Goal Setting.....

Did you know that to accomplish certain goals a simple rule can make a big difference?

I have finally found an effective way to get tasks done that I don't want to do. I am applying the 20 minute rule. I found this gem in an old cookbook of my husband's aunt when we cleared out her Estate. It was under the heading of helpful hints.

This is the rule: Every day set aside 20 minutes and exactly 20 minutes. Do one task. Clean one drawer, polish silver, weed in the garden, sew on missing buttons etc. Do not deviate -take only 20 minutes and then stop until the next day.

Since there are always certain chores to do that I keep not getting around to I decided to apply this 20 minute rule. All I can say is it works. The pleasure of getting tasks done comes comes from applying the rule consistently. I have given myself Sunday off. I do think the key is in stopping after 20 minutes. I suggest setting a kitchen timer to enforce the stop. In the past I used to think I had to set an afternoon aside to go through drawers. Now with the 20 minute rule I was done at the end of the first week I also found that I was able to stay very focused on the task for that length of time.

I suggested this rule to a friend of mine when she lamented that she was too busy to exercise. She now walks 20 minutes five days a week at lunchtime when she is at work. A couple that I know found it hard to find time to talk with each other. Three times a week they now linger after dinner with a cup of tea. Their children know that this is gown-up time. A very busy single mom I know is making sure she gets her 20 minute alone time to read, take a bubble bath, or just do nothing.

What's great about the 20 minute rule is that 20 minutes is doable. I love the fact that I am getting tasks done that I had procrastinated about for a long time. It is a good rule to include in goal setting plans for the new year. [continues]

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