Ever wonder if there is anything productive you can do with 10 minutes? You might be surprised!
Many of us avoid getting organized because we think we need a whole weekend to get started. While there are some large projects where having a chunk of time is necessary, there are also lots of small steps we can be taking throughout the day that add up to serious progress. Next time you have a few minutes to kill, rather than check the computer or turn on the TV, turn it into an “efficiency moment” and tackle one of these small tasks:
- Delete emails
- Delete photos from your phone
- Shred accumulated sensitive paperwork
- Read an article you’ve saved
- Water your plants
- Empty, clean, and reorganize a drawer
- Clear off, clean, and reset a shelf
- Empty and declutter your purse, backpack, or briefcase
- Sort through coupons and throw away any that are expired
- Sharpen pencils
- Empty your pencil sharpener of shavings
- Clear your bulletin board of out-of-date material
- Test all the pens in your pen cup and pitch any that don’t work well
- Enter phone numbers/contact information into your phone that you have lying around on scraps of paper
- Sort your magazine pile and throw away old issues
- Put an item (or two) away
- Update your apps
- Fold a load of laundry
- Throw out trash from your car
These are just a few ideas. It is useful to keep a running list of these tasks either hanging on the inside of a cabinet door or stored on your phone. The next time you find yourself with a few free minutes, you can pick a task and make the most of it.
What quick ten-minute tasks would you add to this list?
great post! Ten minutes is the perfect time to do many things. Wash dishes, wash lunch boxes, hand up dedicates to air dry, quickly dust furniture…
Hi Karen… I so agree! The list could go on and go:) I always seem to have 10 minutes to kill while waiting to finish another task. Thanks for stopping by!
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I need to start taking these to heart. I do this sometimes, but I’m inconsistent! I need to be more efficient! Thanks for the tips Seana, I always learn so much from you!!
Thanks, Michelle. You know the “learn so much from you” feeling is totally mutual:)
I have a Do and then Delete folder in my inbox. Things I really want to read or do, but don’t have time. A lot of good ideas that I don’t do but can start doing. Enjoy your SITS Day.
I love your Do and Delete folders, Sheila. Great idea! As for the ideas, one step at at time. Not everything works for everyone, but even one new habit can make a big difference. SITS is the best – I’m having a wonderful day:) Thanks for your comment.
Oooooo! Great advise! I catch myself thinking about the things I should be doing sometimes. This is a great list!
Thanks so much, Sarah. I seem to stumble on small bits of time and this list just helps me use it well. Thanks so much for your comment!
Such great tips! I especially like the drawer tip, because I have been putting off cleaning out my messy bedroom chest of drawers for a long time, but the thought of just doing one drawer today is much less overwhelming than cleaning out the whole thing. So I’m going to do that! Enjoy your SITS Day!
Thank you so much, Pam. I even clean my kitchen drawers one day at a time. It may take awhile to finish, but I get a little jolt of accomplishment every day, which feels so empowering. I so appreciate your comment. Have a great day!
Love this list! Do you have it in a printable, I want to hang this next to my desk. Thanks so much for the ideas! Happy SITS Day!
Glad you like it, Steph. I’m afraid my organizing skills trump my technical skills, hence it isn’t a quick printable. But feel free to copy and paste into a document and print away. I’ll have to work on making my lists more accessible!
Great list! I actually made a list of everything to clean in my house so that I could do it in small increments and cross it off. Instead of just “bathroom” I have all the different areas listed. That way maybe they will get done! I get totally overwhelmed with cleaning.
Few things motivate me as much as crossing items off my list:) Great idea, Consie. It just feels so productive. Thanks so much for this comment!
I love it, on to the shredder!
Love the shredder, Kristiina! Have fun:)
Well, technically it would only take me three days to clean out all the drawers in my kitchen, but it’s still a good idea! I like to do a frantic “10 Minute Tidy” with my kids. I set the timer for ten minutes and we race around to see how much junk we can put away in that time. Every little bit helps!
I so agree… I used to do the same thing with my kids when they were little. Got the idea from “The Big Comfy Couch” (I’m dating myself now). In addition to getting cleaned up, it gives children a positive association with putting things away, which is so valuable for their lives. Great tip!
Awesome! Now I need to get my fiance to implement this with me (instead of his new way of burning a free 10 minutes….trying to beat level 35 of Candy Crush…UGHHHHH!)
We have many drawers that need clearing out!
Ah yes, Delaney, Candy Crush:) I always say start with the areas YOU control… sometimes it takes a little coaxing to get others in the house on board. But when they see how efficient you are, maybe they get motivated? Best of luck and thanks for your comment!
I think I should probably print out this list and hang it on my fridge as a reminder!
Happy SITS day!
Why not? I have lists for all kinds of things on the inside of my kitchen cabinets:) Thanks for stopping by, Bethany. SITS day is so fun!
I love this post and all your tips, thanks!
Thanks so much, Britni. I so appreciate your reading:)
Great tips! It’s such a great reminder of all the small things you can do to get more do e in the long run. Pinning so I remember to make my own list!
Thanks so much, Kristin. It is true with organizing and so many other spheres of life. Small – but consistent- progress eventually yields huge results:)
I love the idea of using those ten minutes to be PRODUCTIVE. Yes!! Those are wonderful tips… 🙂 Happy SITS day!!!
I’ve had so much fun with my special SITS day! I’ve never met a productive minute I didn’t like!!
I often wish I could put all of those ten minute chunks of time together so I could be more productive. Thanks for helping me think about the time in a different way! Happy SITS Day!
Don’t we all wish for chunks of time to tackle the list? Oh to have an unplanned day!! But I figure 10 minutes beats 0 minutes:)
Not too long ago I told myself it was time to get organized. I did two small projects and I was done, although I am keeping up with those two that I established. I like your list – it’s a good way to get me on track. Thanks for sharing!!
You make a good point, Christie. Keeping a space organized is easier than getting started. But little by little we make huge progress! Thanks for reading:)
Good suggestions! I definitely need to get to my “Follow up” folder. Next time I’ll use the 10 minutes to do that.
Thanks Anna. Its amazing how the 10 minutes pile up into concrete, productive time. I hope it works for you… I’m working now on identifying more tasks we can perform in our brief free moments:)
Oooo, I like this! I am a bit of a neat freak by nature but often just can’t bring myself to clean out or clean up because it just takes so long! This 10 minute plan is going to revolutionise me 🙂 Thanks for the great post!
Happy SITS day!
Thanks so much, Corlie. The SITS day has been amazing – so much love from this terrific community. Hope the 10 minute plan works for you… don’t we all wish we had a full day to just tackle the list?
Oh, I so need your help! I do try to set the timer for 10 mins and do a job I don’t like…like unloading the dishwasher….or fold the clothes…. I will be following you ….love your post!
I’m with you, Renee. Somehow knowing I only need to do something for 10 minutes helps when it is something I don’t enjoy! I even have a 10 minute workout for that reason:) Thanks for the follow and your comment:)
I do the same thing, only I call it “little minutes”. I try to use those minutes while things are cooking in the microwave or while I’m waiting for my son to eat his breakfast before school. It’s surprising how much you can get done during these small amounts of time.
I totally get “while things are cooking in the microwave” Adrians… those minutes add up. Sometimes I clean a drawer:) It really is surprising how much consistent small efforts add up. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
Thanks for these tips! It’s amazing what can be done in ten minutes and it’s amazing how much time we waste! Again, Happy SITs Day…hope you enjoyed it! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so much, Michell. My SITS day was a complete blessing – I love the SITS community. Here’s to making the most of the minutes:) Thanks for stopping by… and hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
Many of these tasks could even be done in front of the TV, so no excuses!!
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So true, Janet. There’s another POBC idea!