Drowning in clutter? Follow the "one-minute rule."

http://www.happiness-project.com/ Some thoughts on the one-minute rule and why it's useful:

It's very simple: I must do any task that can be finished in one minute. Hang up my coat, read a letter and toss it, fill in a form, answer an email, note down a citation, pick up my phone messages, file a paper, put a dish in the dishwasher, replenish the diaper supply by the changing table, put the magazines away...and so on.

It's an incredibly easy, incredibly effective rule—but it must be followed consistently if I want to see results. And it does take work.

Keeping all those small, nagging tasks under control makes me more serene, less overwhelmed.

When people ask me for happiness rules or tips, I often suggest the "one-minute rule," because it's very easy to implement. Several people have made a point of telling me how helpful they have found it.

One friend told me that her apartment went from being a wreck to being quite tidy, without much effort on her part. Another friend said that his productivity had shot up; because he got so many little things got done quickly, he had much more time for the bigger tasks.

One nice thing about the "one-minute rule" is that I don't have to think about priorities. When I stop to think, "Should I tidy up the playroom or pay bills?" or "Should I answer emails or run my computer back-up program?" I sometimes end up feeling that whatever I'm doing is the wrong thing.

But with the "one-minute rule," I do anything that presents itself, right away, as long as I can do it in a minute.

Thought for this week: Outer order contributes to inner calm.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Happiness Challenge Week 22
• The Happiness Project
• Gretchen Rubin
• clutter
• serenity
• peace
• order
• efficiency
• management

[GretchenRubinNY]

I'm so happy to hear that it worked well for you. Terrific!

[GretchenRubinNY]

I'm so pleased to hear that it works for you.

[GretchenRubinNY]

What a great strategy. You turn that "wasted" time into productive time, and also realize how little time it takes to do those kinds of tasks. I'm going to copy that!

[GretchenRubinNY]

Terrific!

[GretchenRubinNY]

Good luck with it!



[tenthousandhugs]

Excellent advice, Gretchen, as always!! I have been following this rule since reading your book, and it really makes a difference in clutter and overall calm in the home!

[GretchenRubinNY]

@tenthousandhugs Terrific! Isn't it surprising how clearing clutter really does make life happier and calmer? but really true!

[malakoffmom]

This has made a huge difference for me since I watched this video about a month ago. Thank you, Gretchen, for sharing this simple strategy that is cleaning up my life!

[SpAzZyWoNdErZ]

I'm going to try this

[bublzoftrubl]

Hi Gretchen! The one-minute rule is fantastic! It has made such a difference around our house!

[hardworkingmom4]

This is a great tip. She is on the money.

[dwennifer]

awsome!

[roxygirl4536]

I love the message. By the way, who makes the dress you are wearing? I am looking for Sichuan a dress

[quest8899]

i hate clutter

[duffles241]

0-O I Already do this?