The Miracle of the One Minute Rule

Those of you who have read The Happiness Project , by Gretchen Rubin, are familiar with this little gem, but it is one of those life rules that saves me on a regular basis. If I come across something that can be done in a minute or less, I do it right then and there. The minute that it costs me up front is FAR LESS than the mental space, worry, and inevitable clean up of the larger problem I caused by neglecting it in the first place.  How many times a day do we think to ourselves, "I'll RSVP to the event this afternoon." "I'll remind that client about the conference call in a few minutes."  "I'll confirm with my boss later." When? When I have more time? More time than 60 seconds?

The more those quick little tasks add up in my brain, the more overwhelmed I feel. And so, the rule: If it can get done in less than 60 seconds, do it now! This applies to household stuff too. Dumb stuff... like making the bed. My whole life I was told to make the bed, and it seemed like such a time waster. I had places to go, people to see, things to do! Why would I stop the world and do something so mundane? 

But you know what? I timed it. It takes me exactly one minute and 10 seconds to throw it together and make it look like a hotel bed! And what a mental relaxer it is to have a crisp, pleasant, freshly made bed as my work companion, instead of a pile of sheets, blankets and pillows, since my home office is now set up in my master bedroom. 

Co-worker needs a yes or no answer to a project question? Type and hit 'Send.' The meeting planner needs to know black or white linens? Text the answer.  The dryer sheet that's been lying in the hallway since last night? Pick it up and throw it away.  You're thirsty? Stand up and get a glass of water or a cup of tea, for heaven's sake! It's the little time savers that can make all the difference in keeping your precious mental space clear for the big decisions, technical projects, complex sports schedules, and major health conversations that tend to pop up both regularly and unexpectedly at this phase of life.