If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ve probably caught on that I’m a total list fanatic. I have lists for everything in my life: a 101 in 1001 list, a bucket list, daily to do lists, lists of books I want to read, gifts I want to give, restaurants I want to try… The list (ahem) goes on. And given the popularity of these features on Design Darling, I have a pretty good feeling that a lot of you operate the same way. List lovers unite!
Admit it: you’ve totally started writing a to do list with a task you’ve already accomplished, just for the satisfaction of getting to cross it off in pen. Hello, best feeling ever, amiright?! But I’ve found there are also quite a few easy tasks I can tackle in less than 5 minutes that contribute to a calmer state of mind, a happier home, a quicker digital device, and a tidier workspace. Here are 25 things you can accomplish in 5 minutes or less — each and every one of which will make you feel just a tiny bit more productive at the end of the day.
- Check your voicemail
- Clean out your wallet (business cards, loyalty cards, receipts)
- Delete duplicate photos from your iPhone
- Delete iPhone apps you never use
- Delete old bookmarks from your internet browser
- Eat a healthy snack
- Flag important emails and delete the rest
- Have a quick phone chat with a friend
- Load or unload the dishwasher
- Make a new playlist
- Make your bed
- Pay one bill
- Sort your mail
- Start a cycle of laundry
- Start writing your 101 in 1001 list!
- Take a quick shower
- Take out the trash
- Test the pens at your desk and toss any that are out of ink
- Tidy up your desktop
- Tidy up your digital desktop
- Walk around the block
- Write a thank you note
- Write down your mental to do list
- Unsubscribe from unwanted emails at Unroll.me
- Update your computer software
What’s one thing you’d add to the list? Here’s to a productive week ahead!
It is really helpful! I’m practicing 5 minutes rules every day and it so amazing. It help me to do my best. Thank you a lot.
I LOVE that you made this list. I think I sometimes procrastinate or don’t do something simple because I believe it will take “TOO” long, when really if 5 minutes is all I have…5 minutes is all I need to put into it this moment. Thank you for the motivation!
These are some great ones. I can think of a few – get rid of the smelly stuff lurking in your refrigerator, clean the sink, use a toilet bowl brush to freshen up the bowl, dust one room. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in 5 minutes!
Great post, I do a lot of these things of course, but hadn’t ever put them together in my mind. My favorites when unexpected down time occurs text one of my kids., clean out a drawer, dust, brush the dog, do facial exercises, recall a poem or something I’ve memorized, put away clutter, try to figure out my new phone and on and on. Thinking about all this is somewhat exhausting maybe I should take a QUICK nap. One of yours that doesn’t work for me – five minute shower. Long showers are one of my few wastes of- time luxuries. Fun Post!
no. 24 might be one of the best feelings! i actually discovered unroll me through your blog, so thank you!
xx
Cait
Haha I never thought of some of these!
Harry styles inspired outfit post is live, if anyone’s interested! X
hailandharmony.blogspot.ie
// BLOGLOVIN
This made me instantly clear out my wallet! Bookmarking this for those moments when I need a little push to be productive 😉
I’m a list maker too. It keeps me on track and it also makes me feel a little better as I get to mark things off. What a great post!
You are so right! Getting to cross something off from a list is probably best feeling ever;)
http://somewherebyannika.blogspot.fi/
I a
Love this and especially unroll.me – just completed my rollup!
xx
http://minkbykimlouisemcg.blogspot.com
Love this! There really is something so satisfying about being able to check something off as done.
Sam
Savvy City Chic
I am a total list maker! On my iphone under “reminders” I have 19 lists, some titled, Errands, Blog Work, Home Projects…etc. The only bad thing about my lists is if its not on the list, it doesn’t get done! I’m sure you have the same problem!
I found your post through my bloglovin feed and thought I’d stop by! Would love a visit when you aren’t crossing something off your list! 😉
This list is so clever – I forget what you can accomplish in just 5 minutes!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
Great tips especially love #24!
I love this list! Especially unroll.me — that’s something I can’t wait to try!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
I love this. It makes me feel like I’m so much more productive than I really am!!
xoxo
Hannah
http://www.frecklesandolives.blogspot.com
Here are some of my ideas! You’ve sparked a cleaning spree in me!
1. Drink a glass of water – always a good idea to hydrate!
2. Clean (everyday) jewelry – mine could always use some extra shine
3. Clean make-up brushes (might be more than 5 minutes…) – we all know it’s been a while…
Read my favorite Design Darling Blog
I love list making, but list doing isn’t so fun.
Great list. My addition..Discard aged and/or unused items from the medicine cabinet.
Something else you can do in 5 minutes or less is … make a list of everything that HAS to get accomplished that day! Quick and leads to more productivity.
Love this list! I signed up on unrollme and it has been a lifesaver!! Speaking of a to read list, do you have a Goodreads that readers can follow? I would love to see your recommendations!
Wow! I never knew about Unroll.Me, I am trying it out as I type!
Thanks for the inspiration, I can’t wait to get started… even if I am procrastinating on studying for class. 😉
Love this list! Getting little tasks done in between big tasks is definitely one of my favorite things 🙂
xx, Mikkaela
whoa, such a great and inspiring list! I’ve created my own, will post it soon and link back to this blogpost!
Thank you for yet another wonderful list.
xoxo Nadine
Love this post! I was wondering how you kept all your lists organized. Do you have one notebook for goals, one for daily to do lists, weekly ect? Are you a paper or digital gal? I’m struggling remembering my goals unless i put them in a visual place (and making it cute as well!) Would love to see a post on this! xoxo
I love lists! And I particularly love this list. I find myself doing a few of these things once a week or so. It’s so nice to just have something feel clean and organized even if it is just the apps on my phone! Another thing I like to do is make sure all my clothes are hung up properly (not on my bedroom floor haha) and making my bed (I make my bed every morning since it makes my room feel cleaner).
– Kelsey
https://kelseydefined.wordpress.com/
Love this post! I love tackling quick “to-do” list tasks that make you feel much more organized! Thank you for the inspiration!
Great post! I will definitely be using these ideas for my upcoming study breaks for the new semester!
-Xoxo
Sophia B.
CaliforniaBelleBlog.com
Being list obsessed myself, I can appreciate this one! I recently did 2, 3 & 20 and felt so accomplished afterward. It’s the little things 😉 I would also add, take 5 and toss what you don’t use in your medicine cabinet. I’m finding less is more these days!
What a great list! We often think that taking care of ourselves or being organized requires huge amounts of time. Particularly when I am overwhelmed a task that actually would take 5 minutes seem more like it would take an hour. I think a list like this would help me especially during those times when I am overwhelmed. I can pull it out and remind myself that life is always easier when broken into bite size bits.
Accidental Icon
http://www.accidentalicon.com
Thank you.