Gretchen Rubin’s easy-to-remember “One Minute Rule” has changed my life. Why not let it change yours too?
Gretchen Rubin is one of my favorite authors and she’s particularly known for her research, writing and podcast on happiness. I’ve read and implemented many of her principles, but the one that has had the biggest impact on my life and on my happiness has been her One Minute Rule – “Whatever you can do in one minute, do it.”
But a minute isn’t very long!
I’ve been ASTOUNDED at the things I can get done in one minute:
- The dishes in the sink can be either washed or put in the dishwasher.
- The chairs can be placed neatly around the table
- The folded pile of laundry can be taken upstairs and put away
- A pile of papers can be straightened
- A book can be put back on the shelf
- The stack of mail can be sorted and junk mail discarded
- A pair of shoes can be put in the closet
- A coat can be hung up
You can think of your own list, but what has been remarkable to me is that the One Minute Rule is so easy to remember that I actually DO remember it and put it into practice many times every single day. As Gretchen teaches in her book, Outer Order, Inner Calm, this simple practice has not only made the spaces in my home less cluttered, but it has also contributed to a sense of calm and the satisfaction of knowing that in a world out of control, there are, indeed, SOME things I can control.
Who knew a minute could make so much difference?
Try Gretchen Rubin’s One Minute Rule today. It will greatly enrich your #HeartspokenLife.
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Elizabeth,
Thank you for sharing as I can certainly use the one minute rule. I am working on improving my organizational skills and this is a perfect way to start and get focused. I tend to jump from one project to another. Thank you again. Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Easter
Thanks so much, Jeannie! I’m delighted you found some value in it too. Thanks for reading and commenting (and you’re entered into my book drawing). Happy Easter!
First of all, let me say that you are really good on camera Elizabeth. I love the jacket, the makeup, the jewelry and the pace of your speech. Will I always notice these things? I was trained as a theatrical designer and Opera director, so I suppose I always will notice. I just want to encourage this new thread of communication in your Heartspoken World!
Like Pamela Wight, I need to have structure in order to function creatively and I suppose that I will use the one minute rule on days when I am not feeling 100%. I do notice that on those days, whether from a cold or too little sleep, if I push myself to do some of those tasks I feel better come nightfall. I used to use the phrase: “There is no later” and now that seems too harsh. I like this one as it is more encouraging.
Thank you again for your generous sharing with all of us.
Oh, I can’t tell you how much your comments about the video mean to me, Pamela — especially considering your professional background! Video is a whole new world, and I’m only using the camera on my computer, but I tried to get lighting and other details right. I still look a little reddish, but I’ll try to tweak. In subsequent ones, I’ve done more speaking from the heart and not so much from the script. I’ll be anxious to see how you think they are.
I also appreciate your sharing your own experience with structure and habit. We’re all different, but when you find something that works for you, stick with it!
Sometimes I’m astounded that an entire day has passed and I feel like I’ve accomplished absolutely nothing. I love the idea of this one minute rule. I could definitely use this book in my life!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Lauren! I’m so glad this resonated with you too. It truly has made a difference for me. Your comment reminds me of another tip that Gretchen Rubin and many others recommend for gaining a sense of control and accomplishment — make your bed every day. When you get in the habit of doing that as soon as you get up, no matter what else happens, you know you’ve at least gotten that done! 🙂
I use several of these every day. Usually…when I’m ready to go to school but have a few minutes to spare, or during commercials when I’m watching tv (that’s usually more like 3-4 minutes). Excellent idea! And I do so like to come home at the end of the day and have a “picked up” place.
When your schedule is as full as yours is, Karen, these habits really help, don’t they? The older I get, the more I realize that clutter can be so demoralizing.
This is an interesting concept to me Elizabeth. I kind of already need and insist on order in my life. Whether it takes a minute or not, I have to have dirty dishes in the dishwasher or hand cleaned, the flowers happily sipping water in their vases, the clock ticking because it’s wound every morning, the bed always made within five minutes after I’ve woken up. I wonder if someone would call me OC? 🤔🤨🙃
I seriously doubt it — just a creature of good habits! When these kinds of things become habits, they can really help make our lives a little less complicated, I think. Thanks for reading and commenting!