Unlock Your Productivity 2X With a Time Management Hack!

Productivity and time management is a challenge for everyone!

Two months before (April 2022), I (Lata Raj) joined the NxtDecade team as a ‘Content Head,’ with the responsibility to plan and strategize content and blogs.

It was a satisfactory responsibility, and I was excited to produce some good results.

But, I observed that mismanagement of time directly reduced my productivity and I was inefficient in utilizing my working hours properly. I tried many time management hacks but nothing worked as I wanted.

I was always late for the deadlines, and that drove me anxious. I started thinking this new responsibility was too overwhelming and not for me.

I even discussed it with the co-founder of NxtDecade, Satya Prakash. After brainstorming, we decided to go for the Pomodoro technique.

It is a method where we can divide our workday into chunks of time intervals with a break time of a few minutes.

Further, he asked me to choose any one thing as a ‘Joining Gift.’ I thought this was his way of boosting my self-confidence and cheering me up.

After some research, I found a device called ‘Hourglass’ and decided to have this to manage my work routine. I was always fascinated with this ancient device because of movies like Prince of Persia and The Mummy Returns.

I received this product online and started using it by setting a timer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, I took a break of 10 minutes and turned the sand-timer upside down while pursuing another set of tasks.

Gradually, I saw the difference in my productivity and the quality of work I was achieving. I was satisfied with my results and would highly recommend others to try this product!

Before moving on, how did I accomplish that?

First, let’s discuss everything about an ‘Hourglass?’

What is an ‘Hourglass?’

It is a device to measure a time interval. It uses the flow of sand moving from the upper glass bulb to the lower glass bulb. The two glass bulbs are connected through a narrow tube and give a constant time interval.

It could take 15 minutes, half an hour, or a full hour to fill the lower bulb, depending on its size and the amount of sand used. Turn the sand-timer upside down to use it again.

Time Management Hack Tool

Time: 30 Minutes. Once set timer, work distraction free, focused and feel the time passing that makes your more targeted for the work.

Check 30 minutes sand timer on Amazon

This device can be one of the best time management hacks one could ever discover.

In this blog, we will find out the use of ‘Sand-timer’ for increasing our productivity 2X and its need in today’s fast pacing world.

Why Should You Use it for Time Management?

1. Provides visual control of your time

As we know, there are different types of learners in this world. One can learn through visuals, auditory, kinesthetic, writing, or reading.

With the sand timer, we could see and feel the time sweeping away.

It makes us realize that the time is gone that we had allotted for any particular task, and now we need to move on.

2. It creates self-control

It helps in dealing with procrastination habits.

You can control the flow of your time by understanding when you should begin your task and when it is about to finish. It will also support replacing the distractions caused by some unnecessary things.

3. Use it to achieve short-term goals

You can use it as a tool for setting your short-term goals.

For instance, set the timer for 30 minutes, and try to complete it in that time only.

It reminds you to change the task. Therefore, remove disturbances around you and designate the time for your high-priority tasks.

4. A creative way to take charge of your time

This is almost like playing a game but in a productive way. The look of this sand-timer will fascinate you and motivates you to start doing your tasks.

We can increase our brain’s efficiency by implementing creativity in our work.

The sand-timer will definitely help you in this regard.

5. To take one step at a time

According to experts, our minds can stay focused for about 40 minutes before we start feeling disinterested or unable to focus anymore. Therefore, you should work in small steps to achieve your target.

Instead of rushing or feeling overwhelmed, take one step at a time. After finishing your task, reset your time by starting it again with the sand timer.

6. Monitor your progress and increase your productivity

You can check your progress by setting a timer of 30 minutes or an hour and comparing the amount of work you have completed.

If you feel that you took more time than earlier, next time work on it. You can check the reason behind it, maybe you got distracted or worked at a slow pace. This tool will also help you if you are “moonlighting” and need to finish several projects on time.

Try to find the reason and start improving it.

7. Become independent and self-satisfied

You will become independent after taking full control of your time. Learn to manage your time by following all the above techniques with this device.

You will achieve self-satisfaction once you start achieving your goal. It will encourage you and keeps you motivated to move further in your life.

8. Flaunt your new ‘Gadget’ to your friends and colleague

Another advantage of this device is that you can show it off to your friends or colleagues as it gives vintage vibes. They may have seen this in movies but never have used it.

You can keep it at your workplace and even inspire others to use it.

How Did I Unlock my Productivity With this Hack?

Here’s what a clock says,

“Don’t just watch me, do what I am doing, KEEP GOING

Let’s learn some of the ways this sandglass timer has helped me:

1. To deal with my ‘procrastination’ habit

Procrastination is the founder of all disasters.

I realized this and was desperately searching to change my habit. Once I received ‘Sand-timer’, I started using it for completing my tasks.

The trick I followed was to break my time into 30 minutes segments and then take a break for 10 minutes to re-energize myself.

It made me stay focused and self-satisfied after completing my work on time.

2. Assisted me in overcoming ‘Writer’s block’

Every writer has faced this issue once in a while. I am no exception, after finishing one article, suddenly I am out of ideas. I don’t know where to start, or what outline I should prepare.

However, ever since I started using this timer as a time management hack, my problem has been reduced. It gives me time to reflect on the work I have done and time to take a rest.

After taking proper rest, my mind reset itself and I started getting lots of ideas and thoughts which I could later inculcate in my writing.

3. Replaced my distractions with my targets

As I have mentioned, ‘sand-timers’ provide a chance to self-measure our growth, and it certainly helped me reduce my distraction with something useful.

I could compare my work with the results I was getting. If I was unable to complete my work on time but the last time I did. It means I was distracted or was lost in my imagination.

Over time, I realized my limitations and improved them.

For instance, Earlier I was drafting two articles in a week and proofreading two of them. But now I can complete four to five articles in a week and get time to research more.

4. Increased my efficiency and inspired me to give my best

It made me recognize whenever I was losing focus or wasting my time. With this device, I was able to find out the number of tasks I have accomplished in a particular time.

It motivated me to start working on another project with new energy. Whenever I feel tired from working, it boosts me up. I get inspiration by looking at the movement of the sand that no matter what, it continues with its work.

5. Cope up with my anxiety and low-confidence

My anxiety automatically vanished once I started achieving my goals. It developed my confidence level after I increased my productivity at the workplace.

Plus, it makes me feel special and valued that I can do anything I want.

Thankfully, I tried this sand-timer and received positive results.

Order now: A productivity tool, sand timer on Amazon

Practical use of a ‘Sand Timers’

1. Meditation and exercise purpose

It can be used for meditation and exercise by putting a timer of 30 minutes and monitoring your workout routine.

2. Measuring the length of your phone conversations

You can use this device to check how many rounds you spend talking on the phone if you are not unable to track your time by setting a timer.

You will get the basic idea of it and next time you can cut it short.

3. A tool for the teachers and educators

It can be used as a creative tool for educators to attract students’ attention. They can put a timer in a test and ask students to monitor the time and start writing.

4. For gift purposes

This elegant piece can be gifted to anyone if you are not sure what they like. It will make a thoughtful present that everyone will like.

5. Home/Office decoration

It can be used to put on your office desk or at home as a decorative yet useful item. People will get curious and will ask where did you get this or how to use it.