“I know what I need to do. I just can’t make myself do it.” That’s a statement I’ve heard more times than I could count in my therapy office.

Procrastination is a bad mental habit and that can get worse over time. But the 10-minute rule can help you develop the self-discipline you need to tackle those tasks and get more done.

The Reason We Procrastinate

We put off the tasks that cause discomfort–physical or emotional. Whether it’s a difficult phone call you don’t want to make or a budgeting sheet that will make you come to terms with your spending habits, you might find 101 things you’d rather do. So, you tell yourself you’ll do it “later” or you’ll tackle those jobs “someday.”

But the clock never actually strikes “later” and the calendar never turns to “someday.” So those tasks continue to get put off longer and longer.

How to Use the 10-Minute Rule

Getting started is usually the toughest part of any task. And the 10-minute rule is the key to getting started.

Simply tell yourself, “I’m going to do this for 10 minutes. Once I get to the 10-minute mark, I’ll decide whether to keep going.” Nine times out of ten, you’ll decide to keep going long past the 10 minutes.

Why the 10-Minute Rule Works

Have you ever dreaded completing a task that only took 20 minutes for five hours? The anxiety is eliminated by the 10-minute rule.

Eliminating dread might be the key to functioning at your best because dread is the most challenging feeling to tolerate, according to study. Therefore, the 10-minute rule will enable you to get started on a work right away rather than wasting time wallowing in fear.

The 10-minute rule also works since it aids in blocking out those too pessimistic ideas.

When you don’t want to do anything, you probably imagine it to be worse than it actually is in your head. Maybe you picture yourself being too worn out to exercise. Alternatively, you can foresee your utter frustration when attempting to complete your taxes. These ideas affect your actions and encourage you to continue putting off tasks.

The 10-minute rule directly contradicts those ideas. And once you begin going, there’s a strong chance you’ll be able to keep going.

Talk Yourself Into Getting Started

The next time you find yourself looking for an excuse to put something off, tell yourself, “I’ll try it for 10 minutes.” You can do anything for 10 minutes.

Eventually, you’ll train your brain to think differently. It’ll become a habit to dive in and get to work.