This week, I’m digging out from being sick for several days. It can be overwhelming to take days off (in this case, I spent a couple weekend days and a couple work days in bed), so I’m focusing on small wins.
In other words, what are the things that need to be done, but that I can also quickly cross off my to-do list in order to feel like I’m accomplishing something?
It got me thinking about those impactful things that take 5 minutes or less, but that really can make a difference.
Here are some examples:
- Checking my (physical) mailbox (gets me out of the house after several days in bed and it’s a good way to test my sea legs)
- Unloading the dishwasher and wiping down my kitchen counters
- Updating my grocery list (including any medicine that needs to be replaced if I used it up)
- Quickly running through my email box to delete what I can (so that it looks less overwhelming when I actually start processing the emails that need to be read and responded to)
- Making a list of meetings to reschedule (from being out of the office)
- Throwing a load of laundry into the washer
- Taking out the kitchen / bathroom trash
- Uploading a video to YouTube for one of my writing groups
- Reviewing my calendar for the remainder of the week and creating a short list of tasks for upcoming meetings
Each of these items really makes a difference in helping me to feel more organized as I get back to work — and they each only take 5 minutes or less.
To think on:
- What tasks that are 5 minutes or less impact your day in a positive way?
- How do you like to ease back in after taking time off work?