Timer as a Key to Productivity
Setting a timer has become a universal routine. The alarm wakes you up in the morning, then again while reheating the breakfast, in Uber, tracking the ride and it is only the beginning of the day. If timer is a usual thing that makes you finish things on time, why not apply it at work to boost productivity?
There are basically two ways to improve productivity. The first one is delegating. WriteMeEssay, for example, can help you to solve a number of writing tasks with high quality. And the second will be described in the article below.
Avoid Multitasking
We all want to accomplish more in less period of time. But it usually results in declining in quality and critical mistakes, sometimes it will take even longer to fix errors. According to Stanford University’s research researchers are still investigating whether chronic media multitasking is born with an inability to concentrate, or whether they impair their cognitive control by willingly perceiving so much at once. But they are convinced that the minds of multitaskers are not working as well as they could. In addition, the human brain is designed in such a way that it simply cannot multitask. In fact, he reacts to each task separately, sequentially switching from one to another. At the same time, concentration on each of them can last only a few seconds, hence there is an illusion of their simultaneous perception. Nevertheless, there are those who oppose this point of view. Clifford Nass, Stanford University Scientist, hypothesized assuming that multitaskers have special abilities that distinguish them from others. He decided to prove that such unique people can better switch between tasks. It was found that multitaskers are much worse at filtering information and switch their attention slower compared to those who are used to solving problems one after another. As a result, both the quality of the work and the pace of solving work tasks suffer.
How can a productivity clock solve the problem of multitasking? This allows you to create a special focus that will push you to achieve your goal and not let your mind be distracted. People who are accustomed to using timers noticed that multitasking significantly reduces their productivity. They feel the need to streamline their work time so as not to be sprayed, constantly jumping from one task to another.
Meaningful Breaks
The way you work is important, but the way you relax can play a crucial role. Working nonstop is an awful idea. You can overexert yourself until health problems arise. It is vital to plan your breaks and make them regular. You have used a productivity timer, everything seems to you as it should be. You leave for a break and then by chance a few hours fly by, and it’s hard for you to return to work. The simple solution here is not to put away your timer when the working session is over. Using a timer for setting the time of your break is also a tool. This way you make sure, you will not spend hours on doing nothing and will get down to business at time.
It is important to add that quality rest should be different from your work. If it is connected with a computer, then you are unlikely to rest playing a computer game. It would be much better to opt for a walk in the fresh air, chatting with colleagues, and a little physical activity. Many people try to fill the break with small tasks that they cannot get done or just do not want to leave for later. As a result, the break turns into solving problems and tasks.
Triggers and Distractors
Before starting work, it is important to clear the space around from everything that distracts you. The goal is to eliminate all distractions during the working session. If unexpected distractions arise during work, a timer can play an important role in whether a person will be distracted or not. Knowing that time on the productivity timer will be spent on an untimely action, a person is more likely to postpone it and complete it after completing the current task, rather than start multitasking. If you receive a call at work, you can answer that you will call back later and continue to finish the current task. For instance, WriteMeEssay suggests that it is important to fully focus on writing. Sudden distractions knock out of thought and disrupt its flow.
Long Awaited Reward
When you plan work, you need to set not only a timer, but also determine for yourself the reward that you will receive as a result of completing the task.
Moreover, the awards should be different. If you work 20 minutes or 40 – the reward should be appropriate.
It is important to determine awards in advance, so that during work, firstly, not to be distracted, and secondly, to know that having done something difficult and possibly unpleasant, you will receive a reward for which you are ready to concentrate and work efficiently until the end of the timer.
And again, you should not give yourself the reward of “surfing Instagram” just a couple of minutes. Since, it will only worsen the quality of your rest. It is better to choose something useful and motivating at the same time.
Involvement in the Process
The average office worker is only productive 2 hours 23 minutes a day. The rest of his working time he spends on social networks, reading news sites, communicating with colleagues and other activities. And this despite the fact that in the office, employees are usually supervised by a manager or team leader.
It seems hard to be involved in just one task. To devote a certain period of time to just one business. Setting a timer in this case will help focus and not divert attention to other actions. During this period of time, you need to focus entirely on one task. Dedicate all your attention and time to the task as if there would be no other chance to do the job. The timer helps a lot in this matter. The process does not stretch for a long time, and you will manage to perform work much faster and more efficiently.
Pomodoro Technique
In its simplest form, the Pomodoro Technique works like this:
- Make a list of tasks that need to be done in the near future (for example, a week). Such tasks are called active.
- From the list of active tasks, select the ones you want to do today. Add them to your to-do list for the day.
- Arrange tasks for the day from highest to lowest priority.
- Turn on the timer for 25 minutes. Get started!
- 25 minutes have passed – take a break of 5-10 minutes. After 4 “tomatoes” take a full break of 15-20 minutes.
- Repeat steps 4-6 until you have closed all the tasks from the list for the day. Mark each “tomato” spent on the task in front of it with a cross. Cross out closed tasks.
Why is the Pomodoro Technique so Popular?
First of all, you are working on a specific task. There is less risk of being distracted and getting into multitasking mode because you know there will be a break in 25 minutes.
Moreover, You get more done in less time. In Pomodoro, there is a principle: “Do more in less time.” You are not distracted by other tasks and social networks, which means you do not overload your brain with unnecessary information.
Finally, You learn to correctly plan tasks for the day. When planning your day with Pomodoro, you choose the highest priority tasks and predict how long each one will take.
Summary
All in all, setting a timer can have a significant impact on productivity. It has been proven more than once that this method works. Very often it is used by students of prestigious universities to be productive in their studies and not be distracted. Try this method in your daily routine and you can see the results yourself. Time trackers fix how long it took to complete tasks, help improve concentration and increase productivity, and block social media notifications so you don’t get distracted. It’s worth trying, since it gives you control over the time spent on tasks and prevents you from smoothly flowing from one to the other. Once you receive notification, you follow the link, read advertisements and for an hour now you order goods in the online store, which you will then sell at the garage sale. Productivity clock is a tool which helps to effectively manage time, attention and always complete plans with proper planning.
Have you finished reading the article? Admit if you were distracted while reading. It’s time to install one of the distracting content blockers and finally finish the business.
