Increasing My Productivity - The Timer Method

I would like to talk about productivity today. Or rather – my lack of it recently. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m approaching a certain age, the pandemic has screwed with my mind and motivation, or I’m at that stage of writing a book where everything is hard work. Who knows? But I am finding it much more difficult of late to focus on my writing and editing. I’m easily distracted, I lose the thread of what I’m doing and my output has declined. But with deadlines looming, something had to change...

So last week, I trialled something that I had actually investigated a long time ago but forgotten about – timed bursts. I set the timer on my phone for 25 minutes (although I have read the maximum concentration span for most adults is 20 minutes but this gives me fiddling time). When the alarm goes off – I STOP. I get up from my desk and do something else. Doesn’t matter what; make a coffee, hang out washing, eat cake, whatever. The break can be five minutes or fifty and the unexpected upside is that, because I have to find something to do in that break time, I’m seeking out smaller jobs that I’ve been letting pile up; pairing socks, weeding a border, tidying out a cupboard… Then I return to my desk, set the timer, and I’m off again.

The dreaded ODD SOCK BASKET...

I know that it’s important to take breaks from being in front of the laptop for various reasons. Firstly, sitting in a chair for a long period of time is not good for you physically. An ergonomic set-up is essential for your back, neck, wrists, etc. I know my eyeline should be level with the top of the screen, my forearms should be horizontal, and I have an ergonomic mouse that means my wrist is resting in a natural position. This is something I addressed when I got published and noticed early sign of of RSI and back issues. (Although, I do still grab the laptop and write slumped on the sofa from time to time, and even occasionally propped up in bed…)

Eye strain is another issue, and it’s important to focus on long-distance objects every 20-25 minutes, to give your eyes a rest from close work. So the timer method means I move away from the screen and do exactly this. Plus, it’s good for the soul to stare across the open fields from time to time. Working in bursts also battles the social media time suck, because I resit the temptation to look at my phone during my timed session, knowing I can so when the alarm goes off.

I even put the timer on when I'm working outside

There is a brain strain side to sitting at a computer for too long and this is where my lack of concentration comes in. I need to give my brain more rests. The problem is, I find it hard to step away from a scene or a chapter, and persuade myself to keep going, and then produce 50 words in the following hour. Yet I would have been more productive walking away, refreshing, and returning replenished. I may only do another 25 minutes of work, but if I write 300 words in that time, it’s time well spent.

There is also a work/life balance which is hard to achieve when you are largely self employed in any capacity. I do have part time jobs that take me from the house (thank goodness) but much of my time is spent writing. This means I continually feel guilty when I’m not at my desk, so piles of washing get stepped over, cups stack up next to the sink, and you could write a whole novel in the dust – never mind your name.

But guess what, folks? My timer method is working. (And so am I!) Not only has it solved the issue of too much time at the screen, but it has also made me leave the desk and move my butt. I have even worked a smidge of exercise into these breaks, with a 7 minute workout app that I try to do once a day. (We can all spare 7 minutes – right?) And last week, with a copy edit deadline, I found I was getting through more pages and focusing much better when I gave myself frequent breaks.

So if you are struggling with concentration and output, give it a try. Don’t just tell yourself you’ll stop frequently, because you won’t. SET A TIMER and stick to it. It’s a really simple change to my writing routine, and I’m determined to continue with it – because the biggest bonus of all is my tidier house and nicely paired socks!

Jenni x

The Secrets of Hawthorn Place is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook:

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The Legacy of Halesham Hall is out 15^th September. Cover reveal coming soon!

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