google_timer_productivity

24 Minutes on the Google Timer


You can do anything for 24 minutes. You can even write and publish a blog post (we shall see).  Why 24 minutes you might ask, well I don’t have a good reason for choosing this number, it just seemed a reasonable amount of time that I could work productively before needing a break.

And the truth is, it’s working!  I’m using a very simple tool that you can find by typing “timer” in a google search bar. I set 24 minutes on the Google Timer when I need to focus on a task, for example, writing.  As you can see it’s as simple as setting the time and pushing start.  A lovely little beep sounds when the timer has expired.24_minutes_timer

Now you would think I chose this tactic for productivity, which in essence I have, but more importantly I chose it to remind myself to get out of my chair.  Sitting is not my thing.  Sitting does not agree with my back, my energy level, my attention span and now as I am getting a tiny bit older, I am also finding it does not agree with my eyesight.  I apparently forget to blink when staring at a computer screen.

goldfish_attention_span

image courtesy of Fish Tank Bank.

So, I took it upon myself to solve this problem by working in 24 minute increments.  A Microsoft study on attention span however relays this alarming fact that Americans really only have an eight second attention span! Apparently eight seconds is less than the attention span of a goldfish though I’m not clear how they tested the fish!

Regardless I stand firmly behind my 24 minute timer (pick the amount of time that works for you) as it allows me to do something very important, get up and move. I have also given myself a 24 minute social media limit that one can be surprisingly challenging.  I can check, post and comment on all of my social media quite easily in 24 minutes provided I don’t get sucked in by a video, or start reading a ridiculous string of comments on an issue I really hold no interest!

Five minutes left for this post so I will give you the down and dirty of what I did when the timer sounded today:

  • Exercise 10 jumping jacks, 10 push ups, I use this when I don’t want to leave the room or lose my focus.
  • Add, change, fold a load of laundry
  • Decide what is for dinner
  • Call my mother
  • Go to the mailbox
  • Kick the dogs ball
  • Bathroom break
  • Jump in the shower
  • Write a Blog Post… I did it Ta Da!!!
 timer_google


About LB Living Better

Lisa Bates has a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, Certification to teach Behavioral Sciences and a degree in Business Administration. From school administrator and non-profit executive, to teacher, coach, counselor and mom, Lisa has extensive experience, knowledge and training working with children from toddlers to teenagers. Currently, Lisa owns and operates LB Living Better an organizational and educational services business. Lisa has just released her first book, Barbies in the Horse Bin, Living Better with Organized Children and she is a seasoned, energizing, humorous, workshop presenter with extensive experience. As a mother of three teenagers including twin boys, Lisa maintains her sanity by writing, travelling and playing with her dogs. Read more about Lisa Bates at www.lblivingbetter.com or contact her at lisabates@lblivingbetter.com.

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