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Quick Time Management Tip: Set Up a Timer for 30 Minutes to Create Urgency and Focused Work

by ShaunAllen
15 replies
Hey,

I've noticed that when I create urgency for myself to get a task done not only am I more focused, but for some weird little reason it creates excitement or a rush.

I did this 2 hours ago. So I was creating a new squeeze page. I had to write the copy. Create the page. Create the list in Aweber. Test it!

At first that seems like a lot to put on your plate and most people would procrastinate just like I would.

However, I set a timer for 30 minutes to see just how much I could get done. Before the 30 minutes I had completed one of my original tasks but I wasn't going to stop there.

Next thing I knew I had been working an hour and a half on the project. I still had the same rush. I still had the same amazing focus.

You've gotta do what works best for you. But what works best for me is to work for 2.5 hours of focused work. I do this by setting timers for various amounts of time to accomplish those tasks.

Next thing you know the 2.5 hours is up and I have a lot of focused work finished. Then I take a 20 minutes break. I get done more than I would get done in a regular 10 hour day in just 2.5 hours. I don't have time to browse the internet or screw around when I have a race against time. It's kind of like a competition against myself.

Call me crazy but I love the rush that this gives me. I guess I am easily impressed.

This may or may not work for you like it does for me but I hope it gets your brain going on what you can do because it literally saved me. I was never much of a self starter before. If I didn't use this method than I would still be working the 9-5.

Anyway, time to go set the timer again and finish out Friday strong.
#create #focused #management #minutes #quick #set #time #timer #tip #urgency #work
  • Profile picture of the author tgro03
    You're right, everyone has to figure out what works best for them.

    Some people thrive on the pressure and others will fold up and run and hide. The important thing is to identify what works best and stick to it so you can get something accomplished during your work day.
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    • Profile picture of the author f4ll3rs
      Originally Posted by tgro03 View Post

      You're right, everyone has to figure out what works best for them.

      Some people thrive on the pressure and others will fold up and run and hide. The important thing is to identify what works best and stick to it so you can get something accomplished during your work day.
      thank you for simplifying and summarize the first post. i always have a problem with "what am i suppose to do today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow" because i am confused to set the time for work and focused on what should i do.
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  • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
    I think it's a great tip. As i mentioned in another thread I used a colleague as a timer - if i didn't get my site built by the following monday i would have to buy him all the coffees for the day.

    That's a relatively long timer - i never thought of doing something for the shorter term.

    I suppose if you value your time at a certain amount per hour you can also get an idea of the monetary value of everything you've achieved.

    What do you use for the timer? is there something in windows that countsdown?
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  • Profile picture of the author vstar00
    Got any cool free timer software?
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  • Profile picture of the author Herbert S Richter
    Banned
    I gave you a thanks! Nice stuff Dave!
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  • Profile picture of the author paul wolfe
    Legendary copywriter Euguene Schwartz used a timer to work. He'd firstly do tasks that needed doing. Then he'd clear his desk, sit down and set the timer for 33 minutes and 33 seconds.

    When his session had finished he'd take a 10 to 15 minute break and answer the telephone, return calls, etc etc (nowadays it would be email and twitter and facebook ) and then he'd reset the timer for another 33 minutes and 33 seconds and start again.

    It's definitely a time management strategy that works.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    Somehow using that timer and hearing that ticking sound gives you a very definite sense of focus and urgency that is otherwise not there, and you tend to get a lot more done when utilizing this technique. The key is to work in short 25 minute bursts where you can really focus intensely on the task at hand, and then take short 5 minute breaks in between to rest and recuperate. I believe this is clearly detailed in what is called the Pomodoro technique.

    The software that allows you to replicate the egg timer on your computer can be found here - focus booster - home; try the pomodoro technique
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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      Timers work very well and are an excellent tool to employ to beat procrastination. Better yet, it forces you to make better use of your time.

      I always had a large wind up alarm clock sitting on my desk, but since the last one bit the dust at a rather young age, I have yet to replace it. Some day I'll get accustomed to one on the computer, but my preference is for one sitting on the desk that I can see.
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  • Profile picture of the author rrm
    Originally Posted by DaveJ13 View Post

    Hey,

    I've noticed that when I create urgency for myself to get a task done not only am I more focused, but for some weird little reason it creates excitement or a rush.

    I did this 2 hours ago. So I was creating a new squeeze page. I had to write the copy. Create the page. Create the list in Aweber. Test it!

    At first that seems like a lot to put on your plate and most people would procrastinate just like I would.

    However, I set a timer for 30 minutes to see just how much I could get done. Before the 30 minutes I had completed one of my original tasks but I wasn't going to stop there.

    Next thing I knew I had been working an hour and a half on the project. I still had the same rush. I still had the same amazing focus.

    You've gotta do what works best for you. But what works best for me is to work for 2.5 hours of focused work. I do this by setting timers for various amounts of time to accomplish those tasks.

    Next thing you know the 2.5 hours is up and I have a lot of focused work finished. Then I take a 20 minutes break. I get done more than I would get done in a regular 10 hour day in just 2.5 hours. I don't have time to browse the internet or screw around when I have a race against time. It's kind of like a competition against myself.

    Call me crazy but I love the rush that this gives me. I guess I am easily impressed.

    This may or may not work for you like it does for me but I hope it gets your brain going on what you can do because it literally saved me. I was never much of a self starter before. If I didn't use this method than I would still be working the 9-5.

    Anyway, time to go set the timer again and finish out Friday strong.

    Great tip.

    Interesting how a timer helps. Even at a young age. My grand kids, for instance, when all else fails, when threats fail, when the promise of rewards fail, "doing a countdown" gets them "up and at it" almost every time. Gotta be the challenge of it.

    Also important to do the task straight through and do whatever it takes not to be interrupted. One study I read said that it takes the mind around 20 minutes to fully refocus and reengage once a task is interrupted, if only for a few moments.

    Ron
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    It's not enough to want it... you have to want it enough.

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  • Profile picture of the author DominiquePrentiss
    My son's teacher suggested that I use a
    timer to help him stay focused and get
    through his homework faster.

    It worked like magic. And then I thought...
    let me try it on myself and low and behold
    I got more done than I ever though possible
    in a 2 hours time-span.

    Yes I agree - this is one smart way to
    stay on target.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    I think the countdown aspect of the timer forces us to focus in a way that few other methods can accomplish. I have been reading a lot about the Pomodoro technique, which is basically a complete productivity system based on using a timer to work in short bursts, and it seems to me that the strict time aspect that comes with using a timer forces us to prioritize and value time much more than before, with the end result of dramatically increased productivity.

    Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author ShaunAllen
      It turns into a game for me personally. I now get excited to work no matter how tedious the task. For some reason it gets the adrenaline going and after a few minutes of being on the clock you're so focused you forget you're even being timed.



      Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

      I think the countdown aspect of the timer forces us to focus in a way that few other methods can accomplish. I have been reading a lot about the Pomodoro technique, which is basically a complete productivity system based on using a timer to work in short bursts, and it seems to me that the strict time aspect that comes with using a timer forces us to prioritize and value time much more than before, with the end result of dramatically increased productivity.

      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author alcarrerra
    Get focus booster its great and FREE !
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