When creating a productivity system, it is always nice to go for something simple and easy to follow. What could be easier than the 10-minute Rule? This allows you to break your day into 10-minute segments that are much easier to manage than the larger tasks you are likely dealing with right now. To know more about how to form your life into easier-to-manage segments, you need to know about the 10-minute rule technique.
The 10-Minute Rule: How It Works
The core of what the 10-minute Rule offers to you is the ability to beat procrastination. We all know how easy it is to have procrastination slip into our lives, but few of us know that we can fight back against it. One of the best things some people do for themselves is the 10-minute rule method to help them get over the hump and move through their various tasks easily.
You see, when faced with a large number of tasks, it is tempting to push some of that work aside. Getting started is the hardest part for most people, which is why the 10-minute rule method is so important.
The 10-minute Rule helps you avoid multitasking by only allowing you the ability to focus on one task at a time for 10 minutes. Get through those 10 minutes, and you can decide if you want to drop the task for something else or not. It is similar to the Pomodoro method in that you work for a sustained period before taking a break to recharge. This is the way that humans are built to get things done. If you give your mind a chance to rest and catch up, you will be surprised by how much it can do. After 10 minutes have elapsed, you will likely want to continue your task beyond that time horizon. It turns out that it was always about getting over that initial push.
Why Does The 10-Minute Rule Work?
What is it about the 10-minute Rule that s us to prioritize the tasks that need to be done first and foremost without any issues? It seems that it all comes down to getting over the initial resistance we may put up due to not wanting to do our work. Other benefits of this method include the following:
- It is easy to start using it
- It doesn’t require a lot of tools or tracking
- You notice near-immediate results
- The temptation to procrastinate can weaken over time
People like it when they see quick results from something new that they are trying, and the 10-minute rule method is great. You can stop wasting time wondering how you will get ahead and start doing the hard work necessary to make it happen. Those who use the 10-minute rule technique effectively will surely appreciate that it starts working immediately.
Example of a 10-minute Rule in action
There are many ways to follow the 10-minute Rule, but we wanted to provide the example of a student who has a great paper that they need to turn in soon. Of course, others could also use this method to prepare for a big meeting at work or a job interview. For the sake of the example of our student working on a paper, let’s call this student Josh. Josh may look at the 10-minute rule technique (similar to Elon Musk’s time-blocking idea) and use it to take care of his paper one step at a time. It is helpful for Josh to see the little progress he can make in 10 minutes as it builds up quickly over time to help him turn this massive paper into something more manageable.
They pull themselves away from the Internet or watch Netflix long enough to put in 10 minutes of work on their paper. Suddenly, they noticed it wasn’t so bad, so they put in another 10 minutes, and then it just blossomed. This is how a chain reaction can be built that helps people get a lot more done than they might have ever imagined was possible.
3 Things To Keep In Mind With the 10-Minute Rule
There are a few things to remember when using the 10-minute Rule. You want to keep these ideas with you, so you don’t get too far off the path for what the 10-minute Rule was designed for. If you can capitalize on these ideas, then the 10-minute Rule can work for you much more effectively than it otherwise might.
1. Every Task Can Be Broken Down
There is no reason ever to take on a task in its entirety when you can break it down into smaller sub-tasks. You will feel better, and more work will get done when you use the 10-minute rule method to help break down the various parts of what you are attempting to accomplish. Look at the elements of the task that you most want to take care of first, and start working away on those to build up some momentum.
2. Be Mindful Of Your Timer
You can and should use a real timer when using the 10-minute method. Do NOT try to estimate when 10 minutes have passed. You need to know where you are with this technique and be mindful of your timer to get the best results possible. If you focus on things like that, you may see better results than anticipated.
3. Just Put The First 10 Minutes In
The biggest thing you can do for yourself is to put the first 10 minutes into your project. It sounds so simple, but those first 10 minutes lead to the momentum you need to build up if you are ever going to finish your tasks. Force yourself to do those 10 minutes if you have to. When they are done, see how you feel. The odds are pretty good that you will feel like moving on to doing another 10 minutes after that.
Conclusion
Virtually anyone can use the 10-minute method, and the results you can get from it are meant to be encouraging and help you propel yourself to even greater heights in the future. You certainly want to ensure you are achieving your full potential, which means using the 10-minute method to work through your daily tasks.
