About Cliq - A Simple Tool for Mastering Time Management
Why I'm Creating the Cliq Timer
Hi, I’m James, and I’ve struggled with time perception for as long as I can remember. As someone with ADHD, I know firsthand how frustrating it is to constantly lose track of time, miss deadlines, and feel like you’re always playing catch-up. I've tried using phone alarms, apps, and even traditional timers, but nothing has stuck—I need something that's always with me and is not distracting.
I need something simple, intuitive, and non-disruptive—a tool that will help me stay on track without pulling me out of the moment. That’s why I'm creating Cliq. It’s designed to work with your brain, not against it, helping you build a better sense of time without adding more clutter to your life. If you’ve ever struggled with time blindness or just need an easy way to stay on task, I'm making this for you. You can read more about my journey and why I created Cliq Timer here.
The Problem with Time Perception
Many people, especially those with ADHD, struggle with time blindness—the inability to accurately perceive and estimate time. This can lead to:
- Missed deadlines
- Procrastination
- Difficulty starting and finishing tasks
Most productivity tools rely on external reminders (smartphones, alarms), keeping users dependent on outside cues rather than improving their own time awareness. Cliq helps bridge this gap by providing a simple, visual countdown that integrates seamlessly into daily routines.
What is Cliq?
- A quarter-sized, keychain-equipped interval timer designed for ease of use and accessibility.
- Single-button operation allows users to set a timer in 5-minute intervals, up to an hour. Potentially, a user may be able to switch the time interval setting from either 15-second, 1-minute, or 5-minute (still deciding if this will be a useful feature or make it too complicated).
- 12-LED light countdown system provides a clear, at-a-glance visualization of remaining time without requiring a screen - lights turn off as the time passes.
- A gentle alert signals when time is up (vibration, sound, or light—depending on user preference)
- No screens, no distractions, no complex settings—just a seamless way to track time.
The Science Behind It
Time Perception & Executive Function
- Research shows that ADHD impairs internal timekeeping, making it difficult to judge how long tasks take (Barkley, Murphy, & Fischer, 2008).
- The visual countdown serves as an externalized working memory aid, reducing reliance on faulty internal time estimates.
- Dr. Russell Barkley (2010) suggests that individuals with ADHD benefit from external structure to compensate for executive dysfunction.
- Parkinson’s Law: "Work expands to fill the time available." A structured countdown encourages efficiency by imposing natural constraints.
How Habitual Use Can Rewire the Brain (Neuroplasticity 🧠)
- The brain adapts to repeated exposure to time-tracking cues. Over time, habitual use of the timer can improve internal time estimation.
- Studies on time-training interventions (Taatgen, van Rijn, & Anderson, 2007) suggest that individuals can learn to sense time more accurately through repeated exposure to external cues.
- Hebbian learning principle: "Neurons that fire together, wire together"—in other words, each time an action is performed, the neural pathways involved in that action become reinforced. Over time, repeating the action will become more intuitive.
- Long-term benefit: Eventually, reliance on external timers may decrease as the brain develops an improved intrinsic sense of time.
- The Cliq timer will be uniquely suited for this rewiring process due to it's intuitive interface and portability. Using it will feel much more seamless than a phone timer, and it can be with you whenever you might want to use it.
Who Can Benefit from Cliq?
- People with ADHD & Executive Function Challenges (External structure improves time awareness.)
- Students (Timed study sessions, test-taking, focus intervals.)
- Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts (Workout timing, holding positions, HIIT, rest intervals.)
- Professionals & Creatives (Time-blocking, deep work, Pomodoro Technique.)
- Parents & Caregivers (Limiting screen time, morning/evening routines.)
- Anyone who wants a simple productivity tool!
Alternative Uses of Cliq
Beyond ADHD – Unique Use Cases
- 🧐 Distraction-Free Timing: Set a timer in your pocket without even looking, get discreet alerts (vibration mode).
- 🍽️ Cooking & Meal Prep: Quick reminders without using a phone.
- 🩺 Medical Professionals: Quickly timing vital sign checks (15 second mode) or short medical assessments. Useful for EMT, EMS, paramedics, nurses, doctors.
- 🎙️ Public Speaking & Presentations: Subtle timing to stay on track.
- 🏡 Parenting & Household Routines: Keeping kids on task with chores or routines.
- ✨ Mindfulness & Meditation: A quiet, visual way to track session lengths.
Why Simplicity Wins
- Overcomplicated solutions often lead to abandonment.
- Tools designed for ADHD must reduce friction to be effective.
- "The best tool is the one you actually use."
- Research shows that minimalism in design reduces cognitive load and increases usability (Norman, 2013).
The Bigger Goal: Becoming Less Reliant Over Time
- Unlike other tools, one goal of Cliq is to make you less dependent on it over time.
- Habitual use fosters time awareness and improves intrinsic timekeeping skills.
- Just like training wheels help a child learn balance, Cliq helps develop an intuitive sense of time—so you eventually won’t need it as much.
- By forming neuroplastic connections, you can go from relying on external timers to having an internalized clock that helps you judge time accurately
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