In my bedroom, a mountain of pillows sprawls across the floor, while the bed sheets resemble the aftermath of a wild night. My lovable but much-needed-a-bath dog naps contentedly on the faux fur throw at the foot of the bed. As I take in the chaos, a flicker of resolve and excitement stirs within me. It’s almost time to leave the house, but first, I’m intent on accomplishing one simple task: making the bed.
You may think it’s silly, but making the bed brings me a sense of achievement that often eludes me as a stay-at-home parent. It may seem trivial to attribute so much significance to this simple chore, but the act of smoothing out the sheets genuinely lifts my spirits. And the best part? It takes me a minute or less.
This concept of focusing on small, manageable tasks is what Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, refers to as the One-Minute Rule. It’s a brilliant approach that encourages us to tackle tasks that can be completed in a minute or less as they arise, rather than postponing them to a later time (which often means never). While these tasks may not seem monumental, allowing them to pile up can lead to a nagging sense of overwhelm.
I can easily relate to the feeling of being swamped by an endless to-do list, both big and small. Setting ambitious goals often leads to disappointment when they remain unachieved, resulting in a cycle of anxiety. Add to that the clutter created by my family of five plus a dog, and I often find myself feeling paralyzed by the mess.
This is where the One-Minute Rule shines. Forget about prioritizing or overthinking; if you have a minute, just tackle whatever task is in front of you—whether it’s folding laundry, clearing out a junk drawer, or addressing that annoying Parent Association email with a subject line full of exclamation points. The focus is on productivity, and it’s perfectly okay to start with the small stuff.
Think about all the tasks you delay because larger, more pressing matters take precedence: you ignore that pile of mail because a trip to the store feels more urgent, or you leave dirty dishes in the sink because work demands your attention. You might even sidestep the mess of toys on the floor because your taxes are looming.
I’m not here to judge; I just know that all that unfinished business can lead to unhappiness. Research has shown that individuals living in cluttered environments experience elevated levels of stress hormones, making it even harder to handle the bigger challenges. It’s a vicious cycle of feeling overwhelmed.
Now, let’s return to the One-Minute Rule: what if you committed just one minute to completing a small task without worrying about everything else? Once you finish even a minor chore, you’ll likely feel a sense of relief. Whether or not you have it on a to-do list, accomplishing a small task can lighten your mental load, and that’s a great way to boost your mood.
I’ve even introduced the One-Minute Rule to my three kids. When they complain about clearing the dinner table or feel buried under homework, I ask them to just give it one minute. Setting a timer makes it a fun challenge. When they work together, those three minutes become a whirlwind of productivity—dishes are cleared, the table is wiped down, and leftovers are stored. When homework stress arises, a single minute is often exactly what my girls need to get started. In just sixty seconds, the atmosphere improves significantly.
Adults can benefit from this rule too. Tackling small tasks can lead to a quick sense of accomplishment, propelling you forward to the next chore. And if you find a task that requires more time, feel free to extend the One-Minute Rule to five or ten minutes—you absolutely can do that!
In the midst of chaos—be it work, family, or life—every little tool counts. It takes just a minute to respond to an email, make a quick phone call, or sort through your child’s take-home folder. If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will—except maybe the satisfaction of making your bed.
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In summary, the One-Minute Rule can transform your approach to daily tasks, helping you manage feelings of overwhelm and create a sense of accomplishment. Start small, and you’ll be surprised at how a minute can make a difference.
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