“It’s only ten minutes. Why bother?”
Because ten minutes can change your life.
Life with children is busy and complicated no matter what stage you’re in, and my life is no different. We do have some extra challenging issues though: a teenage son with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, another daughter who is undiagnosed but shows signs of Aspergers, a daughter with a wheat allergy, a very tight budget and the stress of having moved to another state in the last few months.
With all of this stress, I found myself with projects that I didn’t want to take care of because they overwhelmed me. Just living daily life left me feeling tired and unmotivated to take care of responsibilities, especially if those responsibilities took more than two minutes to handle! I found a solution though: Take TenTM (ten minutes a day) Projects.
Here’s why Take TenTM Works:
Ten Minute Projects Are Do-able
Breaking those daunting projects into smaller parts keeps me from being overwhelmed. Sure, I can live in denial and just not think about them, but choosing not to deal with reality means problems later. There is always a consequence for inaction, even though it usually doesn’t come immediately. Working for only ten minutes seems achievable.
Ten Minute Projects Bring Focus
Sometimes I fail to work on projects because I am distracted by other things. Taking ten minutes to focus on only one task helps me to get more done. I usually end up spending more time because I am concentrating on that one area rather than trying to accomplish several things at once.
Ten Minute Projects Break Procrastination
I procrastinate because projects seem too big or too hard or too time-consuming to take on. By just doing something on the project I break procrastination’s hold and get some momentum going. I am much more likely to spend time on it later because I have already broken through the hardest part: getting started.
Is there an area in your life in which you have been procrastinating? Is there something that you know has to be done, but you stay busy doing other activities so you don’t have to face it? That is the project to get started on this week.
Simply face the issue and do something on it for ten minutes starting today.
This week I’ll be working ten minutes a day on a writing project that I know I need to complete, but which I have ignored because it overwhelmed me. I’m not placing any expectations on myself, only committing to diligently work for ten minutes a day every day this week (Monday-Saturday, resting on Sunday).
If the ten minutes turns into something more, fine. If not, then by the end of the week I will have worked 60 minutes or one hour on my project. Want to join me?
If you want some accountability, leave a comment about what you’re committing to this week and we can all check in at the end of the week to see how we did.
Happy Avoiding Procrastination Week!
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I love you Kimberlee!! You are so inspiring and encouraging!! I am going to commit to working 10 minutes a day on our school room….we MUST get this house cleaned COMPLETELY out and there are three areas, well four actually, that still are not done…the master closet, the school room, the basement and the garage(but that’s Bryan’s domain). SO, I am going to start TODAY on the school room. Thanks again for the encouragement!!!
Thank you Jenny! It is so nice to hear that I’m not the only one.
Thanks Kimberlee for the encouragement!
You are definitely not the only one.
I’ve been needing to clean out a closet that’s full of papers, and have been avoiding it because I’m not sure where to put the overflow. I think that I’ll spend 10 minutes tomorrow just working on ONE shelf.
My pleasure! Let me know how you do.
Hi Kimberlee:
Thanks for this! My goal is to work on my plastic storage container cupboard in the kitchen. I know everyone has one! It’s a mess and nothing matches. I picked up a 100 piece set of matching plastic storage containers weeks ago @ a liquidation place for a great price. It’s still sitting on the cupboard. So my goal this week for at least 10 mins. is to sort and throw out the old ones and the ones that don’t have lids and put the new stuff in the cupboard till it’s done.
I know exactly what you mean. My collection got cleaned out when we moved 6 months ago and I had so few that we actually had to buy new ones! I think the missing lids are hiding out with the missing socks from the dryer!
I love this idea! I swear I have ADHD and have a hard time focusing and end up with a lot started and not much done. Thank you for this idea!
You are very welcome. Just sharing what works for me.
Just found your website! Love it! Love this article also, it’s always helpful to know “I’m not the only one”!
What a great idea! I already used your technique today and completed a task that I normally really procrastinate on. It was uninterrupted and really not that big a deal. I knew I only had to work on it for 10 minutes!!
That’s great Cheryl!
I would like to declutter my whole house to get ready for an antique multitown yard sale in May. I am going to commit to starting in my kitchen today. Thankfully its not just antiques as I have both.
Wow! I love your stuff! I was going to write a book called, “And I Got it For Free,” but, as usual, I didn’t go through with it,
I have a border moving in and I have to clean out the room. So, I decided to take one thing downstairs to the garage each time I go down the steps. Funny, I just started this yesterday and today I found your post.
I love the ten minute idea! I have started doing things in small steps lately because I just, as you said, have too much to do and I get tired,
I just love your idea of the ten minutes and it makes me feel good that I am not the only one.
Thank you!!!!
I want to give this a try. I’m a school bus driver and my work day is broken up a lot. Therefore, it takes 10 hours to work an 8 hour day. So I find that cleaning up after dinner is something that I to easily put off till tomorrow instead of cleaning up tonight. But I think I can give it 10 minutes each night before bed.
This is wonderful and you are wonderful for taking the time out of your already busy life to share the wisdom you’ve learned with us! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh, I am going to take 10 minutes painting my bathroom. I am a recovering procrastinator and this is going to be GREAT!!!
I am a major procrastinator. I am very excited to try this. Thanks for all your info.
Thanks for great tips,along w/ helping me feel normal!
I lost my college age son tragically almost 2 years ago. His bedroom has become the catch-all room in my house, and I have known for a long time I needed to clean it out and get rid of most of the things in there. When I read this I decided to use this concept to get the job done. Thanks for a terrific idea that allows me to take my time with this very difficult task.
I am so, so sorry for your loss Angela. I cannot imagine how hard that must be for you. I wonder if you could have a friend help you while you work in the room? I definitely like the idea of you working only a few minutes at at time. I think lots of breaks would be absolutely necessary as you deal with the emotions attached to what you are doing. I pray that God will comfort you as only He knows how.
Oh my mylanta, I am so inspired! My husband is in the ministry and recently left his job on convictions of conscience. Things are tight and we knew they would be tough, but we were following the Lord’s guidance. I’m the only income coming in and we are more than 500 shy of paying the bills. I needed these tips and insights. We are drowning in medical bills, I have some disorders and just had my third miscarriage. We do have a wonderful 14 month old boy, and I am learning to give him TIME not THINGS! Thank you for helping me grow. I am committing to 10 minutes to organizing! I am a hoarder and make piles instead of cleaning and getting rid of things. This is my new plan, to make my house more accessible and cleaner for my now very active little one! THANKS! The house is soooo overwhelming but I can do 10 minutes!!!
Hi Brittany! I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage and your financial difficulties. I pray that your husband can find a job quickly, but in the meantime I’m excited for you that you are being proactive.
I lost my job three weeks ago. i have trouble with depression and it is trying to get a hold on me again. I’ll have to try getting things done by doing it for 10 minutes. Thanks for sharing that idea.
I am so sorry about your job loss Linda! I pray that God’s peace will fill you and comfort you during this time, and that you will quickly find another job.
Kimberlee, you are such an inspiration! I have actually read this a couple of times since I started subscribing to your blog, since it’s a great reminder. Ten minutes does make a difference. It has helped me to get over the “perfection issue,” and helped me to realize that having SOMETHING done, is better than having nothing done, at all. Thanks so much.
You are welcome! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I’m glad I am not alone in my struggle with perfectionism and procrastination.
There are sooo many great blogs out here, but I sure do love you, Kimberlee. I REMEMBER to come back to you! Wow, when it comes to 10 minutes, I’m sitting here trying to figure out what project I would apply that to first. Hmmm (…a procrastinator’s hmmm). I guess if I just start somewhere, that’s all that matters. 10 minutes! 10 minutes. Easy to remember. Thanks for this.
Thank you so much Lisa. You are right, just do something that needs to be done for ten minutes–you can do it!
I have a book I want to write. I have been avoiding it because it is such a big project. I am going to try 10 minutes a day. Even though it is not what I planned, it is a lot better than nothing, which is what I have been doing! Thanks for the great idea
You are very welcome!
Hi there,
I have never left comments on any websites or youtubes..But when I stumbled on ur site,I felt “I JUST NEED TO COMMENT”..Its so inspiring….before I write more,,I need to read more of your entries before my 6months old wakes up.
Cheers,
Welcome Jennie!
Thanks Kimberlee for your msgs. We have one grown daughter, two grandsons, a teenager, and adopted 2 special needs children last year; whom I am homeschooling. I also have several chronic health issues. What I love about your page is that you are a mom just like me, trying by faith to do the best you can. You don’t pretend to be perfect, thus making me feel worse. I only have a limited amount of energy a day due to my illnesses, so 10min ideas are great for me. So many websites/blogs overwhelm me and make me feel inferior. Your site always leaves me feeling lifted up! Thank you! Karen
I am so glad that you feel encouraged Karen–that’s my goal! Thanks so much for letting me know.