time boxing

It’s a well known fact that all jobs expand to fill their allotted time limit, so if you tell yourself you will clutter clear your stuff until it’s finished, don’t be surprised if it takes forever. Time box each job. Break each task down into chunks, decide how long it will take you to complete each one, and then set your timer. Work against the clock to do each chunk within the time box you have set yourself.

You can also use this technique to accomplish other types of tasks. For example, if you are doing a job at your computer, there are some great timer software programmes you can use. My favourite is a free download called Cool Timer from www.harmonyhollow.net. Instead of a boring alarm sound you can set it to burst into life with any sound track you have on your computer when time’s up. I revised and updated most of this book in 60-minute time boxes using this technique.

If you’re the kind of person who procrastinates because you love the adrenalin rush of getting something done just in time for a deadline, you’ll adore time boxing. This way you won’t have to wait for a big deadline but will be able to get your fix many times a day. However, I have to warn you that with practice you’ll be able to time box yourself without a clock, and will routinely start getting jobs done on time. So only use this technique if the rest of your life is interesting enough not to need adrenalin highs (your kidneys will thank you for this and serve you longer because of it).