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A timer seems to be such a simple tool, that it is easy to overlook it in the hunt for a more complex solution. However, a simple kitchen timer can be your biggest friend and productivity partner.
Here are 7 ways your timer can help you
1. Stops Procrastination
If you are feeling resistance to starting a task, set your timer for 5 minutes and say to yourself, “I will just do it for 5 minutes”, you can do anything for 5 minutes. Even the most boring, difficult or scary task.
When the timer goes off, you will probably feel a little annoyed because you were just getting into a groove. Next, set your timer for 10 minutes. Then, 15. Continue to increase the time by 5 minutes until you get to 30 minutes. If at any point you start feeling any reluctance or anxiety, then go back to 5 minutes again.
2. Stops You from Feeling Overwhelmed
Working in short–timed segments feels ‘do–able’. The stress and overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start melts away. In the same way that a journey of a 1000 miles starts with one step. The way out of your overwhelm starts with 5 minutes.
3. Keeps You Focused
If you are prone to jumping up every time to think of something, then your timer helps you to stay focused and on task. Any tasks that come to mind before the timer rings, write them down on a pad of paper besides you and promise you will take care of them later. The more you use your timer, the less you will think of other things while you are working on a task.
4. Gives You a Sense of Accomplishment
Every time your timer goes off, you feel a sense of accomplishment; which is great because then, you get a shot of dopamine and feel motivated to do more. If you are working on a large project, where the finish line is far away in the distance, the timer provides pit stops along the way, where you get to feel proud of what you have done.
5. Stops You from Feeling Scattered
If you look at your do–to list and it is full of little unrelated tasks, your day can pass by and even though you are crossing things off, you feel scattered and unproductive. A timer gives your day structure. Look at your list and decide which tasks you are going to do in the next 30 minutes. Set your timer and work on those things. When the timer rings, have a mini break and set your goal for the next 30 minutes.
6. Turn Tasks into a Game
When you are faced with boring tasks, using a timer can turn things into a game. Estimate how long you think something will take you, then set your timer and see if you can complete the task (without compromising your standards) in the time allotted or less. You can do this for anything: from paying a bill, to putting away your groceries.
7. Helps You Get Your Housework Done
Your timer will help you with your housework too. Almost everyone I know with ADHD hates housework, but with your timer’s help, you can turn it into a fun game.
Do you use a kitchen timer?
If you’re wondering what kind of timer to get, one of my clients raves about this one! No batteries required 😀
*There may be affiliate links in this blog post and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase as a result on clicking one of the links. However I never recommend anything that I (or one of my clients) haven’t personally used and don’t absolutely love. You won’t be charged any more by using one of these links*
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Hi Jacqui,
I am still using timers but last year my older son gave me his Fitbit (a watch that keeps track of steps and other things). My main use of the Fitbit is the Timer and Alarm functions. As you said, the timer on the phone is great but it has tons of other things to look at (like cute bunny videos, texts from my mom and games!). My Fitbit vibrates which pulls me out of my focused activity (at work or home) and now I set it 10 minutes before I have to leave for an appointment, go on a Zoom meeting or change tasks. I also use the timer (15 minutes) for reading…since I started doing this I end up thinking “I just want to finish this chapter” so I turn the 15 minutes on again – In one week I had read over 8 hours – more than I had read for pleasure in years!
Dear Jacqui,
I use all of the timer suggestions you mention. I originally learned the idea from flylady.net (13 years before I was diagnosed with AdHD inattentive). She recommends setting a timer for 15 minutes at a time. As an adult it seems silly to “race the clock” but it really works for me. I don’t feel “I have to wash every dish” or “I have to clean the entire house today”. Instead, I know I only have to do 15 minutes. Most of the time you can complete a task (dishes, cleaning out 1 drawer, folding laundry, cleaning a pet’s cage) in that short amount of time. As you mention, the timer somehow takes the “dread” or “overwhelm” out of my thinking. I’ll do 3 sets of 15 minutes and then a 5 minute break for a big glass of water and check texts (for example). It’s not a perfect system. I still have lots of clean laundry that needs folding and cluttered surfaces but it’s an option that really works. These days my teen son (adhd and selective mutism) and I use Alexa as a timer. We can set multiple timers (for baking, reading, homework, video games).
Having a toddler at forty three has really thrown me a curve ball. I can’t keep up with anything. I also have health issues to try and deal with (ankolosing spodilitis) . Everyday feels like a huge battle.
Hi Christy, Whenever your life changes for the good or the bad, it takes a while for you to adjust to the new situation. When you have ADHD that adjustment period takes much longer as you try to find even footing again. With ankolosing spodilitis it must be extra challenging. Even though you are super busy with your toddler, make time to help your ADHD the Untapped Brilliance way..with Omega 3, diet, meditation, sleep and exercise (if poss with your health issues). Even though it might seem that these things add to your ‘things to do’ they are an investment in both you and how you function on a daily basis. If you need to help implementing these send me an email..Jacqueline@ Untapped brilliance dot com