I think we’re all guilty of overestimating what we can get done in one day, and the number of projects we can work on at any given time. Writing a book in a weekend sounds fine, for example, until you realize that you’ve got a million other projects on the go at the same time! On the flip side, some projects can look so big that you just never get started. You keep putting it off and putting it off until you decide you’re just never going to get around to it.
There is one way to feel like you’re making progress even when you don’t have much time to work on a project: by dedicating just 15 minutes a day to doing something that’ll take you closer to your goals.
This is enough time to actually see some progress each day, but not too much time that you won’t be able to fit it into your already busy schedule. You may be thinking that projects will take too long to complete if you only give them 15 minutes per day, but they’ll take even longer if you never start! That 15-minute block is a way to motivate yourself, to keep you working consistently, and to help build momentum until you see something through to the end.
How To Make Sure Those 15 Minutes Are Productive
The best way to make sure you get the absolute most done in those 15 minutes is to know what you’re doing. If you’re writing a book or report, make sure you write an outline so that you can dig into any section whenever you have time. If not, spend one of your 15-minute chunks of time breaking down any project into smaller, more workable chunks. It may not seem like it, but this really works to make things easier on you, so don’t skip it!
It also helps to get into a routine: if you have 15 free minutes in the mornings, set this time aside for your new projects. Or, if you’re the kind of person who constantly seems to be on the move, keep a notebook/ smartphone/ eReader etc. on you so you can work on your project whenever you get a chance: at the doctor’s office, while waiting for a friend, sitting in a taxi and so on.
It also helps to let someone else know your goals. A partner or friend can help to keep you accountable, or you could even post daily updates on a blog and get others to join in. Whatever works for you!
Does It Really Work?
When do you feel the happiest and most successful: when you’ve been thinking about doing something for a while but are trying to get the motivation to actually start, or when you stop thinking and start doing? Even if you’re not doing much, you know you’re doing something. That should be enough for you to stop beating yourself up and to start feeling proud that you’re taking action on your goals.
Remember – every single person can find 15 free minutes in their day. There are no more excuses!
What can you get done in 15 minutes? Leave a comment below!
It’s hard to say we will find time to do something but I realize I need to do it! Working from dawn til dusk then working on my blog and other earning sites, keeps the clock ticking away with no free time. HOWEVER, I was just saying to myself the other day, I need to get back to my morning exercise routine. It’s only about 10 minutes worth of stretching and a short jaunt on the cardio bike. Okay, you talked me into it, I’m going to start put a bit of time away for “me” time.
Sometimes it helps to even put it on your calendar and SCHEDULE those 15-minute blocks!
I dunno, Paul.
Even though I spend 15 minutes on my blog in the morning….that’s after I spent much more time two or three weeks earlier writing it. Plus, I read other golks blogs and comment, to induce them to do the same for me. And, then, I have my real job…helping clients grow their businesses. That comes closer to 12 hours.
I am not saying you can get everything done in 15 minutes, Roy! I am saying that if there are some things that you might be putting off… start with just 15 minutes. And do it consistently, every day. For example, if there is a book you want to read… read 15 minutes a day. If your bookshelf is a mess like mine is (wall to wall book shelving), I could take 15 minutes a day to organize it.
After a week, or a month, or however big the full task is, you will have made significant progress in those 15 minutes a day.
I love this idea! I think that I would like to work on my website. I wonder how much I could get done in a week? Excited!
AWESOME, Nichole! Come back and let us know what you accomplished!
I have read hundreds of books by doing just that. Setting aside 15 minutes in the morning and reading made the difference for me. In addition, I didn’t try to absorb and use all the information at once. There were just 15 minutes of information to process.
Thanks, Linda! You know, this reminds me oh when I watch TV shows that I record on DVR (I watch about 6 shows through out the year – i am glad they spread out series). Anyway, when I watch a show and skip by the commercials, I find my retention goes down when I compare to watching WITH commercials. For me, I think the time during the commercials allows the content to sink in as I think about what I saw.