Originally a program for my 6th Form coursework, this interval timer aims to allow a CPU-scheduler-like approach to IRL multitasking, for when one feels like they want to do a bunch of different tasks at the same time.
Task blocks are intended to be allocated 3 - 6 minutes, with rest blocks (intended approx 30s) inbetween to allow oneself to switch to the new task. This hopefully allows one to better predict how long a specific task would take, and/or be completing another task while subconsiously solving a hurdle encountered in the previous task or plan exactly what next steps need to be performed.
For the past 7+ days, I've been using the interval timer with the above program. The time it takes to actually do a task is 6 times longer than estimations, but conveniently it's rather accurate when taken into account. Thus, each red block can be thought of as 1 "mental-time" minute. So if something took 48 minutes to do, I'd think that was outrageous. However, if I say to myself that it took 8 minutes, I'd think "Yes. Of course. That's to be expected."
The yellow blocks are for transitions. The first of these blocks can be used as a warmup (because that's what its for) but it can also be a timer to start the next set of blocks after having a break. For me, it seems that I can only get my break down to 30 minutes if I've prepared in advanced, and lunch breaks usually are 60 - 90 minutes.
The purple blocks are for brain-off time. You may have heard the phrase "the mind is a muscle"? This is the rest period for such muscle. Things I've done in this time:
The main thing to do is sleep
Whilst doing so, imagne that you've actually been sleeping the entire time and all the work has been done "real-time" mentally.
The goal is to finish the entire set and think that you've just been asleep for [loop amount] number of minutes, but the stuff you needed has been done by your clone / *mental-reality character in that time.
*like "virtual reality", but powered by imagination not a GPU.
Look at something whilst slowly panning the head for 16K 480fps XDR B-Roll stock footage
Or move kind of slowly, as if you're in stock footage merged with the b-roll footage.
Example of b-roll, where the camera slowly pans to the right:
Example of person in with the b-roll, where they're slightly nodding their head in slowmo:
Get up, stretch, push ups
Evaluate progress, think about the next tasks to do or decide if you've spent too many block loops on a task.
This entire thing is like a micro Poromodo Technique, it's just that I didn't have the stamina nor time awareness for 25 or 50 minute long work sessions before a break.
Time is bundled into more managable chunks, as 60 seconds is quite short once getting into the flow. Coincidentally, each loop is 7.5 minutes long, so it means 8 loops = 1 hour. It's kinda similar to the Nether dimension in Minecraft, where 8 blocks in the Overworld = 1 block in the Nether.
Lastly, this solution abstracts time. You know about in-game currency and the psychology behind it? Similar idea here, further enhanced by my #TrueTent [gd0143] project that aims to make a temporary work area with artificial daylight to have a time-invariant seeming space.
The interval timer is great. I used it almost every week when I want to plan how long I want to be doing a task, or switching between a task and rest. Especially, working at home when you can easily get drowned in work, you can use the interval timer as a guide to say when you are resting. The interval timer is easy to install and use. The user interface is very friendly. I would like it as an app in the future and the volume between the timer needs to be higher. There is nothing else like this so a good project to develop. Thanks Kelvin for building this!
The interval timer is great. I used it almost every week when I want to plan how long I want to be doing a task, or switching between a task and rest. Especially, working at home when you can easily get drowned in work, you can use the interval timer as a guide to say when you are resting. The interval timer is easy to install and use. The user interface is very friendly. I would like it as an app in the future and the volume between the timer needs to be higher. There is nothing else like this so a good project to develop. Thanks Kelvin for building this!