Making those 10 minutes count

Most of the things we procrastinate over take around 10 minutes to perform. Yet we often avoid these things because we assume they are either  too difficult, too stressful, or too time consuming to perform.

It dawned on me last night as I was playing with my cat how easily I can convince myself that I just don't have time to engage in things that will only take 10 minutes of my life. Playing with my cat is a great example of this. That 10 minutes of play resulted in a night filled with peace. Tonight she also jumped on my lap for a cuddle - something she has struggled with for many years as a result of extreme anxiety. So that 10 minutes of my life resulted in a two fantastic outcomes.

Just think about all the important things in your life that you are possibly avoiding, that if undertaken would only really take10 minutes. 

Examples of 10 minute activities:

Meditating 

Calling a friend or family member

Playing with your child

Talking to your partner

Paying a bill

Sending an important email

Buying something online

Cleaning a room in your home

Speaking to your boss

Writing a plan for a university assignment

Scoping a work project

Now, think about just one of these 10 minute exercises that could improve your life if enacted regularly. For instance, if you often put off calling your family, you are likely to feel stressed about phoning on a regular basis. However, if you set aside 10 minutes every week to call and ensured you only spoke for 10 minutes, you would reduce your guilt and feel more in control of your life. In addition you would begin to build a much closer and fulfilling relationship with your family. Similarly, if you keep avoiding to send an important email, you will create a great deal more stress than if you sent it when it was due. By telling yourself it will only take 10 minutes, you can resolve the issue, move forward and feel a sense of relief from ticking off another task  from your to-do list.

Such tasks take up only small segments of time, yet if regularly ignored, can have a dramatically negative impact on your life. In the case of my cat, should I choose to neglect her 10 minute play, my punishment is a night of distressing miaowing, followed by an early morning wake up call. However, if engaged in10 minute activities can dramatically positively influence your life for the better.

So next time you are procrastinating over a 10 minute task, remind yourself that these 10 minutes will be worth every second to the quality of your life, in the long run.

For more inspiration and to learn how to build self esteem and gain confidence visit Happy Life at: www.selfesteemonline.com.au or follow us on Twitter at: @lohalloran72 or on Instagram at: @how_to_build_self_esteem