r/GetMotivated • u/uhhhuhh • Aug 06 '12
Strategy Does it take less than 20 minutes?
Then do it. Right now.
Whenever you think "I should do x" and x takes less than 20 minutes to do then just do it. Not later, not tonight, not tomorrow, right fucking now.
Hmm, there are a few dishes in the sink... Wash them!
This room could use a vacuuming... Bust that shit out!
That girl just smiled at me, I should say hi... Hi! Do you like golf?
I should study for school... Study for 20 minutes!
If you think of something you should do and it would take awhile, write it down! The physical act of writing things down makes you more likely to do it.
It might seem overwhelming at first because there are probably a lot of little things around the house that need to get done, but after a few days you should have all the non-daily tasks knocked out and it will be good.
It's a new day wolves - Get after it!
*Edit - I used the golf line one time with one girl, don't read too much into it...
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Aug 06 '12
Unemployed and sinking in a hole, this just moved me off of my laptop perch and put in laundry that can't wait another day as well as straighten up my bed and make a "to do" list so I don't waste away this week like I did last.
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Aug 06 '12
Pro tip, after coming off a month-long unemployed spell: Get up in the morning, take a shower, get dressed and make your bed. Every single day. Do the dishes. Every day. Just those little things you can do, 20 minutes at a time or less, can make a big impact on your environment, and your environment can make a huge impact on your attitude for life.
At least that's my experience.
Looks over shoulder, notices unmade bed with pile of clean clothes...
Well, fuck it, I'm working now, I'll get to that later...
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Aug 07 '12
When I was unemployed I eventually developed a quite long list of things things to do each day (including applying for jobs of course). I almost think I was doing a lot more for myself than I am now. I had a workout routine even. Now, not so much.
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u/deletecode Aug 06 '12
You like golf? You teeist! (/r/nongolfers)
But seriously, good advice.
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u/Retawtrams Aug 06 '12
It's going to take awhile to watch this Argentina-USA basketball game. But it will take me less than 20 minutes to drink this beer. New goal, how many beers in 20 minutes?!
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u/Schnevets Aug 06 '12
Very very solid advice. I like to call it the Broken Window Policy. Something minor and trivial at the moment could easily augment into something unpleasant. Better to pick up the pair of dirty socks off the ground today than deal with a giant pile of clothes next week; better to clean your desktop once every few days than scratch your head over files from four months ago; better to cook dinner tonight than deal with spoiled ingredients in a few days.
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u/Skippyilove Aug 06 '12
Success breeds success, and the human brain is stimulated and thrives off of proactive behavior such as this. Cheers.
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u/Yadowshadow Aug 07 '12
I read about the Pomodoro technique somewhere here on reddit, and tried it out a couple of weeks ago.
It has helped my productivity skyrocket, and has greatly helped stop my procrastination.
I recommend everyone try it at least once, it might not be your cup of tea, but its a very effective tool for time management.
I downloaded an app for my phone and use it to sort out my day's tasks.
Especially helpful for those tasks you really dont want to do.
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u/grzzzly Aug 07 '12 edited Aug 07 '12
People complain about the state of this subreddit, but I find these kinds of things the most motivating, because they can actually change your life for an extended period if time if you stick to them. Thanks OP.
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Aug 07 '12
Just got done exercising for exactly 20 minutes, got on reddit and saw this. Needless to say, I feel incredibly awesome right now. So instead of laying down in my sweat I'm also going to clean up some of the house as well. Thank you for this! :)
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u/Saltyseadog29 Aug 07 '12
Kinda late but I'm glad I saw this. I went for a bike ride for 20 minutes then realized how much fun I was having. Went for a bike ride for a whole hour, and met 2 very pretty women while riding.
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u/Vok250 Aug 07 '12
I like how I clicked and answered "Yes it takes about 2 hours", but it said
Then do it. Right now.
'oh... umm. ok LETS DO THIS"
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u/lavacat Aug 07 '12
This is great...it's so easy to feel overwhelmed by huge tasks. Whether you pick a single thing that takes 20 minutes or less or even just say that you'll work on the big project for 20 minutes, it's amazing how much you can accomplish in that time. 20 minutes flies by whether you are dicking around on Reddit or doing a couple of the things that have been weighing you down all day. Only one of them makes you feel better about yourself in the end, though, usually.
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u/Lady1ri5 Aug 06 '12
I would love my roommate to reade these rules, mostly the first one. Love the 'write it down' rule, I keep a small notebook with me at all times for these moments. Always sucks when you think of an awesome idea and in 5 minutes, it's gone. Nowadays, you can just shoot yourself an email. Thanks mate
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u/DetroitGinger Aug 07 '12
I would go for a jog, but its 4 a.m. And I live in Detroit. For some reason, that sounds like a horrible idea.
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u/Mikoangelo Aug 07 '12
And if what you want to do is more than twenty minutes, just do a part of it that isn't. Then decide if you want to stop.
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u/m4cin Aug 06 '12
There is porn... FAP THIS SHIT OUT!
But seriously, this is good shit. I'm gonna apply it tommorow (in my country it's 23:28 right now :D )
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Aug 06 '12
awoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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Aug 06 '12
[deleted]
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u/uhhhuhh Aug 06 '12
The golf line worked Saturday night!
Part of my reason for being on this sub is to get motivated to talk to girls more.
Took a friend out for his birthday and the girl who valeted my car was cute. We had a quick back and forth before she parked it so I told myself I had to say something to her when I picked it up.
I ask girls about things that interest me to see if we have anything in common.
Went with golf and my instincts paid off!
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Aug 06 '12
I ask girls about things that interest me to see if we have anything in common.
This!
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u/SuSp3cT333 Aug 07 '12
maybe you know them already or don't care, wanted to share anyway :) (not advertising or anything)
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u/e7t Aug 06 '12
Yeah that's just about the worst way to chat to girls, don't approach them to try and talk about yourself, but more importantly - don't open with a question that 90% of the time will have a negative answer.
I'm actually majorly cringing at how nerdy of a pickup line "hi, do you like golf" is.
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u/uhhhuhh Aug 07 '12
Kind of a nerdy pick up line, but then again I'm kind of a nerdy guy!
You guys are all getting hung up on that dumb line, but the point of that was showing that I initiated a conversation.
I'm looking for something more meaningful than a one night hookup, so even if we have no sexual energy, I may have just found a new golfing partner.
hiphopfrog, you can play golf with me anytime!
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u/revolvingdoor Aug 07 '12
You sound peppy, are you on drugs?
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u/Syn7axError 7 Aug 07 '12
I don't think that's the problem. The problem is that it's simply inaccurate. It gets the women that like golf, but it doesn't get the women that you relate to that don't like golf. What if you like golf and fishing, and they like fishing and swimming?
Anyways, I think the discussion on his pick up line is getting ridiculous.
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u/uhhhuhh Aug 07 '12
Anyways, I think the discussion on his pick up line is getting ridiculous
It is, I've only said that one time! Shouldn't have put it in the op...
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u/hiphopfrog Aug 07 '12
Hello, girl here. I'd love if a guy started a conversation like that. Totally off-centre and charming. So much better than some slick a-hole.
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u/e7t Aug 07 '12
Great but you'd be an exception. Besides, where would you go from there if you don't like golf?
It's just incredibly basic knowledge that you don't start a conversation with a girl with a question that will be answered negatively, I find it hillarious that I'm downvoted by these neckbeards.
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Aug 06 '12
If by positive response you mean a "yes, I like golf," then I agree. However, most girls will say "no" but there still may be a chance of a conversation. Part 1 is opening your mouth.
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u/heyachaiyya Aug 07 '12
"Hi! Do you like golf?"
"No"
"We have so much in common!"
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u/Frontrunner453 Aug 07 '12
Exactly where I went with it.
"Do you like golf? No? Neither do I. Terrible sport. We should watch the Masters and make fun of their pants sometime."
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u/Nerobus Aug 07 '12
I like golf... I keep getting told this is not feminine, don't care, still love it. I was the MVP on my team in high school :).
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u/swimkid07 Aug 07 '12
I love golf :) My grandpa taught me as a little girl and it's one of my favorite memories with him. I was given his golf clubs after his death (shared them with my dad, who golfed with him a lot) and it meant the world to me. I've since gotten a lot of my female friends into playing too so that I have people to go with!
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Aug 06 '12
[deleted]
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u/mostwicked Aug 06 '12
Do it twenty minutes a week (5 min. a day or less) and it becomes a rewarding routine!
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u/tobe_or Aug 06 '12
hey -- i'm pretty good at finding <20 min tasks to do to feel like i'm actually getting shit done, when really it's distracting me from the fact that i'm not accomplishing the MAJOR tasks that i should be doing. when i decide to not do these <20 min tasks in order to concentrate on real work, i end up not doing anything and feeling like shit. any ideas for how to leapfrog into sustained concentration/motivation using the 20 min idea?