A lot. It’s amazing how setting a timer makes all the difference. Somehow knowing that you’ll only be stuck doing a chore for a limited time helps. It tricks the mind into making a large unpleasant task manageable.
Racing Creates Focus.
There is also something called the Urgency Effect. With a timer set, you tend to narrow your focus on getting the job done rather than being distracted by other things. After all, it’s a race against the clock. This creates urgency.*
Company Improves Results
We can do it. It will only be an hour. Having someone to work with also helps because you can hold each other accountable, develop some momentum, and get twice the work done in the same amount of time. Recently, my family spent one hour clearing out the garage and what a difference it made!
Give Yourself Permission To Stop
Here’s a list of things that I am going to dedicate only one hour to this week:
- cleaning windows
- pruning over-grown branches
- washing the kitchen cupboards
If each of these chores aren’t finished after one hour, I can re-schedule them for next week. Or, if I’m feeling energetic, I might keep going until they’re done. The secret is that I have given myself permission to stop after an hour. No guilt. Celebrate that I got started.
What will you do in one hour? Comment below.
*Click here to read about the Urgency Effect.
Retired, And Now What? 