The Power of 10
Do you feel overwhelmed at times with everything you need or want to get done? Do you lack
the time, energy or maybe even desire to get it done? It is important to have a plan to
accomplish what you want or need to do. Time spent thinking and planning is time well spent.
There are many different ideas on planning and organizing everyone should be able to find one
or adapt one that works. The important thing is to have a plan. Many times the hard part is
getting it done, you need motivation, desire, and energy. Sometimes what needs to get done is
simply overwhelming.
First, prioritize what needs to be done what you want to get done. Many times the things we
‘want’ to do get done and we run out of time for the ‘need’ to do list. This can cause a lot of
stress because those ‘need’ to do things are still need done no matter how busy and productive
we have been with our ‘want’ to do list.
Consider the power of 10 trick to get motivated for that ‘need’ to do list. Spend 10 minutes doing
or do 10 of whatever needs to be done. For instance, if your kitchen needs cleaned, set a timer
for 10 minutes and get started. For those 10 minutes work steadily. If you are interrupted, stop
the timer and deal with the interruption, then start the timer back up and resume cleaning. When
the timer goes off, give yourself permission to quit or you continue cleaning. Many times just
getting started is the hardest part and once you have spent those 10 minutes you are motivated
to finish. Or if more appropriate deal with 10 items, 10 things in your paper pile, clear 10 items
off your counter, or put away 10 items. Then after you have dealt with those 10 things again you
can quit or carry on with another 10 things.
You might be amazed how much you can get done in 10 minutes or how much better you feel
after dealing with 10 items. Consider this, if you would get your family to use the power of 10 at
the same time how much would get accomplished in a short period of time.
This method can be used for motivation in all parts of your life, give it a try the next time you
need to get motivated to get something done.
For more ideas, contact your local Nebraska Extension Office and ask for NebGuide 1772
Thirteen Timely Tips for More Effective Time Management or on the web
at: http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/g1772.pdf University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is a
responsive, innovative and trusted information source for all Nebraskans.
Nancy Frecks
Extension Educator
SW 3 Counties
Dundy-Hayes-Hitchcock
[email protected]
308 334 5666 Hitchcock