We have all been guilty of procrastination sneaking into our lives and stealing time from right under our noses. So we put our heads together and came up with a few things that don't actually take that long to do, in fact, mere minutes opposed to the day-long saga we often imagine.
Write your ‘big idea’ on the back of a napkin
You’d be surprised how many great ideas started their life on a scrunched-up napkin (complete with food stains if you’re lucky) with someone having scribbled their genius idea down. Tourism New Zealand’s ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ slogan was rumoured to have been conceived on an airplane napkin in 1999 and is still being used to this day. Heading into the world of showbiz, there have been many movie ideas conceived via this method, plus some other crazy and kooky ideas that have somehow worked. So, maybe it’s time to make tracks to a local cafe and unleash your big idea?
Clean out just ONE drawer in your house
The key here folks is starting with just one drawer. Just the one. It will take a matter of minutes (heck, you could even time yourself?). Make yourself three piles – recycle, giveaway or throw out and simply get stuck into it! By starting with one it will only take minutes, but you’ve done the hardest part and given yourself a taster for how good it feels. If you need any further tips on the feel-good benefits of ‘sorting your stuff’, check out the organisational guru Marie Kondo.
Getting yourself covered
People don’t often realise the benefits of health cover until it’s too late. As a New Zealand resident, it's true that you can get emergency care and treatment for serious conditions through the public health system. Relying on this alone can come with disadvantages though - you may have long wait times for treatment, you may not have access to the health provider of your choosing, and you may not receive compensation from the ACC if your condition isn't related to an accident. Having health insurance means you can get the treatment you need faster. You can get a health insurance quote online from the AA in just minutes.
Do ten star jumps a day
Jumping into the sky in a star-like fashion not only feels good but it is also a first step (or jump really), and it is with small steps that big change can begin. So try it today, your body and mind will thank you. Especially when you consider that a more sedentary lifestyle increases all causes of mortality, doubles the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity (yikes!) ,but investing in your fitness now will have you thanking yourself later.
Write down a list of the things you need to do
This is so much power in the writing of the list, here is all you need to do;
1. Find a piece of paper
2. Find a pen
3. From the top of the paper, write each of the things you need to do
4. Determine which are the most important
5. Are there any that you can quickly do and cross off to get you on a roll?
6. Complete the task/s
7. Cross the task/s off the list and revel in how GOOD it feels!
Breathe
Okay, you may want to be doing this 24/7, but slow, deep breaths can have a positive impact on your general mood. The best thing about deep breathing is that you can do it anywhere and it only takes a few minutes. Just breathe in through your nose for about six seconds and pay attention as your lower belly rises. Pause for a couple of seconds and slowly breathe out through your mouth for another six seconds. Your body will thank you for it.
Set up a share trading account
There are some fabulous online share trading apps out there that take minutes to sign up to, like Sharesies or Hatch. The beauty of these is that they are designed for the new/everyday investor. They are easy to understand and simple to follow. You can begin investing from $5 and you could consider setting up a regular weekly investment amount that goes in automatically. You could also check out NZ-made Girls who invest podcast from millennial investors Sim and Sonya to get your fun dose of investing education.
Make your own skin care
A natural home-made face mask is one of the simplest and cost-effective self-care things you can do. Fancy a brighten up? Follow these three simple steps to give yourself a Tumeric Brightening Mask.
- Mix one teaspoon of turmeric and one tablespoon of honey to make a smooth orange blend.
- Apply the mask mixture to your clean, dry face and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water then seal in the goodness with a moisturizer of choice.
And voilà! Instant bright skin.
Have an online appointment with your Doctor
We’re all a bit guilty of it – dismissing small health problems with “It’s probably nothing”. But sometimes everyday symptoms such as indigestion, tiredness, dizziness, or a persistent cough can indicate the emergence of more serious conditions. That’s why it’s important to get those small health problems treated before they become big problems. You could schedule an online call with your doctor - it takes a matter of minutes but could be so beneficial long-term (not to mention your peace of mind!).
Tell someone you love them
Quite simply, the act of telling someone you love them takes only mere seconds but the impact lasts for days. So go on, spread your love today!
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