Everyone knows that setting a timer for yourself when starting a task can improve efficiency.

But how often do you do it?

If you struggle to consistently use this basic time management technique, it may be your timer’s fault.

Because most people use their phone as a timer, they often don’t make it past all the distractions poised to steal your time away.

What starts as a good intention, often ends in failure (What was I setting a timer for?).

Here’s a better way.  

I recently bought a couple of cube timers.  There are dozens of these types of timers on Amazon.

When I want to start a task, I assess how much time I want to allot to the task and flip the block.

I’ve started in a couple seconds.  No distractions.

No fiddling with my phone interface.
It helps me overcome the inertia of getting started on an important task and stay focused on that task until it’s completed.

For me, it has become a simple life-hack that helps me get more of the right things done.