Time Management Hacks: 2 Benefits of Using a Timer

by | Jan 9, 2025 | Oma's Musings

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It is remarkable to consider how simply setting a timer can assist you in two ways. In this blog, I discuss the two benefits that I have discovered.

I believe there are two key benefits that can help you manage your household chores more effectively.

First, setting a timer can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

I have discussed this another blog, but let me elaborate further. Sometimes we can look at all the things we need to accomplish in a day and feel overwhelmed. However, the issue is that we are not examining each task individually. In reality, although there may be many tasks, each one might not take as long as we think.

My suggestion is this: the next time you need to empty the dishwasher, time how long it takes. Take your time and do it correctly. Or, the next time you need to fold a load of whites, time yourself and see how long it takes. Again, take your time to get an accurate idea of how long it really takes.

Once you apply this approach to all your tasks, you will manage your time more effectively, and better yet, you can take it easy while completing each one. Sometimes we rush, resulting in a subpar job, and then we end up having to redo it.

The second benefit of using a timer is this: Before you start a task you’re dreading or procrastinating on, challenge yourself to see how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time. For example, let’s say you’ve been meaning to clean out that junk drawer in your kitchen. Set a timer for 15 minutes and see how much you can tidy up. It’s like a friendly competition with yourself! You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes, and it might even take less time than you thought. Plus, it’ll give you a boost of motivation to keep going. And the best part? It’ll create a sense of accomplishment and momentum, making you want to tackle other daunting tasks with ease. 

So there you have it. What do you think? Are you willing to give this a try? Now you don’t have to go out and buy a timer. You probably have plenty around your house and maybe even on your wrist. Ask Siri to set a timer. Set a timer on your stove or microwave. Ask Google or Alexa!

I hope this helps you avoid the overwhelm of a day full of tasks, as well as motivates you and creates momentum to continue tackling the tasks you’ve been avoiding.

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