How I Use Clocks Differently for Deep Work vs. Light Work
I track time differently depending on the kind of work I'm doing. Here's how I've broken it down and what tools I use for each. Deep Work: Pomodoro + No Clocks For focused writing, coding, or analysis, I hide all clocks. I use a 25-minute timer (standard Pomodoro), set it, then ignore time completely until it goes off. The irony of time management: for the work that matters most, you want to stop…
People track their time in varying ways, based on the nature of their tasks. For focused work like writing or coding, the individual hides all clocks and uses a 25-minute Pomodoro timer, completely ignoring the time until it goes off. This technique is designed to prevent procrastination, as checking the time becomes a distraction. A recommended tool for this is the Pomofocus browser timer, which starts immediately without any installation.
In contrast, for light work such as email, browsing, or administrative duties, the person keeps time visible. This ambient awareness of time helps to avoid over-investing in tasks that don't truly require it. The new tab page displays local time along with world clocks for the time zones involved in their work. The Weather & Clock Dashboard is always visible when a new tab is opened, serving as a gentle reminder to wrap up work when the time approaches 4:45 PM or 8 AM in different time zones.
Before any meeting involving participants from different time zones, the individual first checks the world clock displayed on their new tab. This ensures they have the correct time for the other party. Only after confirming the time do they look at their calendar for the meeting details. This routine has helped to avoid miscalculations, especially during periods of daylight saving time changes when the US and EU switch their clocks at different times.
At the end of the day, the person employs the "Shutdown Ritual," a concept from Cal Newport's book Deep Work. This involves closing a specific browser container, where all work tools are stored. When this container is closed, the person considers the work day finished and does not reopen the container until the next day. The world clocks that were visible throughout the day lose their relevance, as the individual's focus is no longer on collaborating across time zones.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
