We’ve all been there, and there’s a good chance you’re there right now. You have a ton of things that you have to get done, and you don’t know what to do first. You might even have one specific project or task that you have to get done ASAP. Either way, whether it’s cleaning the house, doing a work project, or even just organizing your desk, you need to get started now. You know these things need to get done, but somehow, you can’t bring yourself to start. The more you think about it, the more overwhelming it seems. So, instead of tackling them, you end up doing…well, anything but those tasks. In fact, entire days might go by where you don’t end up accomplishing anything.
If this sounds familiar, let me share a simple trick that can help: Set a timer for 15 minutes and just start.
Why 15 Minutes?
Fifteen minutes is a short, manageable amount of time. It’s not so long that it feels daunting, but it’s long enough to make real progress. The beauty of this method is that it gets you started, which is often the hardest part.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, the idea of working on a task for hours can be paralyzing. But 15 minutes? You can handle that. It’s small enough that you can convince yourself to do it, even if you really don’t want to.
If you think about it, no matter what the task is, you can do it for just 15 minutes, right?
Getting Started is the Hardest Part
The truth is, once you get started, you’ll often find that the task isn’t as bad as you thought. The momentum of doing something, anything, usually does more than you’ll expect it to. You might even find yourself continuing past the 15 minutes because now that you’re in the flow, it’s easier to keep going.
But here’s the thing: Even if you don’t continue beyond those 15 minutes, you’ve still accomplished something. You’ve chipped away at the task, making it less overwhelming, and you’re closer to being done than you were before.
Which Task to Choose First
If you have a lot of things on your to-do list, you may be overwhelmed on which task to do first. How do you decide? First go through and see if there is anything that’s time dependent. If you need to have it done soon, then start with that task. Otherwise, just pick a task. The truth is it really doesn’t matter which task you do. The goal is to get started. Get out of being paralyzed, and do something…anything.
Just by starting to work on a task for 15 minutes, you’ll be moving along and getting things done, and it’ll be easier to do the next task as well.
How to Use the 15-Minute Rule
Here’s how you can put this strategy into action:
1. Choose a Task: Pick something you’ve been putting off. It could be big or small – it doesn’t matter. The key is that it’s something you need to do but haven’t started yet.
2. Set a Timer: Grab your phone, kitchen timer, or any timer you have, and set it for 15 minutes.
3. Work Without Distractions: During those 15 minutes, focus solely on that task. No checking your phone, no distractions – just work on what you’ve set out to do.
4. Decide What’s Next: When the timer goes off, you have two options. If you’re feeling good and want to keep going, go for it! If not, congratulate yourself on the progress you’ve made and take a break. You’ve already moved the needle, and that’s what counts.
The Power of Small Wins
The beauty of the 15-minute rule is that it creates small wins. These small wins build momentum and make you feel accomplished. Over time, these small efforts add up to big results. You’ll find that tasks you once dreaded are getting done, and that overwhelming feeling starts to fade.
Next time you’re faced with something you don’t want to do, remember this simple trick. Set a timer, commit to 15 minutes, and see what happens. You might just surprise yourself with how much you can accomplish in such a short time.
And who knows? That 15 minutes might be all you need to kickstart your productivity and get things done.
Enjoy,
