Do you have a monumental task to accomplish, like building a new website, packing for a cross-country move, or applying for a new job? Big projects like these always overwhelm me. I was never much of a big-picture kind of person.

I feel much more comfortable breaking things down into short, manageable tasks. You’ve probably heard the old allegory about not being strong enough to break a big bundle of sticks without first snapping each twig one by one. Well, taking on a massive project can be more doable if you take it one step at a time . . . or just 15 minutes a day.

In 2013 when I was preparing to move from Lubbock, TX, to Cincinnati, OH, for a new job, I had a lot of packing to do. I knew better than waiting until the final week to get everything into boxes. Instead, I started two months out and just packed for 15 minutes a day. It was just a few boxes at a time, but it did add up. When the moving truck finally arrived, I was ready!

Fifteen minutes a day works for all kinds of tasks—big or small. 

• Do you hate cleaning the house? Just do 15-minute chores each day when you get home from work.
• Can’t remember the last time you exercised? Walk around the block for 15 minutes. You’ll probably remember how much you enjoy it expand your exercise time.
• Do you think journaling would benefit you but feel too lazy to write? Plan just 15 minutes every evening to jot down a few thoughts. You’ll probably lose track of time and end up writing several pages.

You can accomplish a lot in just 15 minutes a day. Try it yourself.