It's my dusty but trusty

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My timer, as you can see, has stood the test of time, may not shine but it sure does deliver, and shows its age but not its wear.

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I've got three of these timers, one permanently in my bedroom and another stationed in my office.

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Certainly, I utilize various other timers, alarms, and pop-up reminders on my computer and occasionally on my phone. However, these particular timers serve as my fundamental tools.

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I'm using one right now

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One of my "addictions" that I need to moderate is the immediate satisfaction I get by sharing with you (dear reader) through a new link on this site about one of the insights of how to live the good life. I often indulge myself the juiciness of jumping right into working on a new link the first thing in the morning. It's 2:26 am here in DaNang, Vietnam right now (my standard wake-up time is 2:00 am).

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I'm aware that if I don't consciously set a time limit while working on a new link, other vital and enjoyable morning activities might be neglected before my client calls begin, usually around 5:00 am. Hence, as I began this link, I set a timer for 15 minutes. Currently, I have just one minute and 33 seconds remaining. Once it beeps, I'll take it as my cue to pause and move on to another task for the morning, returning to complete this later.

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Spreading out the fun and satisfaction

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Okay, I just finished some other satisfying planning processes for leisurely purring through my day. And I'm back to you and writing this link. Let me share several others ways I use my handy timers.

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Since working on this site provides exceptional satisfaction for both Dwight Now, Next, Oneself, and Others, not only does the 15-timer technique help ensure that I get other important things done in a timely fashion, especially in the mornings, but it also gives me more bang-for-the-buck by dipping into my honey pot not just once, but several times until the link is (usually) finished in the same day.

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Round Robin 15-15

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Sometimes, when my Dwight-Now and Dwight-Next are trying to find a way where they can both be happy, I made use of the Round Robin 15-15 technique. 

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Begin by setting the timer for fifteen minutes. This is Dwight-Next's time (though Dwight-Now could have started first). During these fifteen minutes, he focuses on what he deems most crucial for the future (the time can vary, like 5-5, 10-10, or even 10-5 minutes). Dwight-Next feels satisfied because he's addressing what he believes is essential for his future well-being. Meanwhile, Dwight-Now is content too, waiting patiently (and eagerly) for his turn. He knows the timer’s beep will ensure Dwight-Next keeps his promise and makes way for his turn.

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When the timer goes off, a quick triple-press of the start/stop button halts it, resets it to 15 minutes, and initiates a new countdown. At this point, Dwight-Next steps back, allowing Dwight-Now to guiltlessly engage in his preferred activities, bringing joy to all aspects of Dwight's life. This includes Dwight-Next too, as he is reassured that once the timer beeps again, it will be his opportunity to resume focusing on what he deems crucial for Dwight's future.

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And repeat until, for whatever reasons, the Round Robin is 15-15 no longer appropriate or needed.

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"Call me at 2:30 pm, okay?"

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At 10:29 am, I receive a text from a client requesting a call at 2:30 pm. While I could set a pop-up reminder on my computer, there's a chance I won't be near it to see the alert. That's where my timer comes in handy – I know I'll hear it anywhere in my apartment. So, I set it for a 4-hour countdown and hit start. This frees my mind, as I've effectively 'delegated' the task of remembering to my reliable timer.

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Counting up

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When the timer is set to zero, pressing the start button initiates an upward count. This feature is useful when I want to maintain a general awareness of the time spent on a task. With the timer quietly ticking upwards, a quick glance at it shows me the hours and minutes I've dedicated to my current activity so far.

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Bedroom peace

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I make it a habit to take at least one nap almost every day. The maximum duration available for my nap depends on various factors, including the timing of my next scheduled client session. Based on what I feel will be most restorative, I set my timer for varying lengths – it could be 51 minutes, 41 minutes, 33 minutes, or sometimes even as brief as 11 minutes.

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Frequently, I find myself waking up from my nap before the timer goes off. The assurance that my reliable timer will alert me if needed allows me to relax and enjoy my nap without worry.

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My timer doubles as my morning alarm "clock," capable of being set for up to 9 hours and 39 minutes. Typically, I'm in bed by 5:30 pm, though sometimes as early as 4:30 pm, aiming to turn off the lights by 6:00 pm. My bedtime routine is on my Kindle, winding down as I read light action-thriller-adventure novels. For instance, I'm currently enjoying "Winter Territory," a book from the Jack Widow series.

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Here's an example. I settle into bed at 5:13 pm and, knowing that 2:00 am is 8 hours and 47 minutes away, I set my timer for this duration and place it at the edge of my bed for an assured wake-up at 2:00 am. As I begin reading, I occasionally glance at the time displayed on my Kindle screen to make sure I don’t extend reading much beyond 6:00 pm for 'lights out.' However, I often start feeling drowsy earlier than this. When that happens, I switch off my Kindle, activate the air conditioning if necessary to maintain a cool, comfortable sleep environment, and snuggle under my light blanket to drift off to sleep.

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Per diem cost calculation

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Given the everyday value of these timers, the per diem cost calculation might make the most bang-for-the-buck things that I have ever purchased in my life.

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Giving no specific recommendations, with a quick search, I found these on Amazon. Get them before Christmas. What a deal! Three hoots! (maybe it's time for me to do a trade-in)

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