How to use a simple timer to fight their laziness

On the pages of Layfhakera we constantly turn to the subject of personal effectiveness and try to acquaint you with all the new techniques and tools that are designed to help you improve your productivity. However, in the pursuit of new theories do not forget the long-familiar for centuries proven time management method. It is an ordinary timer. In this article, we'll remind you five simple ways to increase productivity and to overcome laziness, for which you'll need just one simple device with a timing function.

for the start of the timer

How it works: It expires when the preset time, you should immediately begin the task.

All know the story, when the work no end, and you just can not start it. Here's another site, here's another news esteem, here's to Facebook quickly would stress... So goes, hour after hour, and deal with the place does not move.

So just give yourself a comfortable, but at the same time, strictly limited to the buildup. Start the timer and takes usually rubbish, but as soon as the alarm sounds

— immediately proceed to their work. This method works particularly well if the first in the list you set is easy and fast task.

Timer for solutions

How it works: you have to take a decision as long as time has not ended.

This method can be useful for people indecisive or perfectionists. If you do not choose one of several options, if you can not take any decision unless you can not stop and you go on to finish-remodel, you simply set the timer. Time depends of course on the complexity of the required solutions, but do not stretch it too. It is enough 3-10 minutes, after which you have to finish the painful thoughts and come to some conclusion.

for focusing timer

How it works: for some time you have to concentrate fully on one task, and in any case not to be distracted.

Distraction - it is the biggest enemy of productive work. So take all measures to minimize external signals, which can hinder you. Turn off notifications from social networks, instant messengers, close, open a window in which you are working in full-screen mode. Determine experimentally how long you can last in this state. At first it may seem incredibly difficult, especially if you are used to working in a multi-tasking rhythm. So start with a small amount of time, perhaps even five minutes, and then gradually increase it.

"Tomato" timer

How it works: It runs 25 minutes without interruption, then rest for 5 minutes. Repeat.

This is very popular technique timer operation. Dividing their time for 25-minute intervals, interspersed with short periods of relaxation, you achieve a reasonable balance between work and leisure, it is a very beneficial effect on your performance. Although the classic "Tomato" technique suggests using it for 25-minute intervals, you can empirically choose for themselves a better balance. For example, I think that 35/10 - much more convenient option.

circular timer

How it works: work one hour, and then give yourself one hour of rest. Repeat throughout the day.

As a whole hour of rest every time!!! It's too much!

Numerous studies of the performance of office employees in the different countries indicate that the length of time that a person spends directly on the performance of its tasks, is not more than 3-4 hours. All the rest of the time spent on walking around the office, smoking breaks, visiting different sites and stuff. Therefore, if you are very efficient even bother to 4:00, it is possible, do even more than usual when the organization of the day. Of course, this option is not for all the specialties, but brings very good results in some cases.

Any suitable timer may be used as a tool for timing. Some choose a real kitchen timer ticking, others use a special program for smartphones. To me, the most convenient to use online applications for timing, which we described in this article.

All of the above ways to use the timer for the organization of their working time is quite effective. Try them and choose the one that best suits you. And be sure to email us about it in the comments.