Sometimes my to-do list threatens to take over my life. When I have one too many things that I have to complete and seemingly not enough time, I can go into overwhelmed mode. Do you ever feel like there’s not enough time in the day to get it all done? Stress is not a good thing. It’s bad for your health and bad for your relationships.
One day, I took a deep breath, and realized that everyone has the same amount of time in the day. I can’t always find time, but I can always make time. I started to keeping track of all the things I could accomplish in 10 minutes. I was amazed at how many things I could get done in less than a quarter hour!
A lot of times I’d have an extra ten minutes here and there, and instead of using it, I’d waste it. Ten minutes never seemed like enough time to actually get something meaningful done. I started challenging myself. All those little ten minute spaces began getting filled up with tasks instead of fillers. Guess what happened? I felt less stressed, more relaxed, and my productivity soared.
Now whenever I have just a few minutes until we have to {fill in the blank}, instead of hopping on Facebook or Instagram or otherwise wasting those minutes, I find a task that needs to be done. Here are all of the things I’ve discovered can be done in 10 minutes or less. Using your time wisely is powerful and that’s something I’m learning everyday. 
50 Things You Can Accomplish in 10 Minutes or Less
1. Unload the dishwasher.
2. Fold one load of laundry.
3. Put away one load of folded laundry.
4. Vacuum our main living area.
5. Pick up the mudroom.
6. Clear off/declutter your desk.
7. Organize a child’s school papers.
8. Call and make an appointment.
9. Sort through the mail.
10. Pick up the toys.
11. Make your bed.
12. Write down friends and family member birthdays for the year in my planner.
13. Shower and get ready. (Really! Not if I have to wash my hair, though.)
14. Respond to several emails.
15. Respond to several blog comments.
16. Write several thank-you notes.
17. Read a book to your child.
18. Listen to your child read.
19. Reorganize your children’s art supplies.
20. Prep one snack for the week.
21. Brainstorm blog post ideas.
22. Call your mom or dad. (A short talk is better than no talk!)
23. Call your grandparent. (My grandma doesn’t like long conversations anyway)
24. Read scripture.
25. Pray.
26. Dust an area of the house.
27. Reorganize jewelry.
28. Make a shopping list.
29. Purchase needed items online. (We buy a lot of things from Amazon.)
30. Take pictures of your children.
31. Clean a few toilets.
32. Declutter the car.
33. Declutter your purse.
34. Make a child’s lunch for school.
35. Write a packing list (before a trip).
36. Edit a few photos.
37. Lay out your clothes and/or your children’s clothes for the next day.
38. Pack a school bag.
39. Do a whole-house declutter sweep.
40. Write a to-do list. 🙂
41. Rotate the kids’ books.
42. Renew library books online.
43. Pick up the kids’ bathroom (how does that get so messy?!)
44. Sort laundry.
45. Get in a little exercise.
46. Put food in the crockpot for lunch. (or dinner)
47. Sweep the front porch.
48. Clean out your inbox.
49. Unsubscribe from email lists you don’t want to be on.
50. Write down 5 things you are grateful for in a gratitude journal.
While your life is probably different than mine, and the list of things you can accomplish in 10 minutes may be different, I hope this list inspires you to use those little tidbits of time to accomplish something that might otherwise get pushed to the side. I think you’ll find the same result I did: less stress and a feeling of accomplishment. Both of those things help me to be a better mom and wife.
Imagine the possibilities for your life. 10 minutes can be powerful!
If someone asked for just 10 minutes of your time and not a minute more for the rest of their lives would you grant that wish for them?
PS. After all what is 10 minutes out of the rest of your lifetime?
You could change someone’s life in 10 minutes trust me I know.
Hey Maryea, I think i found lot of useful information from your blog, Actually, i was founding ideas what can i do in 10 minutes and found your blog from google and i spend such an amazing time with your blog, taught me lot of important detail from your blog. Thank you for blog.
my ‘bestfriend’ and ‘crockpot’ wouldnt even wait 10 minutes for me
I love this, Maryea! I’m with ya on the never-ending to-do lists. What a great idea to respond to a couple blog comments when you have a few minutes rather than feeling overwhelmed and doing them all at once. Awesome advice!
This is such a great list! You are going to make my husband so happy with this! I am going to print this and keep it handy for when I have a little bit of down time. Every little bit helps!
The little things really do add up!
I just love this list! Breaking to-dos down makes it seem more – doable 🙂
A good reminder to break it down! Too often I look around and can’t see the forest for the trees!
Great advice! It’s nice to look at the smaller tasks you can accomplish instead of stressing about everything as a whole.
Exactly! 🙂
You are so right! I can unload my tiny dishwasher in 5 minutes, but for some reason, laundry is my biggest battle. I’ll time it next time and see if I can do it in 10. If so, I have no excuses!
I can’t fold AND put away in 10 minutes, but I can do one of those tasks in 10 minutes. I never do it all at once anyway! 😉
I’m all for increasing efficiency…This is great advice. Happy Thursday 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/
Same to you! 🙂
love me
You can get a lot done in just 10 little minutes.
Much more than I ever thought before!
I love this post! I did something similar before I was married and had a child, basically a list of things to do when I didn’t know what to do. Funny but useful!
Isn’t it funny how things change when you get married and have a child–there’s always SOMETHING to do, right? 🙂
This post is wonderful! It makes me think. I love you blog, especially the healthy recipes. Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re reaching people you don’t even know about. Thank you for all your encouragement!
Thanks so much, Carol! I really appreciate your comment. 🙂