If it takes less than a minute to do, why not do it now? That’s the basic premise of the one-minute rule created by the author of The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin. Rubin says there are many worthwhile benefits to the one-minute rule including a boost in happiness and peace of mind. Here are a few reasons you may want to switch up your mindset.
It Puts You On The Fast Track To Success.
When you’re tidier, you’re more organized. When you’re more organized, there’s no doubt you tend to be more successful in life and business. If success is your ultimate goal (which we assume it is), there’s no need to worry about the little things, because they will already be accounted for once you implement the one-minute rule. It leaves you with extra time to focus on those important tasks that will boost your business and give you the results you deserve.
It Minimizes Opportunity For Procrastination.
Doing it, not only today, but right now, will stop you from procrastinating. It might not be the cure-all you’re seeking, but it can certainly change the way you view your workload and get through your workday. Excuses are easy to find, so why not challenge yourself to get up out of your chair and do a few small tasks? Five minutes – five or more tasks. 10 minutes – 10 or more tasks. And so on. The reality is you have nothing to lose.
It Gives You A Sense of Satisfaction Every Day.
When you think of the things that can take you less than a minute to accomplish every day, it can add up extremely quickly. That’s a lot of little tasks that are well-worth a nod of accomplishment despite their seeming insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Over a span of a week, or even a month, those mini-moments of satisfaction can leave you feeling pretty accomplished every day. Even when you’re having a bad day, you owe it to yourself to acknowledge your efforts, no matter how small.
It Takes Less Time In the Long Run.
What happens if you don’t instantly respond to that important email that lands in your inbox? Or the next one? Or even the next one? Before you know it, you have a mountain of emails filling you with dread. You then keep deciding to put it off because it’ll move your focus away from more time-critical tasks. However, it can take a great deal of mental energy to continuously think about avoiding something. Then, of course, you have to add emails to your to-do list and find a specific stretch of time to get through them Responding to those emails upon receipt would have been much more straightforward.
It Means You’re Less Overwhelmed During Busy Periods.
If you’re anything like me, you hardly have enough time to think on busy days. But if you can feel confident that all the little things are already done and out of the way, you can reduce your stress and minimize your workload. It also makes it simpler to tackle your tasks with a cool head so you can avoid making mistakes or missing essential facts.
It Reduces The Number Of Things You Need To Prioritize.
Prioritizing can be difficult, especially when the list is long. So it makes sense that when your to-do list is shorter, prioritizing becomes a much simpler task. Your list should contain things that are going to propel your efforts forward, not just be a spot to add mindless tasks. When you come into the office first thing in the morning, you can begin the day with tasks that will make a difference for you and your company.
Being Organized Is Contagious.
Do a task which takes less than a minute and watch to see how that one small act can propel you on to the next small task. The physical act of motion will naturally give you the incentive and motivation to follow it with another small task. And then another. And then another. Soon those invoices will be paid, the coffee cups washed, and you’ll be ready to embrace the larger challenges that come your way.
You’re Making Executive Decisions On The Fly.
One of the best things that can occur from this whole practice is the fact that you are seemingly making executive decisions without even realizing it. You’re getting on with things and minimizing the need to second guess everything. There’s no unnecessary thoughtful contemplation or deliberation. The only thing you’re focused on is getting it done because you have the sixty seconds to spare.
It’s incredible to see that just by introducing one tiny habit into your life, you can make immense changes. I challenge you to try the one-minute rule for yourself. This simple strategy can really change the way you handle productivity and procrastination.