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The One Minute Rule + 40 Tasks in One Minute or Less

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

If you find yourself frustrated because your house is a mess and you can’t ever catch up, this idea will be life changing. The one minute rule is so simple it will blow your mind. In fact, it’s the perfect solution for those of you who struggle with procrastination.

The One Minute Rule for Effective Homemaking + 40 Tasks in Less One Minute Printable Cheat Sheet @ AVirtuousWoman.org

It’s 3:30 in the afternoon and you just walked in the door with your kids from school. You step over the shoes and backpacks piled by the door where the kids unloaded and took off to their rooms. You toss the mail on the kitchen counter and look around at the stack of magazines on the dining room table you forgot to recycle and you exhale, trying to release the tension in your neck.

The kids go running through the house laughing and screaming and rush passed you back out the door to go play in the yard. You start to yell at them to come move their stuff on the floor but somehow it seems easier to just enjoy the quiet for a few minutes.

It’s almost time to start supper, and you have a little time to get something done. You want to be productive. The house is cluttered but you know you need to get rid of the clutter but you don’t even know where to start.

I know exactly how it feels. This simple trick you’ll learn today may just well change your life. 

30 Days of Intentional Homemaking: Day 16

We’ve talked about self discipline and creating good habits. If you feel overwhelmed by your messy house, you probably struggle with procrastination.

I remember when I was a young wife and mother and in all honesty, I would have rather been doing anything other than cleaning the house. But, I had a bad habit of putting off tasks and chores until they absolutely had to be done because, well either we were out of clean dishes or out of clean laundry.

I didn’t understand how to be an effective homemaker.

This simple trick will help you get more done in less time and you won’t even feel like you were working.

related: How to Clean When You Feel Overwhelmed

The One Minute Rule

So here’s how it works.

If a task takes less than a minute to complete, go ahead and do it right now.

Here’s the thing. If you want a neat house, you can’t keep procrastinating housekeeping tasks. You have to cultivate some self discipline and the one minute rule is the perfect way to start working on that self discipline. The one minute rule tricks you into forgoing laziness in favor of just getting it done.

Think about it this way. There are so many housekeeping tasks that when done right away only take seconds. For instance, washing your batter bowl in the morning immediately after making muffins {while they are still in the oven} means that you can easily wash away the batter. You know why? Because it hasn’t turned into a crusty mess that will later require soaking, scrubbing, and extra elbow grease.

related: The House that Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark

No more procrastinating. 

The problem with procrastinating is this: we train ourselves to believe that a task is difficult and painful to complete. You know why? Because we put it off and make it more difficult and painful than it needs to be!!!

Look around your house right now. How much of the mess could have been prevented if you had just done the task immediately.

  • Dirty laundry on the floor.
  • An unmade bed.
  • Shoes piled by the door.
  • Breakfast dishes in the sink.
  • Half drunk coffee on the table.
  • Trash overflowing in the trash can.

Now, imagine what life would be like if you just stopped procrastinating and followed the one minute rule. When you notice a simple task that could be done in less than a minute, do it right then.

The One Minute Rule in Action

Here is a list of 40 things you can do in less than one minute… meaning you are practicing self discipline!

  1. rinse a dish
  2. put away your shoes
  3. hang up your coat
  4. sort through the days mail
  5. replace the toilet paper
  6. make your bed
  7. put your dirty laundry in the hamper
  8. start a load of clothes in the wash
  9. load the dishwasher
  10. wipe off the table
  11. water your plants
  12. empty a trash can
  13. wipe down the bathroom sink
  14. close a drawer or cupboard door
  15. sweep the porch
  16. fluff the pillows on the couch
  17. straighten the coffee table
  18. clear a kitchen counter
  19. put away something in the other room
  20. throw out old food from the fridge
  21. wipe down a shelf in the fridge
  22. wipe up a spill when it happens
  23. switch laundry into the dryer
  24. clean out your purse
  25. hang up your towel after showering
  26. dust your tv screen
  27. dust the cobwebs
  28. clean a mirror
  29. replace a burned out light bulb
  30. clean the stove top
  31. make the kitchen sink shine
  32. change out the bathroom towels
  33. check your planner
  34. clean a toilet
  35. put away clean clothes
  36. turn on your essential oil diffuser
  37. light some candles
  38. sweep the kitchen
  39. wash a pot as soon as you’re done cooking in it
  40. spray shower with daily shower spray

Free Printable Cheat Sheet

Free Printable: The One Minute Rule Cheat Sheet @ AVirtuousWoman.org

How to Download

  1. Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email with the link to download your free printable guide to becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman. You’ll also receive helpful emails and updates from me on a regular basis!
  2. Or, you can purchase this printable The One Minute Rule Cheat Sheet here for just $1.00.
  3. If you are already a subscriber, you can still fill out the form below to get the download – it won’t affect your subscription!
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About Melissa Ringstaff

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

You may also enjoy reading these posts:

Keep Clutter of Your Kitchen Counters @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Top 4 Ways Keep Your Kitchen Counters Clear | Banish Clutter for Good

Cultivating Good Habits and Self Discipline @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Don’t Wait for It to Feel Good | Cultivate Self Discipline at Home

Homemaking 101 | Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Homemaking 101 + Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker

How to Make Sourdough Starter from Scratch @ AVirtuousWoman.org

How to Make Sourdough Starter from Scratch | Easy Sourdough Starter

7 Tips for a Less Stressful Morning @ AVirtuousWoman.org

7 Tips for a Less Stressful Morning | + Free Printable Guide

3 Great Reasons to Hang Your Laundry on a Clothesline @ AVirtuousWoman.org

3 Great Reasons to Hang Your Laundry on a Clothesline

How to Look More Put Together with Stitch Fix @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Feeling Frumpy? How to Easily Look More Put Together

Laundry Hacks that Make Your Life Easier @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Laundry Hacks that Make Your Life Easier | 15 Laundry Tips

Getting Dressed as a Christian Homemaker @ AVirtuousWoman.org

8 Tips for How to Get Dressed for Your Day | Dressing as a Christian Homemaker

Tips for Becoming an Organized Mom @ AVirtuousWoman.org

10 Tips to Becoming an Organized Mom

Cozy Soup Recipes for Winter @ AVirtuousWoman.org

50+ of the Yummiest, Cozy Soup Recipes to Try This Winter

Sandwich Saturday Themed Dinner Ideas @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Sandwich Saturday | Easy Themed Dinner Ideas for Busy Moms

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

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Previous Post: «What to Clean and When | Proverbs 31 @ AVirtuousWoman.org What to Clean and When | Housekeeping Guide
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany

    August 14, 2018 at 1:05 am

    Thank you. I need easy reminders as I work full time and a family. Easy part I also have fibromyalgia and meniers and chronic fatigue syndrome Thanks
    Reply
  2. Jean Tate

    July 1, 2019 at 11:28 am

    this is for Tiffany - i too have fibromyalgia and also arthritis. I'm 76 and i don't know how you do it - being a working mum. Ii found the 1 minute list an eye opener. I don't have to do it all NOW. i can break it up into little chunks. (I think it's called pacing myself.) I do know what it's like to be so tired you can't be bothered to eat. Good luck and best wishes.
    Reply
  3. Janes Bond

    January 13, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    Thanks! God bless. Love u sister.
    Reply

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Hi There! My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I believe that being a Proverbs 31 Woman isn't about being perfect. Here at A Virtuous Woman you'll find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose.


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purposenotperfection

Freedom from perfection. 🪁
Live with purpose. ✝️
Proverbs 31 for modern women. 👱‍♀️
Wife + Mama + Homemaker + Kentucky
Life: @melissa.ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff
Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just Not gonna lie. 2020 was a hard year. And not just because there was a pandemic. Our family has faced many trying times in the past but 2020 gave us some doozies.  I’m looking forward to a new year. The beginning of the new year always feels like a fresh start to me. It feels like HOPE.  But the truth is, whatever heartaches and hardships you and I were facing on Dec. 31 will most likely still be there on Jan. 1.  That’s why it’s hard to keep New Years resolutions. It’s easy to feel motivated for a few days or a couple weeks until we realize life hasn’t really changed and things are still hard.  But if we want to see real change it takes hard work and real effort. It takes showing up every day - even when it’s hard.  Whether that means working on your fractured relationships or setting healthy boundaries or cultivating self disciple... whatever that hard thing is that you need to work on ... it will only get better if you work on it.  We aren’t promised an easy life. But we are promised an “Ever Present Help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1  *
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth#proverbs31women #proverbs31life #10virtues #daughteroftheking #jesuslovesme #womenoffaith #faithquotes #proverbs31
We’re coming into the new year with all the same We’re coming into the new year with all the same problems we had in the last year. And that’s okay! Life doesn’t have to be perfect to still be amazing. Perfectionism is a joy stealer. Let’s determine to enjoy life right now in all its messiness.  I believe you can find freedom from perfection and the confidence to live your life with purpose. #purposenotperfection  #christian #Jesus #love #quotes #quoteslife #quotestoliveby #godisgood #votd #lifequotes #inspirationalquotes #life #motivationalquotes #inspiration #bible #bb #bestoftheday #happiness #wordofgod
🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. 🏠 Being a homemaker is such an important role. It’s a ministry to your family and all who enter your home.  But I want you to know: You don’t have to be perfect. ❤️  There’s a fine line between teaching your children to be neat and insisting on perfection. No one can meet that kind of standard and it can be detrimental to the emotional health of your family.  What we want for our homes is to provide a space that is neat and clean enough that your family and friends feel comfortable and well loved.  There is freedom in accepting the fact that you’re not perfect. Not to make excuses for slovenliness - but to give yourself grace.  It’s when we recognize our weakness that we find ourselves reaching out to Jesus to receive the power that comes only from him. As homemakers, when we can find grace for the moment when we accept His Gift.  “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. Ezra 9:8  Let His Grace wash over you, cleanse your weary heart. Homemaking isn’t about creating a perfect space. It’s about creating a home where loved ones feel cared for and nurtured. 
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #wearethehomemakers
❤️Your attitude about homemaking matters.⠀
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A homemaker by definition is someone who manages and makes a home. 🏠⠀
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But, anyone can clean and organize a home. ⠀
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☑️ Homemaking is about more than checking off the items on your to do list.⠀
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Learning how to be a homemaker means you learn how to make your home feel like haven of peace and love. You seek out ways to make your home feel inviting. You work at it.⠀
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There is no easy button for homemaking. There are easier, more efficient ways to do chores, but the chores still have to be done. If you live in a house, you will create the need for the house to be tidied every day and cleaned on a regular basis.⠀
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Having the right attitude about homemaking is the first step in learning how to be a homemaker.⠀
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The good news is, even if you’ve been struggling with your homemaking, you can always go to God and ask Him for help. ⠀
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He sees the unseen work of your hands. And He loves you very, very much. He wants to help you succeed. ⠀
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking  #youngwife #housewife
🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regu 🙏 If you’ve found it difficult to have a regular time with Jesus every day, you’re not alone. Lots of busy Christian women struggle to find time for a daily prayer and devotion time. ⠀
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But I still want to encourage you to start your day with God! ⠀
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⏰ If it’s hard to spend 30 minutes in the morning for a quiet time, I want you to remember you can still begin your day with God – even if that means saying a short prayer before your feet hit the floor in the morning.⠀
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✝️ I also want to encourage you to memorize this verse:⠀
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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.⠀
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 📖⠀
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In the morning you can recite this verse and say a prayer. It doesn’t have to take a long time. Although – if you do have time – you will be greatly blessed by spending more time in prayer and devotion.⠀
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📌 Free Printable Morning Prayer Prompts on the blog today: https://avirtuouswoman.org/morning-prayer-prompts/  #linkinbio ⠀
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#faithblogger #faithfulness #faithandfamily #bibleverseaday #christianbloggers #dailyverses #christianlife #jesuscalling #shereadstruth #Christ #Church #Christian #Jesus #Jesuslover #JesusChrist #JesusisLord #CreatorGod #Devotional #verseoftheday #Love #Faith #biblestudy #God #dailydevotional
🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be inte 🏠 As a homemaker, one of my goals is to be intentional with how I plan our days. I love any opportunity to create a good memories at home for my family and guests. ⠀⠀
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📌 If you're looking to make this holiday season really special, you need to be intentional. Goodness knows 2020 has had a lot of ups and downs. And maybe you feel like it's been mostly downs. ⠀⠀
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🎄 But the holiday season is a chance to focus on celebrating the life we have right now. Things don't need to be perfect for us to celebrate life right now!!⠀⠀
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☑️ Inside the pages of my Purpose 31 holiday planner, you'll find 8 weeks of planning and cleaning all laid out for you. Recipe pages, journaling pages, and more - 120 pages total. ⠀⠀
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✏️ The Purpose 31 Holiday Planner is by far one of the most popular resource I produce each year. ⠀⠀
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Thousands of women have downloaded it over the last four years I've offered it.⠀⠀
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So, even though it's early still, you can go ahead and downlaod it. Print it out and then set it up so you're ready to go.⠀⠀
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I usually take my holiday planner down to Office Depot and have them spiral bind it with a plastic cover for about $5.00. This year, though, I just bought a new 3 ring binder at Walmart, printed off extra cover pages to slip in the clear sleeve, and created a binder with it. ⠀⠀
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📌📌📌 If you use the planner this year, be sure to share and tag me in your photos! ❤️⠀  Download: https://avirtuouswoman.org/holiday-planner/ #linkinbio
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#proverbs31 #proverbs31woman #purpose31 #10virtues #homemaking #homemakingministries #happyhomemaking #homemaking101 #cleanhome #cleanheart #fromchaostocalm #housekeeping #cleaningroutine #inspiredhome #makingahome #lovewhereyoudwell #homemaker #homebody #biblicalHomemaking #christmas #holidayplanning #planningaddict #plannercommunity #freeprintables #thanksgiving #christmastree  #plannerobsessed
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