Visual Timers
A simple tool that makes timeboxing feel tangible. Here's why I like mine.
I'm using a visual timer right now as I write this post. (20 minutes, go!)
It's a Haishi timer. Nothing fancy, you twist the dial to your desired time, and a colored wedge shrinks as the minutes count down.
Having a physical thing on my desk that I can glance at without picking up my phone has been surprisingly effective. Something about watching that wedge shrink keeps me honest. Bonus if you're someone who likes racing a clock. It turns "I should probably focus" into a little game. (and if you know me, you know I love games!)
There are tons of ways to do this without getting a new timer. Your phone, a kitchen timer, YouTube videos with timed work/break sequences, even focus apps that gamify the experience where you lose if you touch your phone during a focus period.
I'm a proponent of "Deep Work". Even a short block of focused, intentional time can produce outsized results compared to a longer stretch of scattered attention. You don't need to block off four hours. Twenty minutes of real focus goes a long way.
There are lots of ways to manage your time and attention. I'm just having fun with this one. If you haven't explored this space of tools, might be worth a look.