Do you have a method?

@GardenGerty (157735)
United States
June 11, 2022 8:20am CST
Last year I discovered that if I set a timer on my phone and work for a set period of time focused on just one thing, I am much more productive. I personally set my timer for 35 minutes. That allows me five minutes to bring my mind into focus on the task at hand. If I am engaged well in what I am doing I do work a bit longer. Such as right now. In my "computer time segment" I had just gotten to myLot and the timer went off. I have continued to do a little here so that I will feel like I accomplished something. I have read and responded to five or more posts so far. I also had a private message and took care of it. It is 8:15 a.m. Hubby is still in bed. I have eaten. It is time to get dressed and get on to more 35 minute projects.
20 people like this
19 responses
@m_audrey6788 (58482)
• Germany
11 Jun 22
I don`t have a method like yours but I just have some list of task to do for a day and the time depends on how long I will finish it. I will just to start with the priority things.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
I often found lists discouraging as I did not finish them . I like to write down what I accomplished after I am done. Then give myself a reward.
2 people like this
• Germany
12 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I think that`s good
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@m_audrey6788 We all deserve our little rewards.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (13419)
• Hong Kong
11 Jun 22
When I was working, I prepared a to-do list with priorities set on a daily basis. I'm semi-retired now. Completing my freelance jobs on schedule is my priority. Other than that, I just do things as I think of them. I may not focus on doing one thing at a time. I may read magazine/book while listening to music. Browsing the internet and check out myLot postings.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
I think I may be semi retired. When summer is over I will only go back to work part time. I have so many things I want to do that I jump around from task to task. Some less favorite chores I do not want to do at all, but I tell myself I can do anything for thirty minutes. I have several online tasks I complete daily and with my newer, more up to date computer I hope to find some freelance jobs.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@Beestring I want to be "employed" for my current employer for two more years due to becoming vested in the mandatory retirement account. I may be able to do that by being a substitute, though.
@Beestring (13419)
• Hong Kong
12 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I enjoy doing freelancer work. More freedom.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86905)
• United States
11 Jun 22
That might be something I could do. Will it be hot there today Heather? I hope you both are okay.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
It is sunny and 94. That feels very hot because we have been cool for so long. I have an a/c in each bedroom space. Office is in one bedroom, sewing and crafts in another. I am comfy. Bob is napping. I checked on him and he had not turned on the a/c, so I did and shut the door. We are okay, just waiting on stuff as usual.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@RebeccasFarm That is awful, especially for people our age. I am fortunate that our back yard gets very shady and is cooler in the afternoon.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Okay ..good you have the AC ..none here and it was 105 in the shade
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (96024)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Jun 22
I just do things as I think of them.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
I tend to think of about six things at once, so my timer reminds me to do one at a time.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@wolfgirl569 You are always very busy.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (96024)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I do at times also.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
11 Jun 22
I have no particular method. I do what seems most necessary first and go on from there.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
I guess my "sub method" would be to prioritize. My younger sister when she was still alive always said "Take care of the living things first" so pet care and husband care are priorities.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty That's what I do the most necessary comes first.
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
11 Jun 22
No method here... When I am kinda bored with one thing, I do other stuff.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
If I work that way I am in too many things at once.
2 people like this
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
12 Jun 22
@GardenGerty If only we have multiple hands.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (35551)
• United States
12 Jun 22
This is very interesting, because my mind is all over the place. It's hard for me to focus.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
You have so much going on that is out of your control. You might do better if you just tried to do one thing for even ten minutes at a time.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
11 Jun 22
I do this as well. I work with 'time blocks' as I like to call it. My time blocks are 25-minute long.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
If that time block is what works for you that is great. We all have our preferences. I appreciate you giving me the name "time block" for my process or method.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
12 Jun 22
1 person likes this
• China
11 Jun 22
I have lots of time on my hands,so I needn't set the timer.However I usually sign in Mylot in the afternoon.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
I never seem to have enough time for everything. There are a lot of things I would like to do.
2 people like this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
11 Jun 22
I also like to use a timer. It helps me a lot
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
I favor anything that makes life easier.
@JudyEv (326477)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun 22
I do this too with housework. Ten minutes to do what I can in one room. Often by then I'm on a roll and will finish what I'm doing if I haven't already. I work much faster with a clock ticking away too.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
Yes. I do well when I am playing "beat the clock".
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
11 Jun 22
That's an effective idea to keep you focused Heather I do use a timer when drying clothes to remind me to take them out or check on them to see if they are dry. Especially if I'm on My Lot or watching TV.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
You just reminded me I have clothes to get out of the washer and into the dryer. Thanks. I am just "test driving" my new computer.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34445)
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Glad I could be of help.
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
12 Jun 22
Ok. A method, hmm, not really. I finish mylot notification while looking at emails or playing games at greater good.com. I like to play games at least for half an hour or more a day. Drink coffee for focus and stamina.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
So it is an unofficial routine. I tend to do one less desirable task and then one pleasant task to reward myself.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Ok. Me, I do what got to be done, like laundry, dusting, ...go shopping as needed & weather permitting and of course cooking and eating.
@luisga814 (6913)
• Quezon City, Philippines
11 Jun 22
Yes. Perfect. I'm doing that method also.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
11 Jun 22
It makes me concentrate and so I am more productive.
2 people like this
@luisga814 (6913)
• Quezon City, Philippines
11 Jun 22
@GardenGerty That's correct.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170798)
• United States
12 Jun 22
I used to do that, but now just dedicate an hour a day to cleaning or what not, whatever task I am trying to accomplish.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
I have many tasks I am trying to accomplish. But yes, an hour to any one particular cleaning task is good.
@moffittjc (118664)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Jun 22
I have a certain method to my madness. I don't set timers, but I have found that I am most productive when I am multi-tasking. I get antsy if I sit on any one task for too long, so I'll have several things going all at once. If I had to guess, I am most likely just like you and can stay focused on one task for about 30 minutes. And then I switch gears and start tackling something else, again fro about 30 minutes, before changing tasks yet again. But I limit myself to how many tasks I'll have going on at one time, so that eventually I'll circle back around to the first task I was working on and continue the cycle. I know it sounds crazy to work like that, but it has served me well. My boss says I am one of the first people she has ever seen in my role that has been able to successfully handle the position and workload. It is because in my job multi-tasking is critical, and it is one thing I excel at.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
I sort of use the timer to "turn off" other tasks for a bit. I always have a multitude of things to do. In this heat a half hour of mowing is almost all I can handle, so that serves me well. I do hit certain tasks multiple times, or I will set the timer and give myself thirty minutes to quick clean a room.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118664)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty You have a system that works well for you!, and that is what’s most important
@paigea (35774)
• Canada
13 Jun 22
I need a system that I will stick to.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
16 Jun 22
You and me both.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35774)
• Canada
17 Jun 22
@GardenGerty I follow FLYlady. When I'm actually going her, it really works for me.
@aninditasen (15780)
• Raurkela, India
12 Jun 22
My computer and phone both show the time constantly so I don't need the timer. I work as long as like and move away from the site.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
Yes, I can watch the time as well. The timer just moves me along.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15780)
• Raurkela, India
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty Only when I have some content writing work and have to meet the deadline I keep looking at the watch.
@LindaOHio (157726)
• United States
12 Jun 22
I like to make lists and cross things off as I accomplish them. A timer would never work for me since I am on Noise.Cash and MyLot about 4-5 hours a day. I try to get them out of the way in one sitting.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157735)
• United States
13 Jun 22
I could not handle that many hours at one sitting.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157726)
• United States
13 Jun 22
@GardenGerty It's almost like a job.