15 Minute Rule
Get started on a task by knowing you can stop
Give yourself 15 minutes, then decide to stop or keep going
Sometimes, the most simple thing can feel impossible to achieve and getting going feels like the biggest hurdle. It may be something like completing a tricky bit of paperwork, doing a work-out, cleaning your room or writing a difficult letter. The 15 Minute rule is a really helpful exercise when some tasks feel too much.
How it works
Set an alarm if you need to but give yourself a 15 minute cut-off time. Tell yourself you can stop after 15 minutes if you want to. Then once you’ve reached the 15 minute mark, decide if you want to down tools and stop – or carry on. It’s up to you. The main thing is that you’ve got over the mental hurdle of actually starting. There’s also a fairly good chance that now you’ve started, you’ll carry on.
