I’ve seen several people online talking about 15-minute days and how you can use them to get things done fast.

The idea is to set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle a project. When the alarm rings, stop, and go on to another 15-minute project. If you know you have a larger task, you can always do two 15-minute segments in a row. But the idea is to get through a long to-do list without wasting time in between tasks.

I tried this the other day with house work. I despise cleaning, but alas, sometimes we must do these things. I set the timer on my phone and dealt with the spice cabinet. It was a mess. I emptied everything, and threw a lot of bottles directly into the trash can. I don’t think I’ve ever used a clove, so why do I have a whole jar of them? Then I wiped off the shelf and put what was left back. Voila! One task done.

I got a phone call just as I was finishing and I set the limit for this conversation to 15 minutes. I warned the person about what I was doing. I’ve never been fond of talking on the phone, and this was a nice way to catch up on some news in a short amount of time.

Then I attacked a piece of furniture that was piling up junk. Again I went at it with a trash bin by my side. Then I went over it with some polish, put a few pretty things back on it, and was done.

I went on this way with different tasks: my makeup organizer, the mountain of mail, the utensil drawer, the coffee table.

I was finished with my chores and living with less clutter in two hours. I did a power session of 15-minute segments. But think of what you could accomplish even if you only set one 15-minute goal a day. You’d have seven chores checked off your to-do list in one week.

It doesn’t have to be about housework. Set a 15-minute limit on checking email, 15 minutes of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or whatever social network you are likely to get lost in.

Set a timer and take back your day by using the 15-minute days technique.

Let me know if you try it and how it works out for you.