"But during a week I was particularly scattered and finding it difficult to concentrate, I shared with my then-therapist how it felt like workdays kept slipping through my fingers. When she asked what I was using to time myself, I came to an embarrassing realization. Of course, using my phone to stay focused was always going to prove counterproductive. She smiled and gave me a simple suggestion, "Try a kitchen timer instead.""
"As soon as I made the switch, my workday stopped feeling like a frantic tab-switching marathon. And now, when the timer rings, I take my designated work break without immediately looking at my phone. There's less being dragged into a social media rabbit hole, no news spiral, and no texting. Instead, I use those precious minutes to stretch, tidy up, or step outside. Once they're up, I slide right into the next work-focused session feeling clear-minded."
A low-tech mechanical kitchen timer replaces phone-based timers and reduces the temptation to use the phone while working. Keeping the phone off the desk prevents being pulled into social media, news, or texts when setting or silencing timers. Timed focus sessions become easier to follow, and breaks are used for quick physical or mental resets like stretching or stepping outside. Work sessions feel clearer and more structured, turning a frantic, multitasking day into a series of steady, focused steps that improve concentration and help manage long to-do lists.
Read at Apartment Therapy
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