Use a Timer to Change Your Life
Improve discipline, mindfulness, and enjoyment around everything you do.
As I sat down to write this, I set a timer for 20 minutes.
Feeling clear in my intention for this article and for the time that I’ve dedicated to it, I got to work, focusing on nothing except unfiltered output for that period. Accompanied by a steaming mug of tea and my journal, this has become a familiar and welcomed part of my routine that helps me gain and sustain momentum for the day.
I’ve been using the Pomodoro technique (breaking up work into timed intervals) for some time now. It’s helped me focus, and be present and joyful around any work that I do, so I wondered how I could adapt the premise to see the same benefits arise in other aspects of my life.
I started to experiment with timing more of my daily activities, doing so with the intention of being fully focused on those things for the duration of these periods (whether it’s recreational, a chore, or creative work).
Fast forward a few years, and using a timer has made me more disciplined, mindful, and able to enjoy even seemingly mundane tasks.
How and why can a timer positively impact everything from your work to your personal practices? That’s what I hope to address here.
