Guide · 9 lessons
Learn: focus, pacing and countdowns
Nine short guides on using time well: how to focus, how to pace a lesson or a workout, and why counting down to a day feels good. Each guide explains the idea, says what the research does and doesn't show, and ends with a timer that is already set up so you can try it straight away.
Short guides to time-blocking, focus sessions and classroom pacing, each with its sources.
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Start learningModule 1 Deep work and focus
Pomodoro, time-blocking and the 5-minute rule: getting started and staying on one task.
- The Pomodoro Technique: what the 25 minutes really are 25 minutes is Francesco Cirillo's convention, not a law of the brain. Here is what the method gets right and how to adjust it.
- Time-blocking for remote workers: plan your day in blocks Give every hour a job, keep the jobs apart and leave room for surprises. A practical way to plan a day at home.
- Beating procrastination with the 5-minute rule Procrastination is mostly about avoiding a bad feeling. Committing to just five minutes makes starting feel small enough to do.
Module 2 Classroom and pacing
Smooth transitions, a calmer room and safe interval workouts.
- Managing classroom transitions with visual timers Transitions eat lesson time. Advance warnings plus a timer everyone can see make them shorter and calmer.
- Controlling classroom noise levels without shouting Noise affects how well pupils hear and learn. A visible noise meter helps a class regulate itself, as long as you use it as feedback and not as punishment.
- Interval training and HIIT pacing explained 20 seconds on, 10 off comes from one 1996 study with trained athletes. Here is what that means for your own workouts.
Module 3 Rituals and countdowns
Why we count down to big days, a calm breathing routine and how chess clocks share time fairly.
- The psychology of holiday countdowns Looking forward to something is a pleasure of its own. Research suggests anticipation can matter as much as the day itself.
- Box breathing for stress relief: a step-by-step guide Box breathing is simple and calming for many people. A 2023 study suggests a longer out-breath may help even more.
- Chess clock strategy and time controls Time is part of the game. Learn how time controls are classified, how increment works and how to avoid losing on time.