Ever notice how chores or work piles up to the point where it feels overwhelming to even get started? Procrastination is often a vicious cycle because you delay and then you have less time to complete the project, so you get anxious, procrastinate more, have even less time, which makes you even more stressed.
Well, the one-minute rule could be your answer. Pick a single task that takes one minute or less to complete. For example:1
- Hang up a coat
- Read a letter and toss it
- Fill in a form
- Answer an email
- Jot down a citation
- Pick up phone messages
- File a paper
- Put a dish in the dishwasher.
Completing just a single simple task can build positive momentum and help give you the confidence and energy to work on other tasks. It reduces the stress associated with being overwhelmed by giving you a sense of accomplishment and progress.
