What kind of tasks can you do in one minute?
Is there anything you can do in that short space of time?
Not everything can be done in one minute but simple little steps you make in sixty seconds can help you get things done.
If you are baking and once the cake or muffins are in the oven then wash up the bowl and tools you used. This can be done quickly now rather than letting the batter dry out and stick to the bowl where you will need to spend longer soaking it and scrubbing.
Sometimes it may not be the entire project or task itself that can be achieved in one minute but by spending that time on one step of the project it can end up saving you time and energy to get the whole thing done.
Doing your financial accounts for taxes takes longer of course but spending one minute gathering your paperwork and things you need to complete it e.g. calculator pen and paper speeds things up.
Cooking dinner is made easier when you spend the short time gathering the food and items and tools you need for easy access on your counter or table. Therefore, you save time and don’t have to run around looking for every little thing.
What can you do in sixty seconds?
Some simple things you can do right now that take a minute.
- Take a nice long and slow deep breath in and slowly out.
- Change your phone screen to something that makes you smile and feel happy.
- Write down three things that you are grateful for right now.
- Text a friend or family member as you are thinking of them.
- Stretch your body.
- Go outside or open the window and breathe in some fresh air.
Looking around the room you are in right now. You can probably see a few things that you can quickly tidy up.
- Dirty laundry on the floor or chair.
- An unmade bed.
- Dishes in the sink.
- Cups on the table .
- Bin needs emptying.
Don't think about the task, just do it
Ask yourself how long would it take me to put it away right now?
When you come home from work you are exhausted but relieved. For that reason you take off your coat and drop your bag down and remove your shoes.
You are just glad to be home. Now you have left your things lying around the place.
Would it have taken longer than a minute to put away your things properly?
If the answer is no then why not try it out tomorrow. With that in mind, challenge yourself to walk in through the door and put everything where they should be. For example coat hung up, shoes placed in the shoe rack and the bag down where you need it.
If that makes you feel less stressed then that is a huge positive win.
While you are waiting for the coffee to go through the machine can you change the tea towels or wipe the counter?
Thinking about your everyday routine: what areas can be done or baby steps made?
Life admin: gathering your paperwork or sorting your post.
Check your calendar or weekly planner and stay on top of appointments and events.
Taking that moment to acknowledge the good and positive in your life. Feeling gratitude for things and enjoying that.
Can the one minute rule be used at work?
Yes, of course there are one minute tasks. There are probably a lot of little things that could be done in sixty seconds.
Reply to that email or make that quick call to tick them off the list. As a result of this you feel that boost of productivity as you cross off things from your list and this motivate you to complete the next task which could be more time intensive.
No more interruptions or distractions. With this in mind you are on a productivity wave and ride it now.
If you are sitting for long periods of time at work in front of a computer screen, why not incorporate one minute mini breaks to do something for your body and mind.
Stretch your body.
Look away from the screen and focus on something in the distance and look at it. Exercise your eyes and give them a rest.
Fill your water bottle or keep yourself hydrated.
We all have lists of tasks that have to be done and some things are not fun. Sometimes we talk ourselves out of doing it because it will take too long.
However what if that is not the case? Instead of thinking about something why not just do it. In the end you may find certain tasks take less time than you realised.
Challenge yourself with one minute tasks
Want to find out what is possible? why not set your timer and see how much you can achieve in those sixty seconds.
Declutter your home and look at each room and what can be done in that room within the time frame.
In the meantime you can focus on getting the task done and moving on.
What better way of boosting your mood and feeling energized than getting things done.
Actually crossing things off your to do list and noticing you are smiling about it.
The kind of positive feeling we could all do with some days.
Here is a list of some one minute tasks
- Air out your bed
- Make your bed
- Put dirty laundry into the hamper
- Start a load of clothes in the washer
- Switch laundry to dryer
- Put away clean clothes
- Put away your shoes
- Hang up your coat
- Unpack groceries
- Clean out your bag or purse
- Sort through the day’s mail
- Check planner or diary
- Replace the toilet paper
- Wipe down bathroom sink
- Clean toilet
- Hang towel after shower
- Change towels
- Spray shower with daily shower spray
- Load the dishwasher
- Wipe off the table
- Empty trash can
- Water your plants
- Close a drawer or cupboard door
- Sweep the porch or hall
- Fluff the pillow on the couch
- Fold blankets in living room
- Straighten coffee table
- Clear a kitchen counter
- Put away something in the other room
- Throw out old food from the fridge
- Wipe down a shelf in the fridge
- Clean up a spill when it happens
- Dust your tv screen
- Dust the cobwebs
- Clean a mirror
- Replace a burned-out light bulb
- Clean the stovetop
- Clean sink
- Light some candles
- Sweep the kitchen
- Wash a pot as soon as you’re done using it
- Open windows to air room
- Close curtains in the evening
The list could go on and on these are just some ideas.
