It’s safe to say that probably just about everyone has experienced difficulty in staying focused and organized at one point or another.
For the days when sleep is short, caffeine doesn’t seem to do the trick and you’re struggling with lack of focus, time blindness, and difficulty concentrating, finding tools to help with time management can be a game changer.
One technique that’s gaining popularity is the use of visual timers.
But does setting timers really help with time management?
Click here to jump to the TL;DR summary.
What Are Visual Timers?
Visual timers are time management tools that use a visual display to show the passage of time. They can be digital or physical and come in different sizes and colors. Visual timers work by displaying the remaining time left for an activity or task, helping you stay focused and increase productivity.
Unlike analog clocks or hourglasses, visual timers do not require reading or counting skills (in most cases), making them an ideal tool for people with attention issues – and for people of all ages and abilities.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look into the question of how helpful visual timers are, and explore the advantages of using visual timers to maintain focus, enhance productivity, and improve the concept of time.
Can Setting Visual Timers Help With Time Management?
Visual timers can help neurodivergent individuals who struggle with time management by breaking down time into manageable units.
Seeing the time ticking down on a timer can help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of structure, which can improve overall performance.
They also provide a visual cue that helps individuals transition between tasks more easily. In many cases, visual timers also reduce impulsive behavior by creating a sense of urgency and accountability.
Time Blindness
One of the most significant challenges for neurodivergent individuals with ADHD and autism is time blindness. They often struggle with accurately estimating the passage of time, which can lead to difficulty managing their time effectively.
Setting a timer can help learners stay on track by providing a visual cue and setting an endpoint for a task. Timers help a learner better understand how long a task takes and can help with staying focused on completing it without getting sidetracked by other distractions.
Lets You Track How Long You’ve Spent on a Task
Another advantage of setting timers is that they let you track how long you’ve spent on a task. For instance, if you need to complete a project within a particular time frame, you can set a timer to help you stay focused on the task at hand. By doing so, you can more effectively monitor how much time you have left to complete the job and avoid wasting time unnecessarily.
Needless to say, the ability to track how much time you’ve spent on a task and how much you have left can be a valuable tool in staying motivated, on task, and productive.
We frequently use time studies as a helpful tool with our executive functioning coaching clients. To check out our time log system featured in the Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook (get 20% off with coupon code LSA20), download the customizable exercise.
Can Improve Your Concept of Time
It’s not just the short-term benefits, either. Setting timers can also help improve your concept of time. Those with ADHD often struggle with time management, which can make it challenging to plan time and complete tasks on schedule.
By setting a timer, you have a visual reference to keep you on track, which can lead to better time management skills over time. You can learn to estimate how much time it takes to do certain tasks and develop the ability to plan and prioritize tasks effectively.
How to Use Visual Timers
Sometimes, time just seems to escape us. You might find yourself lost in a daydream, hyper focusing, or even forgetting about deadlines and appointments altogether.
That’s why visual timers are so important in your daily routine. These timers can help you focus and work to visually represent the amount of time left in a certain task or activity.
If you’ve ever wondered how to use visual timers, here are some tips.
1. Consider a Pomodoro Timer
The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time-management method that involves breaking work into intervals, typically 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks. This technique can be particularly helpful for neurodivergent individuals who struggle with maintaining focus for extended periods.
A Pomodoro timer is a simple solution to help stay on track and focused on the task at hand.
There are many options available, such as Pomofocus, Focus Booster, and Tomato Timer, all featuring customizable timers and tracking.
2. Use a Countdown Timer
A countdown timer is perhaps the simplest form of a visual timer, often found in elementary school classrooms and even preschools, but it can still be an incredibly valuable tool.
With a countdown timer, individuals can visually see how much time they have left to complete a specific task or work on a project. There are different types of countdown timers available, such as digital and analog versions, to accommodate different preferences.
3. Try a Stopwatch
A simple stopwatch (like this free one by googling “stopwatch”) can be an impactful tool for those who need to track their productivity. A stopwatch can be started and stopped with ease, allows for split timing, and can be reset easily.
Using a stopwatch can help you understand how much time you are spending on various tasks and where adjustments need to be made to your time management process.
4. Consider Sensory Timers
Sensory timers provide a visual representation of time passing through the use of color and movement, helping you manage your time in a more engaging way.
Sensory timers may include a sand timer, bubble timer and others. The unique design of the timer can make it more enjoyable to use for many individuals, providing a more engaging way to manage time.
5. A Phone Alarm Works Too
Another option to consider is using your phone’s alarm as a timer. Many smartphones have built-in timer features that you can customize based on your needs.
While phone alarms can be distracting, they can also be helpful in keeping track of time if you place your phone out of sight during your task. In this case, they aren’t so much of a visual timer but an auditory one – but can still be effective. Remember to turn off notifications and use only designated ringtones or vibration settings for your timer alarm.
6. Physical Timers vs. Timer Apps
Physical timers can help reduce the temptation to check your phone or other electronic devices while working. They can also provide a sensory experience that helps individuals stay engaged and focused.
However, some people may prefer timer apps, as they are more customizable and portable. Timer apps can also provide additional features, such as graphs, charts, or social sharing, that can help individuals track their progress and motivate them to complete tasks.
7. Consider How Much Distraction Your Timer Will Add
While visual timers can be helpful, they can also be distracting, especially if they have flashing lights or loud sounds. So, when you choose a timer, consider how much it will add or detract from your focus. A timer that is too distracting may not be helpful and can do more harm than good.
8. Don’t Forget to Add Break Time Between Tasks
Taking a break between tasks can help you recharge and refocus. It can also prevent burnout and improve your overall productivity. When you use a visual timer, make sure you schedule breaks between tasks. This can be done by setting a timer for your break time or using a separate timer entirely.
9. Remember Other Time Management Tools and Strategies
While visual timers can be effective, they are not the only tool you can use to manage your time. Other tools like calendars, watches, and accountability buddies can also be helpful. These tools can help you plan your day, stay on schedule, and stay accountable to your goals.
10. Use Your Visual Timer to Practice Time Estimation
It’s not just about the short-term benefits of visual timers for productivity – they can also help strengthen your skills over time.
Visual timers, which show the passage of time, can be incredibly helpful for those with ADHD who struggle with time management and estimation.
By using visual timers to get done work over an extended period, you can build your stamina and increase the amount of time you spend working. Essentially, you’ll train your brain to focus and improve your time awareness – and that’s so beneficial for the long run!
TL;DR – (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Visual timers can be an effective tool to help you manage your time better.
Not only can they help you get work done in the short term, but they can also dramatically improve your concept of time as you get used to incorporating them.
While setting timers alone may not be a cure-all for time management issues, using them can be a useful tool in conjunction with other executive functioning practice.
If you struggle with time management, consider giving it a try and see if setting timers can help you stay on task and get more done. And consider giving executive function coaching a try if you need more advice on how to incorporate these tools into your daily routine.
Remember, managing your time is a key factor in reducing stress – and achieving success in your personal and professional life.
Further Reading
- Rebekah Pierce: Time Blindness & ADHD: What You Need To Know
- Rebekah Pierce: Breaking The Cycle Of Task Paralysis: Strategies For Success
- Rebekah Pierce: 14 Tips for Managing ADHD (And Neurodivergence) At Work
- University of Washington: Improving Time Awareness
- Bryan Collins: The Pomodoro Technique Explained