Get a Time Timer - And Time the Hell Out Of Things
A few months back, I read Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days (note: 9 times out of ten when I say I read something, I listened to it as an audiobook), and it inspired me to buy a Time Timer. Admittedly, I started using it for all kinds of things beyond the obvious, so I thought I'd share 5 that came top of mind:
- Get to work 10 minutes early with a cup of tea / coffee / whatever. Sit down. Set your Time Timer for 5 minutes, get a pad of paper and a pen, and map out everything you want to get done for the day / week.
- At the start of a very short 1-on-1 when you are trying to solve a problem or overcome a road block, stare deeply into the other person's eyes, slowly turn the dial to 5 and say, "If we don't figure this out before time runs up, one of us doesn't leave this room alive." Instant productive and short meeting.
- Don't you just hate chores like cleaning and folding clothes? Set the timer, race the clock to finish in the time allotted. You win? Get a piece of dark chocolate and put it in your gullet. You lose, set it for 5 minutes and cry in the corner until the red timer runs out.
- When traveling, bring this with you for an easy workout companion. Set the time for the set amount of minutes, and have a few good AMRAP workouts handy (as many rounds as possible, repeated until the time runs out) such as:
AMRAP 20 – 20 walking lunges, 20 situps, 20 pushups, 20 squats
AMRAP 15 – 5 push-ups, 15 sit-ups, 30 squats
Ta-da, easy quick workout you can do in a hotel room in your underwear -- or for extra points in the lobby if you're feeling adventurous and enjoy making other people feel uncomfortable. - Too busy to read that book I referenced? Set the time timer for 2 minutes and read this article, you lazy bum.
