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.
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!
- rinse a dish
- put away your shoes
- hang up your coat
- sort through the days mail
- replace the toilet paper
- make your bed
- put your dirty laundry in the hamper
- start a load of clothes in the wash
- load the dishwasher
- wipe off the table
- water your plants
- empty a trash can
- wipe down the bathroom sink
- close a drawer or cupboard door
- sweep the porch
- fluff the pillows on the couch
- straighten the 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
- wipe up a spill when it happens
- put away clean clothes
- clean out your purse
- hang up your towel after showering
- dust your tv screen
- dust the cobwebs
- clean a mirror
- replace a burned out light bulb
- clean the stove top
- make the kitchen sink shine
- change out the bathroom towels
- check your planner
- clean a toilet
- put away clean clothes
- turn on your essential oil diffuser
- light some candles
- sweep the kitchen
- wash a pot as soon as your done cooking in it
- spray shower with daily shower spray
Free Printable Cheat Sheet
How to Download
Just fill out the form below and get instant access to my free printable: The One Minute Rule Cheat Sheet.
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