Owning a business is synonymous with long to-do lists. How do you stay focused and get all those tasks done? There’s one basic productivity tool that helps me get more done at work and at home: my timer! Don’t miss the ways my timer saves my sanity and helps me get my to-do’s DONE!
6 Ways My Timer Saves My Sanity
My timer helps me manage my time and helps my day go more smoothly. It helps me to remember appointments, stay focused, complete the items on my long to-do list, get through dreaded tasks, and tackle overwhelming projects.
Let me count the ways my timer saves my sanity!
Shakespeare anyone?! 😉
#6 Appointment Reminder
Yeah, yeah, I know, there are apps for that.
But, when I’m pushing to finish something, I tune out the sweet little tweet that my phone makes and keep on working.
When I finally finish a project (or a kid, Hubs, or a dog interrupts me), it never ceases to amaze me that there are so many notifications aglow at the top of my screen. I swear I didn’t hear any of them!
And by then, I’m late for [insert appointment here].
I need a loud, annoying sound that I’m not so desensitized to, which makes a buzzing timer an invaluable tool.
#5 No More Getting Lost in the Process (When I Don’t Have Time To Get Lost in the Process)
There are times when I’m working on an enjoyable project, and I get into the zone.
I love the zone! It’s one of the few places where my brain finally shuts up, and I can get lost in the process.
I’m not rushing or thinking about the laundry or the mess or the millions of other to-do’s that I should be doing.
I’m lost in and enjoying the process.
It’s an incredibly relaxing place for me, but alas, there is laundry to be run and messes to clean up and millions of other to-do’s to be done.
So, during these times I set the timer to remind me that right now I can’t get lost.
I’m not resentful, though. At least, not most of the time. Because it makes the next time I can get lost in the process that much sweeter! 🙂
#4 Huge Projects
We all have them: those huge projects that have moved from one day’s to-do list to the next day’s to the next, and on and on…
Because they are so HUGE and overwhelming.
But eventually, they have to get done.
Unless you can dump it, and then I say, “Dump it with gusto, friend!”
In the case that the huge project must be done, I set my timer—usually for 15 to 20 minutes—and I dive in.
When the timer beeps at me, I’m finished for the day or the week.
Then, the process starts all over until one glorious day that huge project is complete!
Then, it’s on to the next one with my trusty timer in hand.
#3 Looooong To-Do Lists
Some days there’s just more to be done.
On those days, I grab my to-do list and my timer and I get to work.
Fifteen minutes per task usually does it, but if there are leftover, unfinished to-do’s after I’ve gone through the block of time, I just start over again.
It’s a good way to get a tough workout in, too…
Running up and down the basement stairs to finally put away the Christmas boxes (it’s April) is a killer workout!
#2 Dreaded Chores
We all have these, too: those dreaded chores that have moved from one day’s to-do list to the next day’s to the next, and on and on, because, well, they just plain stink.
Cleaning the kids’ bathroom, decluttering the basement (it’s cold, dark, and dusty down there, and there are spiders…ewww), filing taxes, poop scooping, (add your dreaded chore here).
Yet again, my timer comes to the rescue!
It’s basically the same process as with the huge project: I set it for 15 or 20 minutes and work until the timer goes off, then I’m done for the day, the week, or until the time frame I’ve chosen comes around again.
#1 Kids
What don’t I use my timer for when it comes to my kids?!
I use it for:
- Bedtime
- Time out
- Chores
- Homework
- Writing thank you letters
- Walking the dogs
- Time until they have to walk the dogs
- Cleaning up their toys
- Decluttering
- Time until they can knock on my office door
- Time until they can ask me (again) if they can go to the movie with so-and-so
- Cleaning bedrooms
- Time until they can ask, “Are we there yet?” AGAIN!
Needless to say, using my timer helps me to avoid some of the regularly occurring parenting conflicts and cuts down on the arguing in our house.
Things To Do Printable
To make organizing and tracking all of your to-do’s a snap, here’s a FREE printable!
I call this printable my Master To-Do list (I also have an app for that, but I love my handwritten lists).
Any time I think of something that needs done, I jot it down on this list along with its corresponding deadline.
It stays safe and secure on my clipboard, so I never have to root for a sticky note, napkin, envelope, etc.
Grab your Things To-Do Printable HERE!
If you’d rather have a Things To Do Printable in brighter, more vibrant colors, click HERE!
6 Ways My Timer Saves My Sanity
That wraps up the ways my timer saves my sanity…at least for today. There are many other ways my timer saves my sanity, but that’s a post for another day!
Using a timer can help you better manage that long to-do list and to increase your productivity, which will leave you more time for passion projects, fun, and family.
My timer truly is one of the most valuable tools in my home office (and around the house). I hope you find ways to save your sanity with a handy dandy timer!
Related Posts
If you found today’s post helpful, you might also enjoy these related posts!
- How to Prioritize Your To-Do List by Asking 5 Simple Questions
- How to Write a Better To-Do List and Actually Get Your To-Do’s Done
- Organize Your Home Business with FREE Printables
What tools save your sanity and help you stay on track with your to-do’s?
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Great tips, Tiffany!! I never use a timer, but by golly, I think it’d help me tremendously! Especially for chores. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Amanda! Clearly, I’d be crazy without my timer. :0) I’m so glad to hear this post was helpful for you. Have a great day!
Love this!!! (Wow, I’m really blowing up your blog with comments tonight… haha!) I don’t use a timer near enough. Or ever. I need to start. You may have just changed my whole life here 😉
Hey, Amanda ~ You can blow up my blog with comments any time! :0) I seriously LOVE my timer. I actually have one on my phone, too. I’ve even been known to use the timers on the microwave and the oven! Changing lives is what THDTL is all about. :0) Keep me posted! I’d love to hear about your experiences with the timer.
I have GOT to get me one of those!!! 😉 Thank you for sharing that absolutely invaluable info. That’s terrific and so pertains to me right now.. I’m in the middle of trying to manage my time and working in short time slots is perfect for me. Thank you for the printables too!!
Hi, Kristine ~ Thanks for stopping by! I’m SO glad you found this post helpful! Especially during the summer, when my munchkins are out of school, I have to take advantage of any little snippet of time I can find, and these two tools help me so much. Best of luck with managing your time and using those short time slots awesomely. Let me know if you find any invaluable tips (I’m slightly obsessed with time management)! :0)
Your blog is awesome! This printable is great for those of us that have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are encouraged to use timers and forms. I know it will help me greatly.THANKS!
Hi, Vera ~ Thank you so much for stopping by The House Down the Lane and for the kind words! *smiling ear to ear* :0) I’m so glad you found this post helpful! I love using printables (so you’ll likely see many more popping up on the blog), and obviously, I’m dearly attached to my timer. Best of luck with these two tools!