The One-Minute Rule: Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference at Home
Jun 04, 2025
You know that sock on the stairs? The cereal bowl that somehow didn’t make it to the dishwasher? That thing you keep walking past and thinking, “I’ll get to it later”?
Yeah. Me too.
But here’s the truth: later is already full.
Enter the One-Minute Rule—a tiny shift that’s made a huge difference in our home. If something takes less than 60 seconds to do, do it now.
Simple? Yes. Life-changing? Also yes.
This rule doesn’t just keep the house tidier (though it absolutely does). It builds trust. With ourselves. With our systems. And honestly? With our day.
Because when you start knocking out tiny tasks on autopilot, momentum builds.
Here’s what this looks like in our house:
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Tossing the wet towel into the laundry basket right away
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Putting the lid back on the peanut butter before walking away
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Hitting “order” on the meds before they fall off the mental load cliff
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Putting the ice pack back instead of leaving it on the counter (yes, I’m calling myself out)
You’re not creating a brand-new routine. You’re stacking a tiny action onto something that’s already happening.
This is the magic of Cue Systems. When one loop gets completed, it creates space for the next. You’re not chasing control—you’re building calm through repeatable moments.
Need a place to start? Pick one cue that already happens:
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The coffee brews.
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The kids buckle their seatbelts.
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You walk past the hallway light that’s always on.
Then ask: What can I do in this moment that takes 60 seconds or less?
This isn't about doing more. It’s about making what's already happening work harder for you.
And if you miss one? You're not failing. You're noticing. And noticing is step one of any change that sticks.
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