Do you have 15 Minutes?

Do you have trouble getting started on a task or a project? Many times that is the hardest part of a task or project.

I find that to be true for me, especially when it comes to using the telephone to schedule appointments, resolving outstanding items or pickup voice mails. (I hate picking up voice mails - want a telephone that spits out little printed messages!! LOLOLLOL!)

A basic organizing tenet is the ‘Rule of 5′. Tell yourself that you only have to work at a task for 5 minutes. Generally you will find that once you get started one of two things will happen. You’ll either complete the task within the 5 minutes, or you will continue beyond the 5 minutes.

I have found that 5 minutes might work to organize your kitchen drawer; however it is not long enough in an office situation.  I recommend you schedule and use 15 minutes. Then use another Getting Things Done Rule: Do your most important task first or do the task you hate and have been putting off first thing every day.

Spend at least 15 minutes doing that one thing every day and eventually that mountain will turn into a molehill. Sometimes you may have to repeat this mantra to yourself: “I can do anything for 15 minutes!”  {grin} I know I have to say it sometimes just to get myself started!