Power Hour {& How It Has Helped My Life}
In the past, I’ve been compelled to share a few life hacks that have significantly improved my life. The most recent one was implementing “the one-minute rule.” Both, the one-minute rule and power hour are life changes that I’ve learned about from ‘The Happier’ podcast. I take a lot away from that podcast, but it’s these two that have been real game-changers.
As they speak about on the episode, “nothing is more exhausting than the task that’s never started.” It’s the accumulated list of small, unpleasant tasks that we keep putting off. The tasks aren’t necessarily urgent, typically the reason we tend to put them off. But, without us even realizing it, they weigh on our mind and bring us down.
For example: making that dentist appointment, doctors appoint, finishing a home project you’ve been putting off, calling the plumber, etc. You get the point. All of these tasks are not necessarily a life priority. However, in the back of our minds, we know that they’re there. Every once in awhile, we find these thoughts popping into our brain. They zap our energy and in turn, chipping away at our happiness.
Purpose of Power Hour
The purpose of power hour is to spend one hour a week (just one!) to tackle all of these looming things. Set your timer and pick one day and one hour to “bang shit out,” as Keith and I like to put it. Much like the one minute rule, the end result is feeling mentally lighter, a bit more accomplished and in a better state of mind. Yesterday was my power hour day and I made necessary doctors appoints, called my accountant and worked on several blog posts that I just never got to. None of these tasks had an actual deadline, but they were on my on going to-do list. I finished that hour feeling so accomplished. To think, all of these tasks that I’ve been putting off for months, were done in a matter of an hour.
And it feels so good to cross things off a list!
Let me know if you’ve tried it or it’s already a habit you have. If you guys have anymore helpful life hacks, please share! I live for this kind of stuff!
xo,
Helena
25 comments
Ewa Macherowska
Love your sweater! x
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
July 31, 2018Docdivatraveller
I definitely gonna try this power hour thing now! Thanks for sharing.
July 31, 2018http://www.docdivatraveller.com
Yoaila
This is an absolute necessity!
July 31, 2018Virginia
Omg. This is soo true. I have a million things in the back of my mind and like u say, they keep popping up reminding you that they’re there and needs your attention. Thanks for sharing this. I am definitely going to make this a habit and ‘bang sh** out’ such an eye opener 🙌🏽🙌🏽
July 31, 2018Natalia
I have a simila to the one minute, rule I live by every day…the 5 minute rule:) I find it works better for me. For example, folding the laundry or unloading the dishwasher, tidying up the kitchen island….it makes life so much more organized and easier when I just ask myself “will this take longer than 5 minutes? No? Then get to it!” 🙂
July 31, 2018FATOU
THIS IS A EXCELLENT IDEA! THANKS FOR SHARING.
August 1, 2018XX
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Peppermint Dolly
Consider my mind officially blown – I 100% need to do this, as the thoughts you describe creep up on me all the time – I need this change (and apparently that podcast too!!). Thanks so much for this Helena, I’m intrigued!!
Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com
August 1, 2018YZ Chan
What a great idea! I definitely need to try it out because I tend to procrastinate.
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August 1, 2018Tasfia
love the part where you said nothing is more exhausting than the task that’s never started.Crossing things off is honestly the best feeling of accomplishment. Thanks for sharing!
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August 1, 2018Chloe
This is such a great idea, definitely going to try it!
Chloe x
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Natasha
I’m definitely going to be trying this, always looking to improve on productivity.
http://www.natashantone.com | modern art & travel blog
August 2, 2018Weekly Roundup – wit & whimsy
[…] love the idea of Power Hour that Helena shares. I do something similar by not taking meetings on Mondays so I can get a lot of pesky to dos done […]
August 3, 2018Maddy
The power hour is SUCH a great idea that feels kind of natural, too — once I finally do that ONE task that’s looming, I always think “well, might as well do the other ones like that” and tick off items. Love this advice 🙂
August 5, 2018m
Love this advice, feeling inspired!
August 7, 2018Daneisha Smith
I really love this suggestion! I’m definitely going to try it out!
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August 7, 2018Fran
Def gonna try power hour…I’m the best procrastinator out there!! Love love love your blog!!!
August 7, 2018Danielle Mone
I must say I absolutely love this! Every day in my office we have a power hour but I never thought to extend that into my personal life. Such a great idea.
XOXO
August 8, 2018http://www.xoxodaniellemone.com
Connor Lazowy
Great post! That dress is so gorgeous on you, and i love the vintage flirt details of the dress. Gorgeous!
https://WWW.NOWFASHIONSHOP.COM/
August 9, 2018A Girl, A Style
I also swear by the ‘one minute rule’ (and also a 5 minute tidy up before bed + never more than 5 minutes from guest-ready), but this hack is genius! Implementing this as of tomorrow.
Briony xx
August 9, 2018Tracy
Love this life hack. My life is so busy recently, there are many things I must do and have to do. Gotta set this one power hour to my list.
August 15, 2018https://hotmail-emaillogin.com/
How I Organize My Life « The Reflection Pool
[…] I’ve heard this idea referred to as “power hour” (not the drinking game!) by others where you schedule an hour to deal with the important but mundane tasks that need be done. Another […]
August 18, 2018Samantha
I started using the one minute rule after reading your post about it! It’s so much easier to just do it now! I saw an email from my dentist that it was time for a checkup so I just called the office right then! I’ve also been much better about just putting the dang bowl or spoon or whatever in the dishwasher right when I’m done rather than waiting for the whole sink to pile up! It sounds so silly but it’s really made a difference! I can’t wait to try the power hour this weekend and check out that podcast!
August 31, 2018Jacky
Your are totally right! Once it’s on the list it’s stuck there forever and you will never cross it off although it would be the best feeling to do so! I will definitely try the „power hour“ and bet it will be life changing. Thanks for sharing 🙂
August 31, 2018Jasmina
Great rule! I kind of do that every day. As soon as it pops up in my mind I get it done. But putting it to that particular hour is more effective for sure.
September 1, 2018I love Gretchen Rubin btw- her book The Happiness Project changed a lot for me in my early twentys. Always love ideas for being more organized.
sunny
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February 9, 2019