I use the "Joseph-Joseph" timer shown in this picture to control how much time I spend writing this blog and doing volunteer work. A timer helps me budget my time. Without a timer, I'm likely to drastically "overspend" my time on these interests, leaving insufficient time for family, chores, and fun.
The timer creates trust. I set a budget: 30 minutes to write a blog about once per week, and 30 minutes almost daily on my new volunteer role. Then I have to be strict. When the "Joseph-Joseph" rings, I have to stop. No rewinding, no "just a few more minutes". Develop a consistent habit of stopping immediately.
When I'm consistent about this, week after week, lots of good things happen. Most important, I gain trust. My family starts to trust that I won't get carried away and forget about them. And I start to trust myself that I'll limit my time appropriately. Another benefit is that, when the clock is ticking, I'm extremely focused. I know that this is the only time I'm going to get to do this work so I'm fully engaged and efficient.
I wouldn't want to be a slave to a stopwatch on everything. Most things at home are free flowing, spending whatever time I feel like spending. But some activities matter to me and to nobody else in the house. These are the activities that need strict time management so that the time I spend on them is in synch with my priorities and values.
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