Many of us find timers a very handy tool for writing. But have you considered all the ways you can use your timer?
Let me share 3 of my favorites, then please do add more.
First, there’s the UnSchedule way.
How to use it: Here you use the timer as a count-up “punch clock”, measuring how long you’ve spent fully committed to your project. The Unschedule is part of a whole system to change your thinking about your Project, its place in your life, and your time commitments. Using “unallocated time” as available time for writing, then measuring how much of that time you’ve committed to your Project, let’s you track how much time you actually spend on it (good feedback), then add up all those Project minutes and hours (good reinforcement) as your times and enthusiasm gradually increases.
When to use it: When you find yourself regularly feeling some resistance to “putting in time”on the Project and want a longer-term fix. The Unschedule is best used as part of an entire attitudinal shift program rather than on its own, as an isolated “technique”.
Next, the Count-Down — I Only Have To Do This for xx Minutes — Way.
How to use it: Your timer here is a count-down watch, ticking off the seconds until you’re free of your commitment to being on this aspect of the Poroject. The time you choose represents your intial working commitment to the Project (i.e., you can always re-set the timer and just keep working if you’re so inclined, once started). It is best used in small doses. Many of us find 15 minutes is a good fit; others like 30 minutes (I would never go above that); some even use it in 5-minutes increments. Play with what gets you started and lets you keep going for the whole period. The other important element of using a count-down method is selecting the size of the task. Make it something that can be done in that time period, so you have the satisfaction of finishing and maybe even of planning or starting a next bit. (So you know what to set your timer for the next time. ;-)
When to use it: When you find yourself avoiding getting started on any particular day. This is the tool to use to negotiate with yourself to decrease the anticipated pain of working on the Project (“It’s just 15 minutes; at least I’ll have done Something!”). It’s a particularly nifty tool when you know you have trouble starting, but once started tend to keep going. It’s what my father taught me to call a “good hurt” (i.e., it hurts, but the pain isn’t damaging anything AND is helping something.) I don’t recommend using it to force yourself through an entire Dissertation — see above UnSchedule plan for changing the pain instead.
Finally (for today), the Reminder timer.
How to use it: This is the one most people already use. It’s kind of self-explanatory — setting a timer so you don’t forget previous commitments. Why have I included it here? Because I think it’s important to be able to get into a state of “flow” on your project without having to check your watch/clock every few minutes to pick up your child/get to a class/attend a meeting/etc. This timer use gives you the freedom to get immersed in what you’re doing and not get in trouble for being late for dinner (who, me??).
Feel free to mix and match these uses, if more than one fits your situation of the day (or hour).
And do share other varieties of timer use. Let’s make a collection!