The 15 Minute Rule

byJoe94

105 followers

5 years ago

Do you have trouble concentrating on certain tasks? It is very easy to becomed overwhelmed with assignments or time-consuming tasks during the day. Sometimes our minds get so overwhelmed that we stress about it and get nothing done as a result.

I learned a trick that I want to share with you all! This helped me to become more productive in any task. I call it the "15 Minute Rule". It's simple and easy to follow. All you have to do is commit 15 minutes of your day to focus on one specific project. It doesn't matter whether or not you complete anything within that 15 minutes. They key here is to train your mind to get in the habit of FOCUSING only on that one task during the 15 minute time interval.

Here's my example for you. I used to take piano lessons in my childhood. It was fun for me, and I got better and better over time. I played music specials at my church or community events.

Then I grew up, went to college, and took on more responsibilities. I haven't played the piano for over a decade! I just didn't have the time. My mind was always stressing over project deadlines and daily assignments. Much of the time, nothing got done because my mind was paralyzed.

One day, my mom asks why I don't play the piano anymore. I claim that I just don't have the time. She then asks, "Do you have 15 minutes?". I reluctantly say yes, and she gives me some music and asks me just to spend 15 minutes of my day doing nothing else but playing on the piano. I agreed to try it.

The first couple days were awkward just sitting there facing the piano; nothing really happened. I sat there watching the clock, waiting for time to run out. But I still continued to commit 15 minutes of my day to this simple assignment.

But as the days moved on, my 15 minute session with the piano became more meaningful. As I practiced more, my focus shifted more towards that one assignment. It got to the point where I didn't need the clock anymore; I was committing well above 15 minutes! Now, I continue to play the piano now more than ever. The 15 minute rule still comes in handy just to make sure that I do not spend the whole day on the piano!

If there's one thing this simple rule accomplishes, it's this: MOMENTUM. It's not always easy to start a new project, but once you do and keep at it, it becomes easier because your mind makes a habit out of it. Have you had unfinished projects hanging in the back of your mind? Do you just not have the time to complete them? Do you have at least 15 minutes of your day available? That's all it takes!