Focus Booster is a tiny timer that sits on your computer desktop (wherever you want it) and counts down from 25 minutes with a clock as well as a color bar that changes from green to yellow to red. Then it sounds an alarm and gives you another 5 minute "snooze" timer.
Sounds so simple, right? Here's what I use it for:
- to limit my time spent clicking aimlessly online, surfing the web
- to keep track of how long I spend on email, reading blogs, etc
- for writing sessions when I'm juggling projects. I'll give each it's own 25-30 minute focus boost and don't feel guilty about moving on to the next project.
- to remind me to look up and re-focus my eyes (my eye doctor has been urging me to do this for years, now I finally have a painless way to remember!)
- to encourage me to get up off my butt and stretch, walk, or exercise before sitting back down (sitting too much is a constant threat to a writer's health)
- to time my exercise or other breaks. Since there's an audible alarm, I don't have to keep watching the clock.
Why not give Focus Booster a try? Let me know what you think!
You convinced me to give Focus Booster a try. I need something like that to keep me off Twitter and Facebook so much! As well as watching my time in email land. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhere has this thing been all my internet life? I just downloaded it, and in a very short time (after moving on to do other things) realized how very easy it is to fritter time away on email and the internet. In other words, time goes much faster than I had realized. It will be interesting to see if I can optimize my too short time on my multiple projects. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI know, isn't it amazing how the time flies without some way of tracking it???
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple tool, but oh-so valuable!
Hey CJ if you really want a tough time try Dr Wicked's Write or Die. I have used it several times to push for word counts. Around here I started out this morning around 7:45 after I finished checking on a tax return. I decided I was tired of my forward motion going somewhere but knowing the back of it is in need of serious work. I have a lot of ideas racing around to improve it and decided since it was quiet and nobody was up but me, due to a hacking drainage cough a result of meds to treat a severe case of laryngitis. I couldn't sleep so I figured I would give it up and get up. I added almost 600 new words fixing things and then I lost it. I was so frustrated. Now it is way too noisy with a toddler that hasn't had enough sleep screaming a mom that is stressed dealing with her, and her 20 month old brother crying. I got some Robitussin(generic) I am going to try to rest for a bit I fixed some and added around 200 plus words again. I had such a great scene this morning and I hated losing it.
ReplyDeleteHope you all feel better fast, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteCJ
I think I'll try it. I lose too much time doing that aimless net walking thing each day. Thanks!
ReplyDelete