand, you would jot down in a shared OneNote the following:

   1) Your meetings or "events" for the day, such as whether you'd be gone for a dental appointment.

   2) What you intended to accomplish for the day

   3) Whether you needed any support from another team member or manager.

   There would be up to 20 people on the virtual call, each sharing for a few minutes. There was also the question-of-the-day, such as "If you could have a superpower, what would it be?" This was the fourth thing that you would share during the meeting.

   It was incredibly effective from a team and individual point-of-view because everyone knew what everyone else was doing, and it forced you to choose what you were going to work on for the day, and the expected progress or completion.

   I still scribble down what I'm going to do for the day... and in "my head" what I expect to complete... and then I get distracted and write on Fairygodboss! With that said, today, I will complete what's on my to-do list!

6. AnonymousFebruary 22,2023 at 9:51PM UTC

   See if this article helps you: https://bit.ly/3kkf3HY

7. AnonymousFebruary 23,2023 at 2:21AM UTC

   I use the Pomodoro method if I am unmotivated to get something done. It's working 20 or 25 minutes and taking a 5 minute pause, then start again. https://pomofocus.io/. I use my google calendar and paper planner (that's a whole another post-lol) to block off time for projects.