• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Working Mom Blog | Outside the Box Mom

making life easier for working moms

  • Home
  • Home Life
    • Cleaning
    • Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Laundry
    • Organizing
    • Save Money at Home
  • Meals
    • Cooking Shortcuts
    • Grocery Shopping
    • Health
    • Meal Planning
    • Recipes
    • Save Money on Meals
  • Work
    • Blogging
    • Entrepreneur Mom
    • New Working Mom
    • Unemployment
    • Work at Home
    • Work / Life Balance
  • Mom
    • Beauty, Style, and Fashion
    • Faith
    • Health
    • Me Time
    • Productivity
  • Family
    • Childcare
    • Digital Life
    • Education
    • Family Time
    • Hobbies
    • Holidays
    • Marriage
      • Marriage Advice
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Finances
  • About
    • About Raki Wright
    • Disclosure Policy
    • My Communities:
    • Outside The Box Mom Resources
    • Parties I Link To
    • Privacy Policy | Privacy Notice
  • Contact
  • Shop

How to Get More Done Using a Timer

This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure.

by RAKI WRIGHT

We all likely have more to do than we will ever have time to accomplish.  But using this really simple tool, you can get more done.

Timers are not just for the Thanksgiving turkey.  They were created to take on the task of alerting you when a particular time frame has passed, so you can do other things.  Whether you use the microwave, egg timer, or cell phone, using a timer can facilitate limits, progress, and reward.

Set Limits

Time is not unlimited and Parkinson’s law states that “work expands to fit the time allowed.”  So, set a limit and be okay with walking away at the sound of the buzzer.  This works very well for me when dealing with things that could go on infinitely, like social media.  This is also great for limiting story time (no more “just one more story”), monitoring video game time,  and helping with routine and structure.

Allocate Time

Timers can encourage you to allocate a set amount of time to spend on a neglected or dreaded task.  For me, I try to dedicate 15 minutes each day to de-cluttering and finding things to donate.  When I have an overwhelming project, I also like to dedicate 10-15 minutes toward it, each day.

Reward Kids

When you need to get something done, set the timer for somewhere between 10-30 minutes, depending on your child’s age.  This gives them a definite end time that you will be done.  Then, you can promise that you will spend a certain amount of time with them doing their chosen task.

Simplify Work

I split up work tasks and projects into 15 minute chunks, for which I find the use of a 15 minute timer invaluable to help me stay on track. And while I don’t always finish the entire project, I make progress. You can alternate between tasks or divide steps into these chunks, while working on the same project.

Monitor Chores

My washing machine’s cycle takes 18 minutes (yes, I timed it) from the time I start the water to the second rinse.  I stop the machine to shorten the load’s cycle time, so I can hang clothes I normally don’t dry.  I do the same with the dryer to prevent wrinkled clothes.

Multi-task While Cooking

If you’re anything like me, you need a reminder to get the pot off the stove or the pan out of the oven.  Rarely do I stay in or near the kitchen to remind me that I am cooking.  I have usually moved on to something else. You can make use of modern appliances like bread machine, mixture, ovens, etc. to get multiple things done at one time.

Prevent Procrastination

It creates a sense of excitement when I can say “I’ll be finished with this task in ___ minutes.”  If I don’t finish, I’m still encouraged by progress I have made.

This is my favorite timer.

Other Timer Ideas

  • Pomodoro Technique :: A cycle of completing 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break.
  • Timeboxing :: A scheduling or task management tactic to allocate a fixed amount of time to a task.
  • Baby steps – make it a tiny habit ::  Picking the smallest amount of time to perform a task with the lowest possibility of failure.

These are my favorite ways to get more things done using a simple timer.

Do you use timers to increase your productivity?

Read other posts in the 31 Days to Make Being a Working Mom Easier series.

31-days-to-make-being-a-working-mom-easier

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
RAKI WRIGHT
RAKI WRIGHT
Raki's Google Profile
RAKI WRIGHT
Latest posts by RAKI WRIGHT (see all)
  • Learning from History: What the World’s Worst Ideas Can Teach Us -
  • How Personal Injury Can Impact Moms: Balancing Recovery with Family and Career -
  • Saratoga Emergency Room: Your Lifesaver in Times of Need -

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Productivity Tagged With: 31 Days

Previous Post: « 31 Days to Make Being a Working Mom Easier
Next Post: Make Laundry Easier: Stop Doing These 7 Things »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laurie says

    at

    These are some great ideas! Thank you for sharing with us at Brag About It!
    ~Laurie

  2. Jaimi@The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says

    at

    This is a fantastic tip! I love how you explain in all areas of our busy mom lives where we can use this tip to help feel more productive and stay focused. I definitely need this! Thanks for linking up at Wonderful Wednesday! I am saving this idea for sure.

  3. Steph says

    at

    I’ve seen a few posts about timers this week…I feel like I’m being called to make a change to the way I do some things. I will definately be trying to incorporate some of your ideas into my routine on days I work from home!

  4. Danielle says

    at

    I have never thought of using a timer. Good idea! Thanks for sharing at Idea Box!

  5. Sinea Pies says

    at

    We all are looking for ways to get more done in the time allowed Thanks for this great post helping us to do just that! It was very popular at last Wonderful Wednesdasy Blog Hop and will be FEATURED this week. Congrats!

    • OutsideTheBoxMom says

      at

      Thanks Sinea!

  6. Lorelai says

    at

    Love this! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – We hope to see you again next week!
    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

Trackbacks

  1. 31 Days to Make Being a Working Mom Easier says:
    at

    […] Using a Timer […]

  2. 6 Things You Should Automate to Free Up Your Time says:
    at

    […] in the morning before work and return home to dinner.  Some models are programmable and include a timer to keep your meal warm or delay the start […]

  3. 31 Ways to Make Being a Working Mom Easier says:
    at

    […] How to Get More Done Using a timer […]

  4. Why You Need to Use a Timer says:
    at

    […] How to Get More Done Using a Timer […]

  5. Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - Recipes for our Daily Bread says:
    at

    […] How To Get More Done from Outside The Box MomBacon Stuffed Cheeseburgers from Penny Pincher Jenny […]

  6. Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #13 - My Life Abundant says:
    at

    […] DIY Faux Crock from Alli Renee Blog How To Get More Done from Outside The Box Mom […]

  7. Wonderful Wednesday #124 - MOMMY ON DEMAND says:
    at

    […] How To Get More Done from Outside The Box MomBacon Stuffed Cheeseburgers from Penny Pincher Jenny […]

  8. Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #124 - Simplee Thrifty says:
    at

    […] How To Get More Done from Outside The Box Mom […]

  9. 2 Free Printables: Household Cleaning List and DIY Fishing Game at Wonderful Wednesday #124 - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    at

    […] Beams Martha Martha Martha {Cake Filling} from Oh! Mrs. Tucker DIY Faux Crock from Alli Renee Blog How To Get More Done from Outside The Box Mom Bacon Stuffed Cheeseburgers from Penny Pincher Jenny Editor’s Pick This week, Sinea, […]

  10. Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop #13 | My Life Abundant says:
    at

    […] How To Get More Done from Outside The Box Mom […]

Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Raki. I am a working mom of 2 (22-year old son and 15-year old daughter). I share tips to balance work, family, and make time for you. More...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Footer

What are you looking for?

ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO GET THE BEST TIME-SAVING TIPS AND SOLUTIONS FOR BUSY, WORKING MOMS IN YOUR INBOX.

    Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok