yaTimer Main Screen

I periodically return to the subject of time management on this blog because I myself find it such a challenge.  I dream that some software solution or time-management system will come along that solves my problem of too many conflicting projects, all demanding my time on a daily basis.  So I always keep my eye open for “the next best solution.”  All day Saturday Bits du Jour will be offering a discount on a software timer I’ve never encountered before:  yaTimer.

I like this one.  I’ve downloaded it and will test it out during the day.  There’s a good chance I’ll buy it to take advantage of the discount from $39 to $19, especially since I’ve returned to Manila energized to finally get back on top of my various projects.

What appeals to me, at first glance?  First, it’s strong graphic interface.  This timer is not some little discreet box that hides away somewhere on screen to be easily forgotten.  I’ve learned from other similar programs that I work more efficiently and get much more done when I have all of my day’s tasks staring me straight in the eye.  In this program, the big numerals reporting time spent make it very clear just where the day’s time is going.  It delivers the kick-in-the-pants motivation that I truly need.  With my recently putchased 22-inch monitor, I can keep the timer and my project work space visible simultaneously.

Secondly, one can handle multiple tasks very conveniently.  I need that, as I’m always multi-tasking.  This software lays out some buttons that make it easy to shift from one project to another.  Other timers I’ve tested do this too, but this one seems easier to handle.  I’ll know if that’s true by the end of the day.

Third, tasks can be carried over from day to day.  And the program accumulates data about total time spent for easy review and reporting.  It’s also easy to add little notations about what aspect of a project I’m actually working on, as the time passes.

Fourth, the single user license allows installation on up to three computers.  I LOVE THAT!  I can install it on my desktops in the Philippines and Mexico, as well as on my laptop!  Increasingly, I’m evaluating programs on the generosity of their license.  Too much software is so restrictive in how it can be utilized that I turn away from it, no matter how appealing it might be.

Free-lancers may find this program especially useful when it comes time for billing.  It offers a capable reporting facility.

But enough…   If you also struggle with time allocation, take a look at the Bits du Jour discount offer.  And also take a look at the software’s home page.  And finally look at the eye-popping screenshots — that’s what propelled me into downloading the program for a test-run and to write this quick notice.

SIXTEEN HOURS LATER:  I’ve now had time to play around with this software.  IT’S A KEEPER, well worth it’s cost.

Here are some of the additional features that really appeal to me.

Tasks can be eiasily associated with larger Projects and with individual clients.

Tasks can be arranged on-screen in a top-to-bottom list as you wish, perhaps by priority, or maybe by the sequence in which you wish to deal with them.

Your tasks can be on a cumulative timer — or on a COUNTDOWN timer, which is convenient especially to sehcule rest breaks during the day.

I do not recall seeing any other timer software with this much power.  Of course, there are free ones, useful but limited.  This is one on the expensive side, but for me it’s worth it.  For other options, check the “Finding Time” chapter in our table of contents.

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The system works rather the same way old-fashioned writers work:  written lists and lots of jumping from task to task.  At least that’s the way my writer’s mind works.

The system is fully described at Forster’s blog.  I suspect that a community will coalesce around this blog to discuss and refine the system, share insights and such.  Forester gathered a private group to do a test run of the system.  Here’s the report from one of them:

Here is what I have found so far, in my first week of using AF. 1) It’s so easy to use that I don’t have to worry about being too invested. I didn’t have to buy software or change any major habits. 2) I’m feeling much more “laid back” about my work as I’m doing it. Perhaps it’s because I’m not forcing myself to do things, and I’m allowing myself to do things partially and then come back to them later. 3) I know what to put on the list and what I need to do when I look at it; it is making me trust myself more. And no, I don’t have a million undone projects lying about. 4) When I do my other, scheduled, non-AF work, I am also more “laid back” because I am not worrying as much about all the stuff I have to do – somehow I know that, yes, I do have a crushing number of tasks waiting for me, but once I turn my attention to them, they will be dealt with in an efficient and intuitive manner. 5) I’m no longer watching the clock all the time. I was in the habit of using my kitchen timer a lot and this week I haven’t needed it. I enjoyed using the timer but I must confess that I feel FREE now; work doesn’t feel as much like “Work” and I’m in a flow state more of the time. And oh, did I mention that I have gotten a huge amount done and unsnagged some very important projects these past few days? Thanks very much, Mark!

POST SCRIPT:  Forster’s blog also led me to a remarkable list of 100 websites about productivity and organization.  Some of you may wish to bookmark this one.

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Are you like me at this time of year?  Do you drift into a reflective mood, thinking back over the past year and beginning to noddle around with ideas for the coming year?  If so, here are some ideas and tools for goal setting and time management.

I’ve stumbled onto an interlinked bundle of websites and computer programs put together by Brian Isaac.  I was pulled into one of his sites that offers a free time management tool that hooks directly into Microsoft Outlook:  TaskBlaze.  But more about that later…

I followed Brian’s trail of links on to his goal setting website, which offers an interesting software called Achieve-IT.  This site is one of those hard-sell pages that tries to entice you into an immediate purchase.  While such pages often irritate me, I still find them fascinating — and frequently I read through the formulaic copy to see just what I can learn.  Brian’s site, for example, offers an 18-minute demo video about some of the features of his software package.  If you are reflecting about your future goals right now, then I really recommend that you look at the video.  It won’t cost you a thing, and Brian presents a slant on goal setting that I found invigorating.  He encourages you to brainstorm your goals for the next year.  Next do the same for your goals over the next five years.  Then 10 years.  And finally what goals you want to accomplish over your lifetime.  I’ve never myself really looked beyond a five-year time frame.  Looking farther out can be a provocative exercise; it can clarify a lot about just who you are and what your real ultimate values are.  Just watching the video stirs ideas — and at $39.95, the program may be worth a purchase.

Now back to Brian’s TaskBlaze software that helps one track the time you put into your various tasks.  I’ve written a number of posts about time tracking tools.  This one is particularly ingenious because it reports your time use directly into Microsoft Outlook.  If you are an Outlook user, this software deserves a look.

There seem to be two different versions, free and pro.  So far, I haven’t been able to discover how they differ — and since I don’t use Outlook, I can’t really evaluate them.  I suspect Brian does not update the free version, but does so with the Pro version.  If you do use Outlook yourself, you can find the free version of TaskBlaze here.   The Pro version can be found, along with Brian’s informative sales pitch, at the software’s dedicated website TaskBlaze.  Right at the moment, the Pro version is available at a discounted price of $19.

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