My Timer
One of the simplest things I do to increase my productivity is to use a timer throughout the day. I don’t always need it, but on days when I need the boost, it is the first thing I turn to.
I actually first started using my timer with my then 3 year old for things like timeouts, timing how long she could watch tv, and getting her stuff cleaned up. Somehow the timer has always held just a bit more weight than my echoing voice when it comes to her accomplishing things or transitioning out of something she wants to keep doing.
I started using it for myself when I was overwhelmed with my house. I wanted to get my house in condition to be tidied and presentable on a daily basis. With two clutter monsters running around my house most of each day, things would get out of control quickly and I would often find myself lacking the motivation to even start cleaning up after them.
I streamlined my approach to tidying by making spots in every room for things to quickly be put away and then began to challenge myself with my timer. I set it for 30 minutes on days that feel out of control. With one kid asleep and another entertained at the computer or tv so that no more messes are being made while I work, I get to cleaning.
I am not an organized tidyer. I flit from room to room picking things up, wiping things down, folding things and putting them in their places as I go. With no rhyme or reason, I may enter and exit a room 5 times in the 30 minutes in different bursts to get things in order. Fold some towels put them away and grab a couple stray shoes to drop off at a closet then pick up some toys and return them to the playroom where I find stray kitchen items and return those, stopping at the trash can for papers and stray junk items to be thrown away.
For 30 minutes, I work like this, racing the clock and challenging myself to have it all done before the buzzer goes off.
By the end, I am exhilarated, accomplished, and feel relaxed because I am no longer looking at what was an overwhelming mess 30 minutes earlier.
I do the job in bursts, flitting around, because if I chose just to fold laundry, I would do that. For 30 minutes. And nothing else would get done. I have to make it a game to get as much done in that 30 minutes as possible.
I also use my timer for
- exercise
- breaks for myself during the day
- cooking
Do you use a timer? What do you use it for? And do you have other tips and tricks for simplifying, streamlining and being more productive in your home? I’d love to hear them!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I also use a timer on days when I’m feeling overwhelmed with all that needs to be done or on days when I just can’t seem to stay focused on the jobs at hand.
I usually go for 15 minute increments in all rooms except the kitchen, where I set the timer for 30 minutes at a time. I stay focused on the room I’m in, and often it doesn’t even take 15 minutes to get a room back in shape.
Annie Joness last blog post..Odds and Ends
September 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Love this idea. I really need to do more of this in my life. I have too much free time I think and so I just blend all my activities and to-do’s into the day. I think I’m going to start doing more timing.
I’m actually timing this comment entry. …and…done!
PTs last blog post..FNBO Direct Review: High Interest Online Savings Account
September 9th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I use a timer, and I NEED one now since I started blogging. Otherwise, I spend way too long commenting. I use Minuteaur for the Mac. It’s awesome (free) and looks like a fried egg. It makes me happy.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I use my kitchen oven timer for taking a quick nap. I set it for 15-20 minutes and it is just the right amount of rest I need to get through the afternoon/evening (I get up at 3:45am). Plus, I have to get up to turn it off!!
Denises last blog post..it pays to be my kid
September 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
@Annie - sounds like you are more thorough in your rooms than I am
@PT - LOL time is up! I need to start using my timer for my online time too!
@WD - yes, commenting could take up a whole day if we let it! Yours sounds cool!
@Denise - I am jealous of your afternoon nap! You are like the napper I can never be. I would rather not nap at all than for 20 minutes. I would be grumpy the rest of the day
September 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I don’t have a timer but I do use that method- “how much can I get done in here in 15 minutes?” I am considering getting one now. Great idea!
neimanmarxists last blog post..Habits.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Timer junkie here. I use it for everything. And your post reminds me so much of myself. I have started to implement bins into my “room rescues” (the mad dash against the timer) so that I don’t waste time flitting back and forth. I set my timer for 10 min’s per room if things are out of control, 5 on an upkeep day. anything I find that doesn’t belong in the room I’m working on goes into the bin, to be carried into the next room after the timer goes off. The bin follows me from room to room, and I take out what needs to be put away, and throw in stuff that needs to keep moving.
I also use what I call “clutter boxes” situated in strategic locations throughout my house. One in the dining room, one in the living room, and one in both the main floor and second floor landings. As I’m going about my day whenever I see “clutter” laying around I quickly pick it up and toss it into the nearest clutter box. The clutter boxes either get dealt with during the room rescues, or get assigned as discipline duty to one of the kids.
Prairie Chicks last blog post..After Apple Picking
September 10th, 2008 at 8:06 am
That is really a good idea about the cleaning! I only use my time for cooking and the occassional time out for my 4 year old. But to use it for a quick cleaning spurt, that is really smart. I need to subscribe to The Fly Lady again. She sends too many emails, but I do like the reminders to get up and purge! Really helps
Bella
Bella Casas last blog post..The Faux Flower Debate - It’s A Party!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:11 am
@prairiechick - love the clutter boxes idea!
@bella casa - I could never get into the Fly Lady - I don’t like wearing shoes in my house and there were WAY too many emails. Talk about inbox clutter! I guess I made my own version
September 10th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I use a timer too! I’ve never used it for the kids, although good idea. But I use it for cleaning. I only set it for 15 minutes though, and I only clean one room. But I do it every day, just to keep up with it. 15 minutes doesn’t sound so bad when you are feeling lazy. And its amazing what you can get done in 15.
September 11th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
[...] Set time limits and time yourself. – “One of the simplest things I do to increase my productivity is to use a timer throughout the day. I don’t always need it, but on days when I need the boost, it is the first thing I turn to. For 30 minutes, I work like this, racing the clock and challenging myself to have it all done before the buzzer goes off. By the end, I am exhilarated, accomplished, and feel relaxed because I am no longer looking at what was an overwhelming mess 30 minutes earlier.” – via Remodeling This Life [...]
September 11th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I’m definitely a flitter too. I bore easily. Must have variety.
September 12th, 2008 at 7:24 am
[...] Set time limits for yourself. – “One of the simplest things I do to increase my productivity is to use a timer throughout the day. I don’t always need it, but on days when I need the boost, it is the first thing I turn to. For 30 minutes, I work like this, racing the clock and challenging myself to have it all done before the buzzer goes off. By the end, I am exhilarated, accomplished, and feel relaxed because I am no longer looking at what was an overwhelming mess 30 minutes earlier.” – via Remodeling This Life [...]
September 14th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
[...] My Timer @ Remodeling This Life [...]
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:00 am
[...] timer - I’ve mentioned before my use of a timer for productivity around the [...]