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Home » 10 minutes

10-Minute Task List

March 8, 2022 17 Comments

10-Minute Tasks Featured Image

In this post, I’ll discuss why I developed a 10-minute task list, what it is, and how you can use it in your life.

Table of contents

  • Why a 10-Minute Task List?
  • The Intent of a 10-Minute Task List
  • Finding Clusters of Minutes for a 10-Minute Task List
  • Spare Moments
  • Making a 10-Minute Task List
  • The 10-Minute Task List Bullet Journal Collection
  • Need a 10-Minute Task List for Work – Not Just Home?
  • Why Not Longer Than 10 Minutes?
  • Magic Happens When you Write it Down (There’s Research Behind It!)
  • The Magic of the 10-Minute Task List in My Own Life
  • What Happened After Those Magical 10 Minutes
  • Interested in Building Better Habits?

Why a 10-Minute Task List?

When I first started bullet journaling, I remember a conversation with my husband where I felt dejected by everything I had to do and never felt like I got anything done. I know you’ve been there, too. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, your to-do list grows faster than you can cross items off it. The main culprits seemed to be the recycled tasks. You know, the ones that keep reappearing even though you check them off. Like laundry, dishes, or cleaning the kitchen counters.

That’s when I came up with the 10-Minute Task List. If I found a snippet of downtime, I’d refer to the list and see how much I could get done in those few spare minutes. Seeing how much I could do during those few clusters of minutes felt amazing. But then, the next day, I’d feel that same frustration by having too much to do and not seeing a dent in the tasks.

When I realized that I needed to give credit where credit was due and write down the things that I did during those 10 minutes, for more reasons why I recommend writing down the things you get done, check out this post. It was game-changing mentally for me.

10-MInute Task List in Mind Map Format - List of tasks you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com

The Intent of a 10-Minute Task List

The intent is to create a reference for those chores that plague my mind and distract me from my project so I can take care of them before I sit down. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. You want to concentrate but keep getting distracted by the dirty dishes or the cluttered desk. You spend more time fiddling and ignoring these outstanding items than working on the project you need to finish.

If you took 10 minutes to clear away some of the clutter from your mind and satisfied the need to straighten your house a little, do you think you could concentrate? I found a significant improvement in my concentration when using this method.

Have 10 minutes? Make a bullet journal collection with a list of household jobs that take 10 minutes or less then see what you can accomplish. 10-Minute Task List

Finding Clusters of Minutes for a 10-Minute Task List

I have 3 children: the oldest, 12. The youngest just turned 4, and one in between. We like to enjoy our time as a family, and I teach my kids to work hard, and they enjoy helping me do chores. But I do not want to spend every waking moment cleaning, scrubbing, or sorting. I know my kids wouldn’t like helping me do that much cleaning, either.

I started thinking about how I use the cluster of minutes each day. 10 minutes to spare here, 5 minutes there, and I often squander those minutes away. I don’t need my house squeaky clean or perfect. But I like it organized and prefer not to step on Cheerios or Legos on the floor. Why not use those clusters of minutes to work on items from my 10-minute task list?

Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
Original Version
Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
New Version in My Current Bullet Journal

Spare Moments

I decided to develop a list of things I could do in just 10 minutes or less. Because we all have spare moments, these items would help lessen the overwhelm of life and help keep me more organized. It was all in the name of being more productive.

I find that when I sit down to work on a project, my mind is suddenly overcome with everything I’ve neglected. All sorts of distractions crept their way into my conscience, demanding attention at that time, although they were nowhere 10 minutes earlier when my mind was not trying to focus. Thoughts of the cluttered bathroom counter, the clean dishes in the dishwasher, and loads of laundry yet to be started.

If you cannot focus, do a quick brain dump of everything in your head. That way, you know what you need to do but focus on your current task.

Making a 10-Minute Task List

Here is the list I started on my phone when I started brainstorming all the ideas I could do in 10 minutes. It quickly grew larger as I realized how many things I could get done in 10 minutes or less, when I created this spread in my bullet journal. I organized each in a category surrounding the central idea.

Cell Phone Notes Version: 10 Minute Task List - things you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com
Part 3 Cell Phone Notes Version: 10 Minute Task List - things you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com
Part 4 Cell Phone Notes Version: 10 Minute Task List - things you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com
Part 2 Cell Phone Notes Version: 10 Minute Task List - things you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com

The 10-Minute Task List Bullet Journal Collection

Instead of creating a top-to-bottom list, I started with a central title and built my list based on categories. I love mind-map formats like this because I can move around the list more easily while brainstorming. I don’t feel I have to complete one section before moving on.

Once I moved the list to my bullet journal, I created a mind map version of the list. Since each section circles around the main topic, I won’t start at the top and work my way down. I’ll move dynamically around the list as needed. If I were to list ‘Kitchen’ on the top of a list, I might only clean the kitchen and never move to the bathroom when I start a 10-minute task period.

But that’s just me.

If you’re comfortable with a top-to-bottom list, do what is comfortable for you. Use this method and customize it to suit your tastes.

10-Minute Task List Bullet Journal Collection Header | Mind Map Format for listing collections of ideas surrounding a central idea - in this case 10 Minute Tasks | ChocolateMusings.com

Need a 10-Minute Task List for Work – Not Just Home?

I use this list while I’m at home. I’m sure with a little retooling. You could customize a list to accommodate your work life, too.

If you’re at work and use this method, you might have longer than 10 minutes. You might develop a 25-minute task list instead of a 10-minute task list. Whatever fits into your schedule or slots in between meetings or zoom calls. Having a go-to list makes a huge difference in getting more things done. Because I don’t waste those spare moments deciding what I need to do.

Why Not Longer Than 10 Minutes?

Many people use a Pomodoro timer or the Pomodoro technique to work in short bursts on various projects. I usually have a sliver of time to get something done before the next big thing. 10 minutes is usually the time I have left on the oven timer before we sit down to dinner.

If I can schedule 25 minutes, I will do it. But even if I schedule 25 minutes, I’ll still record these ‘wins’ in my 10-minute task log. Because it’s more about feeling accomplished than the name, I call it.

Magic Happens When you Write it Down (There’s Research Behind It!)

I’ve heard numerous times throughout my life that brain connections are more powerful when you write something down. Not only do you think about it, but the physical transfer of electric brain pulses controlling your fingers to form letters, spell words, and complete sentences creates an even stronger memory as multiple senses are now involved.

I could go on and on about my passion for writing, but that isn’t the point of this post. So here are a couple of articles I found related to why I like to write things down. (I find this stuff fascinating!)

Other research highlights the hand’s unique relationship with the brain when composing thoughts and ideas. Virginia Berninger, a professor at the University of Washington, reported her study of children in grades two, four, and six that revealed they wrote more words faster and expressed more ideas when writing essays by hand versus with a keyboard.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201303/why-writing-hand-could-make-you-smarter

The act of writing is a complex cognitive process relying on intricate perceptual-sensorimotor combinations. As a highly sophisticated and comprehensive way of externalizing our thoughts, giving shape to memories as well as plans and dreams, sharing our stories, and communicating our emotions and affections, writing always involves the skillful handling of some mechanical/technical device and necessarily results in a visuographic representation – some (more or less) readable text, in the form of a string of letters or symbols.

https://www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-haptics/digitizing-literacy-reflections-on-the-haptics-of-writing

The Magic of the 10-Minute Task List in My Own Life

After I created this list of items to do in 10 minutes, I went on with my daily life. Then something magic happened. It was just as the kids were going to bed. They were slowly getting into their pajamas, brushing their teeth, filling water cups, and trying to prolong the process as long as possible.

I found myself with about 10 minutes as the bedtime routine dragged on. Instead of harping on my kids, I used the time to tidy the kitchen, put dishes away, fold towels from the dryer, and start a new load of laundry. In the meantime, the kids straightened the living room while I emptied the garbage, de-junked some surfaces, and straightened my desk. I competed against a mini-timer in my head.

After goodnight kisses and the kids tucked in, I looked around and approved. I never referred to the 10-minute list I made, but I didn’t need to. Instinctively I knew what was on that list. Immediately my brain realized that I had 10 minutes and set an internal timer. Once that imaginary timer dinged – the sense of accomplishment blossomed. The best part is it didn’t take an hour or two! All it required was a mere 10 minutes.

What Happened After Those Magical 10 Minutes

A wonderful thing happened later that night as I sat at my desk, wanting to work on a project. My mind was clear! Undone tasks did not hang guiltily over my head. Thanks to those dedicated 10 minutes, I found a mindful peace and added focus to the task at hand.

I’ll review my 10-minute task list and add to it every once in a while to keep it fresh in my mind and keep the magic flowing.

Find out what happens when I start recording the results of the 10-minute speed-cleaning sessions. I couldn’t predict the amazing shift in mental health!

Interested in Building Better Habits?

Here are some books I’ve read on organizing, decluttering, and habits. I’d love a recommendation and add it to my list. Let me know if you have more to add in the comments below.  

 

17 Comments
Filed Under: #InMy10Minutes, Blog, Bullet Journal, Collections, Get Organized & Start Planning, Habits Tagged: 10 minute tasks, 10 minutes, Bullet Journal, bullet journal lists, cleaning list, get things done quickly, making a list, quick cleaning, task list, to do list

Why Record Your Completed Tasks?

November 16, 2021 7 Comments

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Why record your completed tasks? Isn’t it enough to do a bunch of tasks and feel satisfaction at the time? In this post, I’ll describe how recording my completed ’10-minute tasks’ each day reduced overall overwhelm, led to a feeling of accomplishment, and refreshed my mindset. Which, in turn, resulted in more motivation to keep going day in and day out.

Read this post to find out more about my 10-minute task list. Here’s the original spread vs. the new spread in my current bullet journal. Most of the tasks are the same!

I love this mind map format for task lists – because it makes them feel equally important. I don’t do the same task every time because it’s at the top of the list.

Table of contents

  • Create a 10-Minute Task List
  • Don’t Plan it Out
  • Why Record Completed Tasks
  • Add Every Accomplishment
  • Create a Go-To To-Do List
  • Give Yourself Some Credit
    • Pro Tip:
  • Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks
  • It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks
  • After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks
  • Take The Challenge:
  • Moms Need Timeouts Too!
  • Question:

Create a 10-Minute Task List

When I started bullet journaling, I remember a conversation with my husband where I felt dejected by all that I had to do and never felt like I got anything done. I know you’ve been there, too. No matter how hard you try, your to-do list grows faster than you can cross items off of it.

That’s when I came up with the 10-Minute Task List. If I found a snippet of downtime, I’d refer to the list of repeating chores and to-dos and see how much I could get done in those few spare minutes. Seeing how much I could do during those few clusters of minutes felt terrific. But then, the next day, I’d feel that same frustration by having too much to do and not seeing a dent in the tasks. That’s why I started recording my completed tasks.

Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
Original Spread
Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
New Spread

Don’t Plan it Out

In his original bullet journal format, I know Ryder Carroll uses a list format to jot all his tasks down. It’s what helped him manage his overwhelm. Similarly, recording your completed tasks creates an irrefutable record that you did get something done, even when you feel like you didn’t.

However, these 10 minutes don’t require you to plan beforehand. You take advantage of a sliver of time and furiously work from a suggested list. Getting done what you can. Then the fact that you record it afterward focuses your attention on what you did, instead of looking at a half-crossed-off to-do list.

Keep in mind I’m not saying that you shouldn’t keep a running to-do list. Instead, I’m saying to keep a tally of everything you did in a separate “Ta-Da” list so you don’t compare the overall task list to what you accomplished.

Why Record Completed Tasks

When the feeling of overwhelm and defeat kept coming back day after day, I realized that I needed to write down what I did. When I’d glance over the list of ‘done items’ later on, I had to acknowledge that I did more than I remembered. And that’s a good feeling.

Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Give yourself credit where credit is due, and write down what you do during your 10-minute task sprints. This is part of my self-care regimen and the effort to be kinder to myself. We can all afford to be a little kinder to our minds.

When I started writing my finished tasks, I noticed a reduction in my overall overwhelm. It wasn’t that my to-do list was shorter. It was that I was giving myself credit for the effort that I was putting in. It’s been said repeatedly that we are not kind enough to ourselves. Recording your completed tasks so you can briefly bask in the accomplishment creates a gateway for building confidence and self-esteem and living a life where you’re more gentle with yourself.

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Add Every Accomplishment

Give it a try. If you do a 10-minute task sprint and get 2 or 3 things done, start making a list of all the things you did. Add every accomplishment to your ‘look what I did’ list. Then see what effect it has on your mental state. Test it, and see if it reduces your overwhelm and lifts your spirits.

You might find the motivation to keep going. Just like an object in motion tends to stay in motion, a person motivated stays motivated.

10-MInute Task List in Mind Map Format - List of tasks you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com

Create a Go-To To-Do List

I created a go-to to-do list with tasks I could do around the house in 10-minutes or less. This 10-minute task list in mind-map form was the catalyst for helping to reduce some of the overwhelm I felt daily because it all felt like ‘too much.’ Your task list will likely be different than mine.

After working on the to-do list, I created a little space in my bullet journal to write down the tasks I did in those 10-minutes. Recording those completed tasks certainly made me feel better, which helped reduce my overwhelm. Writing it down provides proof (to me) that the week isn’t wasted, and it turns into a personal show-and-tell of the things I was able to get done.

Every once in a while, I’ll call out to my husband, “I’m going to do a 10”. And immediately understands that I’m going to clean fast and furious or take a break for a few minutes to try and feel like I was accomplishing something. He loved the idea and noticed a difference in my anxiety levels afterward. I could also tell that my focus level increased following a 10-minute break.

Weekly Bullet Journal Spread with a place to write my 'ta das' (I call them #inmy10minutes) or things that I've done. It works as a confidence boost and adds to my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Give Yourself Some Credit

If you struggle with these same thoughts, try recording the things you get done (no matter how small they are). Make a list for the week of the menial (but finished) tasks you did all week long. Give yourself some credit. This process will work wonders for your overall view of yourself, especially if you record your finished tasks consistently for a few weeks.

Pro Tip:

You don’t have to create a 10-minute task list if you don’t want to. You can use your everyday task list instead. I promise you’ll be surprised about how fast you work when you focus and are trying to beat the timer. I love creating a mind-map-style task list, so one section doesn’t seem more important than another section.

Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks

Here’s a classic example of when I started doing something, I kept going after the 10 minutes was up (but not much longer) because I felt so motivated. This one was probably two sets of 10 minutes.

First of all, I took a deep breath. Then, I cleaned the bathroom sink and the mirror. After that, I cleaned up and organized all the kid’s toothbrushes and toothpaste, discarding dried-up tubes of toothpaste and old toothbrushes. Next, I picked up tissue scraps from the floor, scrubbed the toothpaste off the counter, and cleaned the toilet.

Onto the floor next, which I scrubbed. Following the floor, I checked and arranged their shampoo and soap bottles in the bathtub. Six minutes down.

Recorded task list - a fun way to doodle your day & record the things you accomplished | ChocolateMusings.com

I could stop there, but I decided I had a few more minutes and gladly made my way to the kitchen, where I quickly emptied the dishwasher and filled it with spare dishes in the sink. I cleaned out the baby’s high chair – we had rice, and it was a mess! But it looks great now. Lastly, I swept and scrubbed the floor.

Whew! Don’t you just love that feeling of getting all those nagging tasks done?

It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks

Once I finished the myriad of tasks, I took one more minute to jot them all down. It’s amazing to look back each week and feel a sense of accomplishment when otherwise I might have criticized myself for not using my time wisely. Recording these finished tasks changes my perspective and reduces my daily overwhelm and anxiety. You don’t have to create this sheet of doodles. Making a list is good enough.

These 10-minute tasks have really changed my life. I only wish I had thought of it sooner. I’d love to know what you do in your 10 minutes. Use #InMy10Minutes and tag me @ChocolateMusingsCreates on Instagram.

After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks

Here are some real-life examples of my recorded tasks using #inmy10minutes. One week, I cuddled with my little one for 10 minutes. Another week, the whole family was sick, but I made an effort. In other weeks, I recorded a long list of completed tasks. Consistently recording my 10-minute efforts is what makes the difference, and I give myself credit for the efforts I put in.

#inmy10minutes accomplishment box - where I take 10 minutes, do as many tasks as I can then I write them all down so I can give myself a little credit | ChocolateMusings.com
Even when the week is rough like this one - I love seeing whatever effort I made. Recording completed tasks gives a sense of pride and motivation to keep moving forward | ChocolateMusings.com
Purple #inmy10minutes recorded completed tasks. Seeing this list of things I did, gives me a boost to keep going - give credit where credit is due and recognize all your efforts | ChocolateMusings.com
Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Take The Challenge:

Here’s your challenge – just try it out for a week and see if you have a cleaner house and an improved mental state.

  • Take 10 Minutes
  • See How Much you Can Get Done
  • Record What Your Completed Tasks (this is the important part)
  • Be Proud of Yourself
  • Repeat

The key is to write it down and give yourself credit. It’s not important what you got done in those 10 minutes. What is important, however, is letting yourself see your successes and recognizing your efforts. Try it for a week.

Instead of taking 10-minute bursts, take the challenge at work or at home. After each hour, use one minute to list all the things you got done. Keep a running tally of your ‘Ta Das’ or completed tasks. Review it at the end of the day and end of the week. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it.

#InMy10Minutes Challenge - take 10 minutes to do as much as you can, then record the tasks you finished. Repeat each day. The effect is more than just a cleaner house. It changes your mental view point as well. Try it out. | ChocolateMusings.com

Moms Need Timeouts Too!

Sometimes, instead of cleaning, I take 10 minutes and put myself in ‘time out.’ Moms need timeouts too. And some days, instead of doing tasks, I take 10 minutes to restore my mental health by reading a book that I wouldn’t read otherwise. It is a book I want to read, and I do it for fun. Sometimes I take 10 minutes to cuddle with a kid who needs attention. It’s hard to slow down when there are so many things happening. But if they need it, use your 10 minutes and give them all that attention. Remember to record it – those are important moments. They’re not a task, but they need to be written.

No matter what I do during these snippets of time, I make sure to record these completed items because writing down these finished ‘tasks’ reduces my overwhelm and gives me confidence. Then I look back over the week and realize how many things I got done. If you try this challenge, I think you’ll find that you get more done than you realize. Give yourself a little credit. This is why I record my completed tasks because it helps me do more and feel better about myself.

Question:

What do you do with your 10 minutes? Let me know!

Remember to plan your life so that you live beautifully, and don’t be afraid to try something new and find your inner muse. ~Tricia

7 Comments
Filed Under: #InMy10Minutes, Artsy Planner Spreads, Blog, Bullet Journal, Get Organized & Start Planning, Planner Spreads Tagged: #InMy10Minutes, 10 minute tasks, 10 minutes, changing my life, how do I get everything done?, in my 10 minutes, motivation, motivational, quick cleaning, tasks, to do

About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

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