The One-Minute Rule: How to Crush Procrastination Before It Starts

Let’s set the scene: You’re walking into your kitchen and you see a dirty spoon on the counter. You could rinse it and toss it in the dishwasher—it would take 12 seconds, max—but your brain goes, “Eh. Later.”

Fast forward three days. That one spoon has summoned a full revival of Utensil Uprising: sticky forks, unidentifiable bowls, and a coffee mug that’s been holding water like a science experiment.

Enter: The One-Minute Rule. This brilliantly simple productivity hack says: If something takes a minute or less to do, just do it now. Not later. Not when Saturn is in retrograde or when you’re finally “feeling productive.” Just now, before your brain can negotiate its way out of it.

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Why This Hack Actually Triggers Productivity Dopamine

Let’s talk brains for a sec (don’t worry, no lab coats required). Your brain loves quick wins. Every time you finish a task—no matter how small—it releases a fancy chemical called dopamine. It’s basically your brain’s way of giving you a pat on the back.

Small tasks = fast wins = dopamine rush = motivation to do a slightly less small task.

It’s like tricking yourself into productivity by hitting the self-improvement version of a snack-sized candy bar.

Doing something small doesn't mean it's insignificant. It means you're building momentum.

Max Bennett

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What Counts as a ‘One Minute’ Task?

Spoiler alert: more than you think.

Here’s a rapid-fire list of one-minute tasks that tend to snowball nicely:

• Replying “Yes” to a calendar invite (instead of staring at it for three hours wondering if you’ll have the emotional bandwidth by next Thursday)
• Throwing your empty coffee pod in the actual trash
• Jotting down that idea you had before it floats into the ether
• Washing one fork instead of stacking it for future-you
• Deleting three marketing emails (bonus points if you also unsubscribe)

I started noticing how many tiny procrastinations I made in a day, and it was honestly a little terrifying. So I started timing them for fun—yep, we’re talking kitchen timer and everything.

(Also: there’s something delightfully rebellious about setting a timer not to be more efficient, but to prove how ridiculously short some tasks really are.)

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A Day of Living By the One-Minute Rule

So naturally, I tested it. A whole work-from-home Thursday where I attempted to obey the One-Minute Rule to its fullest. Here’s what happened:

8:03 AM: Resisted urge to let mug sit in sink. Washed it instead.

Total task time: 16 seconds. Feelings of smug superiority: 9/10.

10:52 AM: Saw shirt on bedroom chair. Hung it up instead of pretending it’s “creatively draped.”

Task Duration: 22 seconds. Room instantly felt 13% cleaner.

1:38 PM: Responded to Slack message lingering awkwardly in green bubble limbo.

Time invested: 34 seconds. Coworker responded with ”👏 Fast reply!” I floated on that high for HOURS.

3:15 PM: Cleared three desktop files I’ve ignored since Monday.

Time: 41 seconds. Space: infinite. Glory: eternal.

By the end of the day, I hadn’t taken any huge steps. But my space felt clearer, my email wasn’t yelling at me, and for once I didn’t close my laptop and immediately spiral into avoidant potato-mode on the couch.

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But Wait—What if You Go Too Far?

I’ll level with you. I also encountered a slight… side effect.

By 4 PM, I started chasing every micro-task like a caffeinated squirrel. Dust speck on the shelf? Gone. Socks misaligned in drawer? Corrected. Sticker residue on a salad dressing jar? Scrubbed furiously.

It was like a productivity sugar high—until I realized I’d avoided a 2-hour deep work task all afternoon.

That said, don’t toss the whole technique. Use it as a warm-up, not a substitution. It’s momentum fuel, not your main engine.

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When Is the One-Minute Rule Most Useful?

It’s not about applying it obsessively 24/7 (unless you like that sort of chaos—some of us do). Here’s where it seriously shines:

1. During chore avoidance spirals

If your desk is covered in notes like a post-it jungle, you probably know the panicky avoidance that follows. One-minute wins can ease you back into order without pressure.

2. On brain-fog mornings

Your brain’s still booting up like a 1997 desktop PC. Don’t dive into spreadsheets. Instead: toss socks in the hamper. Pour water in your plant. Reply “yes” to Karen’s potluck invite. Boom—momentum!

3. During your dreaded afternoon slump

The post-lunch fade is real. When your focus evaporates, use one-minute tasks to gently nudge yourself back to action. You’ll feel just productive enough to trick your brain back into gear.

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Pair It With Other Micro-Habits

Want to really level up? Pair the One-Minute Rule with other tiny-but-mighty strategies like micro-habits or ta-da lists to create a productivity system that doesn’t feel like a spreadsheet slapped you in the face.

Some of my favorite combos:

• One-minute email clear + Ta-Da list update = ✨Feel-better cocktail
• Trash toss + micro-habit stretch + breathing = Afternoon refresh routine
• Water a plant + pet a dog + mark a task done = Joy trifecta

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Physical Reminders Help Too

If your brain’s forgetful like mine (I once forgot I was boiling eggs… until they exploded), a little visual nudge helps. Try:

• A sticky note that says “Got a minute?”
• A recurring calendar ping that says “Tiny win time?” (mine has a squirrel emoji, obviously)
• A note on your mirror: “If it takes < 60 sec, make it vanish!”

You can also turn it into a little game by counting how many one-minute tasks you nail each day. Yes, gamifying your life works!

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Make It a Social Habit

Internal accountability is great. External accountability is hilarious. Try texting a friend every time you finish five one-minute wins in a row. I did this with my friend Hannah and we ended up competitive-speed organizing our junk drawers.

You can also post your wins with us over on Instagram. Tag @mysimple.life.official and show us your lightning chores—just maybe don’t film yourself brushing your teeth in 47 seconds. (Unless it’s amazing. Then definitely do that.)

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TL;DR (Too Lazy; Definitely Reforming)

The One-Minute Rule won’t solve everything. But it’s the ultimate gateway drug into beating procrastination.

You get tidy rooms and timely replies. Your brain gets mini dopamine hits like it’s snacking on motivation candy. And sometimes those one-minute tasks build the momentum for the actual thing you were totally going to procrastinate on for three days.

Next time you walk past a pair of shoes that need rehoming, or a sock on the floor, or a tab that just needs to be closed:

Ask yourself: “Can I get this done in 60 seconds?”

And then just do it.

Your future self (and future sink) will thank you.