Lately, it seems like my productivity level was at an all-time low. I could blame the weather, I mean who wants to stay inside writing when there are so many summer activities I could be doing. I could blame my boys, I mean they ARE only young once and they are quite a handful right now (yes I’m talking about you, Ted). Or I could blame the fact that I’m a naturally lazy person! But at the end of the day, I’m to blame. I’m constantly choosing to do other things rather than what I SHOULD be doing whether it’s blog related or cleaning related.
The next thing I know my to-do list is as long as my arm! Just looking at my to-do list would make me so overwhelmed and exhausted. So I would avoid that too! Sound familiar? Well, about a week ago I had enough! No more putting stuff off! I needed to get the work done regardless of how much there was to do or how overwhelming it seemed.
Enter The Productivity Trick
I was browsing on Pinterest trying to find some productivity tips that I could try. I stumbled upon a post about the 15-minute rule. The 15-minute rule is for people who feel completely overwhelmed and stressed by the number of things they need to do. But instead of ignoring the to-do list they set a timer for 15 minutes and just start working on something. Once the 15 minutes are up you take a 10-minute break. Then you continue with 15 minutes of knocking things off your to-do list. You can keep doing this until your to-do list is finished.
The logic of the 15-minute rule is that 15-minutes is not a long time and that you can do anything for 15 minutes. The rule is taking away the idea that you have 20 things on your to-do list that NEED to get done. Then changes it to “you have 15 minutes to continuously work on stuff on your list and if you get some stuff done awesome, now take a break”. Make sure that when you take the 10-minute break that you are prepared to go back to getting stuff done. Once you get on a roll you will see your list practically done!
Examples Of Me Using This Productivity Trick
Here’s and example of me using the 15-minute rule. Every night I look at my lovely living room and the floor is completely covered in toys. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? My boys love making the biggest mess possible! So I started doing the 15-minute rule right after the boys are asleep. I start by cleaning the toys in the living room, then if I still have time left I do the dishes. Sometimes I even have enough time to clean off the counters. I also use this rule for my blog. I think “I can do anything for 15 minutes. So let’s work on my next post for 15 minutes and see if I want to stop.” Even just starting it motivates you to continue going!
Conclusion
This trick has made me so much more productive! I seem to be getting a lot more work done around the house and on my blog. Use this trick all you want and I know it will help you too. I know how overwhelming a to-do list can be. But what are some tricks you use to boost your productivity? I’d love to hear about them! Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading,
Kel
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This is a really great tip! I will have to give it a try next time I’m feeling overwhelmed.
It really helps! Especially when your list of things to do just keeps getting longer! Thanks for commenting!
I love this tip, I’m going to try it today.
I like this tip! 15 minutes is about the max length of free time I tend to get with a toddler and 6-week-old. I’ve learned to master the 15 minute “power nap” as well!
Yes! The 15-minute rule is perfect when you have two kids because all you have is 15 minutes before someone needs something haha
This is the best method I have also.
I find once I start I have a good chance of continuing until I’m done instead of just for the 15 minutes. 🙂 More people need to know about this!
Exactly! Sometimes I get on a roll that I just continue through until I’ve finished my to-do list
I love this productivity tip. I think it helps when we are not super thrilled about what we have to do such as picking up the kids toys, which has to be done day after day and seems such a waste of time but nonetheless needs to be done. Luckily my kids are older and it may take me 15 minutes of reminders for them to put their stuff away.
It definitely works best on things you don’t want to do and, like with the cleaning up toys, it seems like you do it everyday!
Those were really great productive tips. I always make my to-do list and I always make sure that I end up doing the first three work before the clock strikes 12pm. That is my personal productive hack.
Oh I like that tip! I’m gonna start using that!
I love this! I sometimes do something similar & it really does seems to make me so much more productive! I’ll have to try your method!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Thanks! It’s definitely something to try! I like how it’s a time limit