If you have ever put off washing the dishes, changing the sheets, or cleaning the refrigerator because of you think it will take forever — this post is for you.
The real problem? Our mind is a great queen when it comes to time. But I have a fun fix that will trick your brain, boost your motivation, and clean your home in record time.
Welcome to my show style test: “How Long Does It Actually Take?” 🎉
Parkinson’s Law: The Productivity Secret You Don’t Use
Let’s start with the actual MVP of this concept: Parkinson’s Law.
Parkinson’s Law says “The work is increasing to fill the time available for its completion.”
Translation? If you think the job will take an hour, it will. But if you only give yourself 10 minutes, you’ll probably do it in 10.
We tested this idea – with real jobs and a timer!
Game Rules: How to Play “How Long Does It Really Take?”
Want to play with you at home? Here’s how:
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Choose an activity you’ve been avoiding.
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Guess how much you are think it will take.
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Set a timer.
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Race to finish it before the timer goes off.
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Surprise yourself with your efficiency.
Let’s jump into the results!
1. Dreaded Dishes
🕒 Average: 15–20 minutes
🎯 My goal: 8 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 3 minutes, 14 seconds
I fully expected this to take forever. I had to unload the dishwasher, reload it, and wash the pots by hand. But if I start running the clock? Boom. Done in over 3 minutes.
Important priorities: When you move in a hurry, you move fast – and smart.
2. Dust (Swiffer for the Win)
🕒 Average: 10–15 minutes
🎯 My goal: 2 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 1 minute, 40 seconds
Swiffer duster in hand, I zipped through furniture, legs, crevices – even tickled a few thighs. And it took less than two minutes. Why have I been avoiding this?
3. Sorting a Mountain of Washing
🕒 Average: 30 minutes
🎯 My goal: 16 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 12 minutes, 49 seconds
I had saved them the whole family. Usually, I convinced myself that I needed a solid 30-40 minutes. But with only 17 minutes before the live video, I quickly watched it. I sorted everyone’s piles, matched socks (ugh), and put mine away. Victory!
4. Cleaning the Refrigerator
🕒 Average: 1 hour
🎯 My goal: 10 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 12 minutes
Okay, this one probably hit me. I scrubbed the drawers, threw out the expired chili, wiped down the shelves. I went a little over my guess, but still – it took less time than expected.
Character: Even “big” tasks aren’t as long as your brain makes them out to be.
5. Bathing the Entire Basement
🕒 Average: 15–20 minutes
🎯 My goal: 9 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 4 minutes
With my trusty spray mop, I crushed this one. Living room, office, gym – all in less than 5 minutes. If you’re still dragging the bucket, I promise: spray mops are life-changing.
6. Deep-Cleaning the Bathroom
🕒 Average: 15 minutes
🎯 My goal: 12 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 8 minutes, 21 seconds
Mirrors, toilet, and the dreaded glass shower – cleaned and defeated in less than 9 minutes. The spray-and-halk-away cleaner helped a lot. (You can just mix bleach and ammonia unless you want to get out. Please.)
7. Washing Windows (Yes, Really)
🕒 Average: 45 minutes
🎯 My goal: 17 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 11 minutes
This blew my mind. I was cleaning every window I could reach in 11 minutes – and I thought this was a whole Saturday’s work. No. One good wash and scrub = glowing results.
8. Preparing Meals for the Week
👫 Team Effort: Me + Joe
🎯 Goal: 20 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 19 minutes, 53 seconds
Joe crushed this one! We prepared five days of lunch for a family of five in less than 20 minutes. Collaboration + focus = fridge full of food and no stress at mealtimes.
9. Changing Sheets (Duvet included 😩)
🕒 Rating: Who knows, bad
🎯 My Goal: 6 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 7 minutes, 45 seconds
Who invented the duvet cover? That’s them even worse. Still, even with the blanket-in-a-blanket melt, the entire bed was fresh and made in less than 8 minutes.
10. Car Cleaning
🕒 Average: 15 minutes
🎯 My Goal: 5 minutes
⏱ Actual Time: 4 minutes
Trash removed, hand wipe, shiny surfaces. I even got a mini skateboard (because of course I did). It felt amazing – and it only took 4 minutes. Why am I avoiding this again?
The 3 Ps of Beating Procrastination
All of this research has proven something BIG – and it’s bottom line 3 Psalm:
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The problem = Procrastination. He is afraid of them, so he delays them.
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Principle = Parkinson’s law. Work is growing to fill the time you have given us.
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It’s a promise = You it can be do more in less time – if you try.
Don’t just read this, actually try it!
Choose an activity you’ve been avoiding. Guess how long it will take. Then cut that time in half and set a timer. See what happens.
Most of our resistance to cleaning and organizing isn’t about the work – it’s about how much time it takes think it will take. But when we reduce the time, the work also decreases. That’s the magic of Parkinson’s Law.
So go ahead – hit the clock. Play the game.
And get yourself a clean and organized home ✨
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