The one minute rule is the first ‘Try This at Home’ suggestion on the Happier podcast.
The one minute rule is simple: if there’s something that can be taken care of in a minute (or two) then just take care of it. For example, if the mail is piling up on the table and it would take just a minute or two to go through it – then take the minute or two and wipe it off the to do list.
Keep in mind this first episode of the podcast was ten years ago. This advice came out in 2015 though I heard it May. That being said, this was a rule I had already started before reading it in the blog. One of the things I found is between the time I tell Mr. Honey dinner is ready and he comes to the dining room, fixes the drinks and seats himself at the table, there are enough minutes for me to wash the pots, skillets or pans I used to make dinner.
It actually feels good knowing when dinner is done all I have to do is put two dishes, glasses, forks and knives in the dishwasher and turn off the lights.
The one minute rules keeps procrastination from taking over and it does a great job silencing that voice in my head urging me to sit it out instead of taking action. I would surely have taken them up on this tip if I didn’t already do it.