My timer is one of the most important tools in my home for keeping things running smoothly and helping me be productive on days that I am lacking motivation. I am not very strict or regimented. I don’t set it for 10 minutes and do one thing then set it for another 10 minutes to do something else on the schedule. I don’t even have a schedule. What I do use it for is for 10 minute bursts of productivity.
Usually I set it for my kids and challenge them to see how many toys they can have picked up and in their bins in 10 minutes. 10 minutes to get their shoes on before we are leaving the house. Other times I need it for me to get me to put the laundry piles away and other small things that need to be done. It’s amazing how a ticking timer can really get me moving. It’s actually kind of fun.
When I see how much I can get done in just 10 minutes, I feel like I can do so much. The excuses for not getting it done fade away.
Not only can the 10 minutes timer be good for getting stuff done around my home, it can also be a sanity saver when I need to stop and slow down. 10 minutes drinking tea or flipping through a magazine. 10 minutes on the phone with a friend. 10 minutes reading books to one of my kids. So many small bursts of time that can add up to so much, making my days both productive and peaceful. Mostly.
Do you use a timer? What are your tips and tricks for making the most of your minutes?
Visit the other 31 Days Series:
Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Reluctant Entertainer, The Inspired Room
LOVE this! I need to do the 10 minute trick when trying to clean my house. Ha!
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In an effort to live more simply (you have inspired me this month) I have been taking 10 minutes every night to makes sure there isn’t even a cup in the sink, there are no papers or junk on the dining room table, and no clutter in the living room. Every night it has taken like 10 minutes max to do and the house is staying SO much cleaner. Thanks for all the inspiration!
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I use a timer for the same thing, only my time is usually 25 minutes. It really does help!
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I used to set the timer for about 20 minutes to pick up and spot clean and it worked well. I should set the timer when I am on the computer. I spend way too much time surfing when I could be reading or doing a devotional. I did get a watch that beeps every hour. When it beeps, I take a quick moment just to reflect on God’s goodness and to thank him so I get into the habit of bringing him into my daily activities.
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Great idea! This is great with kids. We usually see who can get the most done in 10 minutes as well. Making a contest out of it is always fun.
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My Mom and I used to use the 10 minute rule for big, ugly projects (like cleaning out closets, garage, or utility room.) We would take turns being the “boss” for ten minutes. As a kid, it made things WAY more fun for me to be able to take 10 minutes and tell my Mom what to pick up and where to put it. In the aggregate, we cleaned faster and didn’t get burned out so quickly on the project.
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We just moved back from overseas to our US house; so much to do! It could be overwhelming but my ugly timer is helping me out. bags of paper and other assorted unneeded items are flying out the door. I highly recommend it to anyone who has not tried it. Now, is that your timer? If so where did you get it? I can only find ugly ones. I think I need one for each girls. They get distracted so easily. Just like their mom!
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Emily Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
It is mine. My mom got it for me for Christmas last year at Pier 1. They still have them: http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/tabid/493/List/0/CategoryID/111/level/a/ProductID/5373/ProductName/Magnetic-Kitchen-Timer/Default.aspx
I love that it is magnetic and I can stick it way up high on the fridge.
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I have used a timer to determine how long it actually takes to do something. For instance, for whatever reason, I always hated unloading the dishwasher. I made it such a big deal in my mind. Once I timed myself unloading it. It took 2 minutes. Now, it doesn’t bother me because I know it only takes a short amount of time. I’ve also used this cleaning the fireplace. Thought it would take me days and days. Only took 15 minutes! Now I know.
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I had my daughter take a timer to school for a while, so her teacher could set it for her and that way she knew how much time she had for an activity. It really helped her to focus and stay on task!!! She’s a bit of a daydreamer.
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My mom taught us this game. That’s right. Timed clean-up still feels like a game to me at 30.
She called it “Beat the Clock” -or- when we were trying to sell our house “The Realtor Game” as in “The Realtor is on her way, clean it up now!”
I play this game now on my own, in my own home. It’s a great tool & it really works.
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I love this idea for chores! In my mind, I can do anything for 10 minutes, even if I hate it. So 10 minutes of vacuuming or cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry… and then it’s magically finished!
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i use the timer trick all the time. except mine is set for 15 min…i need the extra 5 min. and yes, it’s amazing how a ticking timer can move your bum!
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This is a great tip! I use a timer to help motivate me do the ironing when I really, really don’t want to. I set the timer for 15 min and tell myself “You can do anything for 15 min!” Usually by the time the timer goes off I’m on a roll and don’t want to stop until the job is finished.
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What a great idea! I’m totally going to do this!
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I love my timer too! I set it for 15 usually. I like that I feel like I make a difference in that time, without feeling like I am chained to whatever I’m trying to do UNTIL. It’s nice and freeing.
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LOVE my timer (I thought I was the only one)! I use it for a twenty minute pick up during the day and for a twenty minute pick up at night. In the am, a load of laundry gets started, the dishwasher is unloaded and I still have room to prep for dinner, make up the bed, etc. The evening pick up normally involves cleaning up dinner dishes, packing lunches and putting the house back in order. I also use it for doing laundry, because left to my own devices could leave a load in the washer or dryer all day!
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I like the cute timer you have. Mine is on my stove and while I use it for the kids and their work, I don’t use it for me. Great reminder!
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Love, love, love my timers. I use them all day long, usually 15 minutes of work or play on the computer, followed by 15 minutes of work or play OFF the computer. My timer is an essential part of getting anything done around here, elsewise I get distracted far too easily.
Oops, timer just went off (truly) to tell me to get off the computer
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I don’t use a timer, but I do use ’10′. On sluggish days I can make myself put 10 things away, or I can ask my husband to find 10 things for the charity shop (thrift), I can plan a meal that only has 10 minutes of prep, or do 10 minutes of housework.
Little habits like this really work and help to keep on top of things.
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I absolutely do this – especially when the dishes start to pile up. Usually I can get ALL of them done in just 10 minutes! Silly me for avoiding them.
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We adopted the “ten minute” evening tidy when my boys were toddlers and have kept the tradition going. It’s amazing what waking to a cleaned up, clutter free, prepared for day will do for you! Also, if you get it out, put it away. If you take it off, hang it up. If you dirty it…wash it!
As always, lovely lovely reads!
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Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments
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Oooh I love this idea!!!! I have a timer on my kitchen stove and am going to use it now. YAY!
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