Feeling overwhelmed by the state of your home? Don’t let that stop you from starting the cleaning process. Try breaking it down into 15-minute bursts. Set a timer on your phone or use an egg timer, choose an area or task, and work on it for 15 minutes without any distractions. This simple method can help make cleaning more manageable and efficient. You can make a list of tasks or just start with whatever catches your eye first.
By cleaning in timed sessions, you can develop a habit of keeping your space tidy and organized. Avoid distractions during these 15-minute bursts and focus solely on the task at hand. Once the time is up, assess what you’ve accomplished and decide whether to stop or continue with another session followed by a short break.
This approach is similar to the Pomodoro technique, a time management method that emphasizes short, focused intervals of work. By concentrating on one area at a time, you can make progress without feeling overwhelmed. It’s not just a trendy productivity hack – it’s an effective way to make cleaning easier and quicker.
Why 15-minute cleaning bursts work so well
Do you really want to spend 75 minutes cleaning? Probably not. But by doing short 15-minute sessions each day, you end up cleaning for the same total time without the dread of a long cleaning session. These shorter bursts make cleaning feel less daunting, especially for those dealing with a messy home. Additionally, it helps you stay on top of smaller messes that accumulate daily.
Focused cleaning sessions allow you to tackle specific areas without feeling overwhelmed by the entire task. The timer creates a sense of urgency, pushing you to see how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time. This method is particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD or difficulty staying on task, as it allows them to focus on one area at a time. It also prevents burnout from trying to clean the entire house in one go.
This method promotes single-tasking, which studies show can increase efficiency compared to multitasking. By focusing on one area at a time, you can avoid distractions and complete tasks more effectively. Next time you clean, try putting on some music, setting a timer, and see how much you can achieve in just 15 minutes.
