I’ve been looking around the internet at time management information. I don’t recommend this as there’s a ton out there so researching how to manage your time turns into yet another time suck.
I’m intrigued by all the advice about staying seated and performing one task: BIC (Butt In Chair) or kitchen-timer based methods, like the Pomodoro Technique. If I’m really honest, I’m interested in some of these timer techniques because I like the idea of searching for the coolest kitchen timer for the least amount of money. You know, some great shape that will inspire me to sit down and focus on something for 25 minutes instead of putting it off for some mythical moment in the future when I’ll “have more time”.
And while I know this about myself, I’m pretty sure I’m still going to go ahead and spend time getting a fun, focus-inspiring kitchen timer. A friend suggested using an app or my laptop instead. This is a good, easy alternative but eliminates the hunt. Also, when I sit down and focus, I like being disconnected from the internet. The more I turn off, the more I do, in general.

I do believe in the idea of challenging myself to 25 or for that matter, 5 minutes of action on any given task I need to do. It’s a game I play, and I know that chances are, if I get 5 minutes into something, I’ll keep at it. Getting started is often the hardest part. I’m not interested in charting my progress or really mastering a time management technique (all I need is ONE MORE THING TO DO, right?) or being strict about the time limits I set. All I want to do is achieve my goals. And that demands focused attention to one task at a time. TIME. Whether it’s 5 minutes, 25 minutes or half a day, I must take it and use it in a targeted attempt to move forward towards my goals.
So, I’m going to get that timer and use time, all of it, big chunks, little ones too, to get closer to that goalpost. What do you do to manage your time so you have focused moments to advance towards your goal? Any favorite games you play to trick yourself into doing more than you thought you could do?
What goals do you hope to reach in November? Comment here or if you’re part of the private Sub It Club Facebook group, tells us how you’re doing over there. If you’d like to join our Facebook group, send a request. Check out the Goalpost Post archive in the tab above.
Great stuff here. I want to get a short story written for a contest entry, write my Keepsake anthology story (first draft), write a new picture book for 12 x 12, revise a few chapters of my MG, and revise a picture book. AAACCK! I’d better get hoppin’. Thank you for this. The timer trick I learned from Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic class. 🙂
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Good luck with your goals, Robyn. You’ve got a lot planned but, hey, you’ve got 30 days to move forward on each one. I’m sure you’ll do it.
Susanna’s class must be great– I love her blog!
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I love these timers, Dana! I’d choose the ‘external motivation.’ She looks mean – wouldn’t want to cross her!
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Me too, Carrie! She means business.
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Cute timers, Dana! I find “Write or Die” works well to keep me on track.
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I love your timers. I would pick the cupcake timer. And when the timer goes off, a real cupcake for sticking with it! That would be incentive for me!
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Love all the timer-art! I soooo agree that just getting 5 minutes into something is important…and usually leads to ore creativity. Happy Timing! ding.
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Timers are great for creating blocks of time in a too-busy day…which is the kind I always have.:) Mostly, I need to be careful to devote enough time to picture book writing and less time to blogging, commenting and all that jazz.:) Maybe the timer will help me. Thanks for the suggestion, Dana. I’ve got a busy December and 2014 coming up…so I will have to learn to focus better. Now…which timer would work best for me? 🙂
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Hmmmm. Not sure, Vivian! Maybe a bottle of champagne: when you finish your work, you pop the cork!
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