The Trick I'm Using to Boost My Productivity!

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!

Me in my living room full of toys in the ground — Me in my always messy living room

Clean Living Room — Living room after using the 15-minute rule

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