musicians all around us

 In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes” – Andy Warhol.

Are you aware of just how much time you waste each day?

Would you be shocked if I told you that every day you are squandering away hours and hours of your precious life?

Let’s look back on your day today. Or look back on yesterday if you are reading this post early in the morning.

How many times did you check your inbox? Opened the same email without taking any action? Checked Facebook or some other social media account? Handled the same piece of paper?

At this point, just look back and see how what productive and non- productive activities you carried out at work.

Also, if you are like most people nowadays, away from work your day may be filled up with superfluous activities, watching news, gossiping etc – you get my drift.

My point is this – you only have 24 hours in each day – and so many of those hours are simply frittered away. Wasted. Gone. Forever.

So much of your time is also taken up with waiting activities where you are simply waiting such as in a queue or holding on at one end of the telephone.  Or you are in limbo whilst you are waiting for someone to deliver something or finish their part of a job.

Before you know it, the day is gone followed by another day just as interwoven with fruitless activities. And that’s how life goes on.

Now supposing I shared a secret which will revolutionise your life and your timekeeping?

Success in life comes in 15 minute chunks.

Mastery of anything begins with 15 minutes of intense focus, followed by another 15 minutes and so on.

You and I get to transform the world in 15 minute chunks.

It really is as simple as that!

Devote yourself totally to any activity for 15 minutes, and you are most likely to be fully focused and involved. And then watch the creative juices flow.

And that’s the other thing – so often we wait and procrastinate, waiting for the right time for some magical inspiration to come. But if we keep waiting, it may never come!

There never is any need to wait for the inspiration to come or to get motivated.

That’s just another excuse for procrastination!

The key is to get started on any activity and keep going for 15 minutes.  And build on that.

Here’s a challenge for you from today onwards. No matter what sphere of work you are in, focus on working in 15 minute chunks:-

  • Clear that in-box in just 15 minutes!
  • Write that article.
  • Make those long put off telephone calls today.
  • Pay your bills online.
  • Get any drab, boring bits done in just 15 minutes.
  • Go for a brisk 15 minute walk.
  • Practice on your musical instrument.
  • Simplify your meals and diets

There is so much routine stuff you can get done and out of the way in simple 15 minute chunks – and then you can clear the deck for the real creative stuff.

Or better still, get started with the real creative stuff whilst you are fresh.

Whenever you have 15 minutes to “spare”, just do what you have to.

Take that report you have to read next time you are likely to be waiting in a line or at the dentist for example. Or take an inspirational book with you to read rather than flicking through some mindless gossipy magazines

Create more 15 minute chunks in your day by eliminating:-

  • Reading junk papers.
  • Mindlessly surfing gossipy websites
  • Checking inbox incessantly
  • Following social media updates
  • Toxic conversations with friends or co-workers

A worthy life of passion and inspiration is created in 15-minute chunks.

Take every chance you can to make it happen.

Focus on that one activity that will transform your life – imagine how your life would change if you became highly proficient at whatever you choose to do.

It can be an activity related to your work, business or a hobby. And actually, you can apply this rule in all areas of your life.

Of course, relaxing in 15-minute chunks is equally valid and important!

Try meditating for 15 minutes at a time, once or twice a day and watch how you naturally feel calmer and at peace. But that’s for a future post.

For today, just commit to making your life work in 15-minute chunks. You will never look back.

And in case you are wondering, I did draft this article in just 15 minutes – whilst I was on a 15-minute bus journey :-).

What can YOU do today in 15 minutes that will transform your life?

Once you have begun to apply this rule in your life, you’ll create even more time for more creative and inspirational activities.

Where can you get more inspiration and ideas?

One suggestion I have for you is to bookmark and check out these 3 inspirational and educational posts from my blogger friends. You can read through each article in 15-minute chunks :-).

Enjoy!

1. Develop Your Intuition

2. Romance Yourself

3. Discover how free you really are!

Here’s to an inspired life built in 15-minute chunks…

Photo courtesy of MattJP