My latest timer technique is working out really well. [Also, see earlier post.]
I press the timer (set for 10 minutes), and I work while it counts down. Whenever I am tempted to deviate from work, I look at the timer and say to myself for instance, "only 4:26 to go, keep working." I actually stay focused.
At the end of each 10 minute segment, I make a check on a piece of paper: four vertical lines and one diagonal line across to denote fifty minutes of effective and focused work. I draw a circle around the five lines for the last 10-minute segment to denote the completion of one full hour of work.
Sounds good, right?
The trouble is, the method is so effective that I am forgetting to take breaks. And thus, I find myself unable to work for longer than 2 hours, by the end of which I am so exhausted from the intense focus that I don't want to look at the work for the rest of the day.
Not good.
So now, instead of drawing a circle around my five lines to denote a full hour of work, I press the timer at the end of 50 minutes, and I take a 10-minute break.
We'll see if this makes any difference to me being able to focus effectively for at least 5 hours a day.
7 years ago
2 comments:
Sounds too complicated! What do you do on your "breaks"? What do yo do on your breaks that makes them so restful? Ten minutes doesn't sound like very much, either.
I would suggest that instead of Web surfing, or clicking on the TV, I would get a chore done around the house or go running, like you've done before. Make them 15-minutes breaks. If I am accomplishing something, like a chore or exercise, I feel better about the hours I spent etching another wrinkle in my brain.
I hope your method works for you!
Doesn't feel complicated to me (obviously!). Whatever helps to remove us from the intense focus will bring some freshness to the mind. I find that blogging is good, or getting something to eat, or stretching exercises, or playing with my kids, or even just shutting my eyes. A little bit of recreation (re-creation), whatever that might be--finishing a chore seems to fit for you. You sound like a flylady!
Also, I am not so rigid with my breaks being 10 minutes. I aim to do about 4 hours of focused reading/writing a day (i.e. my check marks from my timer will tell me how long I've done of focused work).
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