Trying to learn something new can be intimidating. Actually, at times it can be overwhelming. Whether you're attempting to conquer Cantonese, trying to master macrame or embarking on an online course, the sheer scope of the project when looked at as a whole can make you feel like giving up before you've even begun.
This is where the “Just 10 Minutes” rule comes in - a simple yet powerful approach to learning that puts you back in control and makes progress feel effortless.
Starter for 10
Instead of staring down the barrel of hours, days and weeks of study or practice, this method encourages you to start with a project goal of just 10 minutes. Even the thought of long study sessions or months of commitment can lead to mental fatigue which, in turn, leads to procrastination.
This bite-sized commitment is psychologically more manageable and helps you to build momentum while staying focused and consistent. By focusing on short but intense learning sessions, you remove the pressure of looking at what can seem to be an insurmountable task - and achieve your goal through smaller compounded efforts.
Whether you're learning through books, videos, or structured but flexible
online courses, this strategy has proven results.
Why It Works (the science bit)
There are several psychological and practical reasons why the “Just 10 Minutes” rule works and we'll look at some of these here.
- Off the starting blocks - They say that the first step is always the hardest and they ain't just whistling Dixie. Getting started can be really hard when viewing an entire project whereas committing to just 10 minutes feels much more manageable.
- Slow and steady - When you take your project 10 minutes at a time it helps you to get into a rhythm and, over time, make these short sessions a natural part of your routine.
- A marathon not a sprint - Taking your project one small step at a time reduces the risk of frustration and exhaustion. This, in turn, makes your project more enjoyable - meaning that you're much more likely to keep going and, ultimately, finish it.
- The finish line - The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological principle which states that we remember unfinished tasks much more clearly than finished ones. A 10 minute learning session gets those neurons firing and leaves you wanting more - which makes it so much easier to pick it up again and gain forward momentum.
How to Apply the 10-Minute Rule
1. One at a time
The first - and most important - rule is to choose just one new thing to learn. Whether your new passion is a new language, a musical instrument, creative writing or coding, you're setting yourself up to fail if you attempt more than one project at a time. The key is to focus on one thing and then to not just learn to do it but learn to do it well. Spreading your time and energy too thin will rarely result in success.
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2. Set a Timer for 10 Minutes
When we say 10 minutes, we mean 10 minutes - use your phone, a stopwatch, or a Pomodoro-style timer to keep yourself accountable. Remember that every one of those 10 minutes belongs to your new project - so no distractions or multitasking allowed (answering that text or checking the news can wait).
3. Use Active Learning Techniques
Make sure you get the most out of your short session by fully engaging with the material. The following will help here:
- Summarize what you've learned in your own words
- Test yourself with micro-quizzes or recall exercises
- Practice by doing, rather than just reading or watching as this is usually the most effective way of learning
4. Clocking off
Timing your 10 minutes means that, once the buzzer goes you have permission to stop - but that doesn't mean you have to. It may be that once you've started, you're “in the zone” - in which case carry on rather than wasting all that lovely momentum. By giving ourselves permission we give ourselves options - and you may well find that you opt to keep going. If not, stop guilt-free, knowing you've still made progress.
5. Rinse and repeat
Progress can be made on your project this way however regularly you perform your 10 minute ritual. However, daily sessions are usually more effective. Consistency is key. A single 10-minute session may seem like nothing, but doing it daily adds up quickly. For example; that's over an hour of learning in just a week - and nearly five hours a month. In a week, that's over an hour of learning; all without it feeling like a chore or getting in the way of your other responsibilities.
Real-Life Examples of the 10-Minute Rule in Action
We can guess what you're thinking - that's all very well in theory, but what about in practice? OK, here are some real life examples of the 10 minute rule in action:
- Language Learning: Instead of overwhelming yourself with hour-long sessions of conjugating verbs, spend 10 minutes practicing your new vocabulary by recording yourself on your phone or speaking with a language partner
- Fitness & Exercise: Exercise is one of the hardest things to get started with - but it doesn't have to be. Start with 10 minutes of movement first thing in the morning by doing some simple stretching exercises. Once this becomes part of your routine, you can then progress to more challenging physical activities
- Writing & Creativity: Want to improve your writing? Set a timer and free-write for 10 minutes each day. It doesn't matter if what you write isn't quite Shakespeare, it's the discipline that counts
- Learning an Instrument: Instead of long, draining practice sessions, pick up your instrument for just 10 minutes and focus on one technique at a time
One small step...
As humans, we're really good at making excuses for not doing something - “I don't have the time”, “it's too difficult” and “[My favorite series] is on!” being some common ones. The beauty of the “Just 10 Minutes” rule is in its flexibility. This rule lowers the barrier to entry for those with little time or motivation.
Our brains (and bodies) are much more receptive to the idea of doing something for a short length of time than a grueling chunk of our day. Whatever you're trying to learn, you'll almost certainly find that once you get going, you won't want to stop; in which case feel free to reset your timer or turn it off altogether. If, however, 10 minutes proves to be long enough, you're free to put your project down and get on with your day knowing that you've achieved something, however small.
