The Hack So Simple You Will Roll Your Eyes
Okay, I am about to give you a life hack so simple you are going to roll your eyes. You are going to say 'that is it?' And then you are going to try it, and you are going to text me like 'omg why does this work?' Because it does. It just does.
The Rule
Here is the rule: If something takes less than 5 minutes, do it immediately. Do not write it down. Do not add it to your to-do list. Do not think about it later. Just do it. Right now. In the moment.
That is it. That is the hack. I told you it was simple.
Why It Hits Different
Most of our mental clutter is not from big tasks — it is from the 47 tiny things we keep telling ourselves we will do later. Reply to that email. Fill out that form. Wash that one dish. Each one takes maybe 3 minutes, but they stack up in your brain like a Jenga tower of anxiety.
Your brain does not distinguish between 'small undone task' and 'big undone task.' It just knows there is stuff you said you would do and did not. That creates cognitive load — basically background anxiety that follows you around all day.
The Procrastination Killer
Here is the plot twist: most tasks that FEEL big are actually just a series of 5-minute tasks wearing a trenchcoat. 'Clean my room' is overwhelming. But 'put the clothes in the hamper'? That is 5 minutes. 'Take the trash out'? 3 minutes. Do three 5-minute tasks and suddenly your room is clean and you did not even suffer.
The procrastination killer is momentum. Starting is the hardest part. But if you commit to just 5 minutes? That is not scary. Anyone can do 5 minutes. And once you are in motion, you usually keep going.
Try it for one day. Every time you think 'I should do that,' check if it is under 5 minutes. If yes, do it immediately. By the end of the day, you will feel lighter. Less cluttered. Less anxious. You are welcome. Go do the thing.