As I listened to my mentor this morning, he brought up a valuable lesson in the art of getting things done: timers. Timers are a transformative tool that can drive focus, track progress, and eliminate distractions. Let me share how I’ve integrated timers into my daily routines and how they’ve helped me stay on track.
In my life, I use timers for drumming and the gym. Timing my sessions is the most important ingredient for staying accountable and making progress. Since introducing a timer into my gym routine, I’ve consistently felt stronger and more accomplished. My sessions last 90 minutes, with each exercise timed for 10 minutes. If someone interrupts me or I need a break, I pause the timer. This ensures every second of those 10 minutes is maximized, and it feels amazing to see the gains from my dedication.
When it comes to drumming, I structure my practice into 20-minute blocks. I start with 20 minutes of warm-ups, then transition into 20 minutes of jamming and rehearsing my songs. I alternate between these two activities for one to two hours each day. On major rehearsal days, the sessions are much longer, but the timer remains a constant. This structured practice routine pushes my skills forward and maintains a high level of technique and groove.
For 2025, I’ve set ambitious goals—tripling my mentorship business, tenfold growth in my sample pack sales, tripling my Spotify monthly listeners, and releasing five singles. Achieving these goals requires laser-focused work. Without timers, distractions would pull me away from the tasks that matter most. Timers are my secret weapon for staying on track.
Why Timers Work
Timers instill a sense of urgency and purpose. When you know the clock is ticking, you’re more likely to stay in the zone and resist distractions. Each minute feels valuable, and you’re driven to make the most of it. Over time, this habit builds discipline and a rhythm that carries into all areas of your life.
Timers also help you track how much actual work you’re putting in. Many of us overestimate our focused time. By setting a timer, you’ll see exactly how long you’ve been productive versus how much time was lost to interruptions. This awareness can inspire you to refine your workflow and eliminate unnecessary distractions.
Encouragement to Start
If you’re new to using timers, start small. Choose one task you want to focus on and set a timer for 20 minutes. During that time, give your full attention to the task. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short period of dedicated effort. Gradually, you can expand your use of timers to other areas of your life.
Timers are especially helpful for tasks that feel overwhelming. Breaking a big project into timed segments makes it more manageable and less intimidating. Instead of feeling paralyzed by the scale of your goals, you’ll find yourself making steady progress every day.
A Challenge for You
I challenge you to incorporate timers into your routine for one week. Track your productivity and see the difference it makes. Whether it’s for practice sessions, workouts, or creative projects, let the timer be your guide.
Here are 3 helpful tricks to keep you focused while working with a timer:
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Turn off your phone notifications — You want to be in control of looking at your email or texts, not your phone dictating when you look at it.
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Turn your phone into greyscale — You’ll be amazed at how much less exciting it is to look at your phone and get distracted.
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Put your phone in the other room — While doing your work with your timer set, keeping your phone out of reach ensures uninterrupted focus.
- Purchase an hourglass Timer or multiple timers - This will give you the ablility to keep your phone out of your work space.
Remember, the work you put in will change your life. With focus and consistency, your goals are within reach. Let’s make this year the most productive and successful one yet!