I can do a lot in 6 minutes!
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
April 3, 2011 8:41am CST
Yesterday I put a frozen dinner in the microwave, a rare indulgence for me. I had 6 minutes to wait and decided not to return to my computer--after all, it was lunchtime and work should stop!
In that 6 minutes I went upstairs to the bathroom and came back downstairs. I filled up a gallon jug of water and added it to my humidifier that I use to make the cold winter air feel warmer so I don't have to have the heat turned up so much. I opened two pieces of mail, decided they were junk and threw them away. I shredded one of those annoying offers from the bank that included checks they wanted me to use on a big ticket item so they could charge me a bunch of interest. I went outside and put some food in the bowl for the stray cats and then filled up their water bowl.
But I still had a couple of minutes left when I checked the microwave timer! I gathered up the store receipts I had entered into my checkbook earlier and put them in the box on my desk. I picked up some bills that I'd paid and filed them then wet a rag and wiped off my desk.
Ding! Lunch was ready. I was surprised at how much I could accomplish in 6 minutes, and I wasn't even trying to hurry. It just goes to show that every minute can be useful. What can you do in 6 minutes?
6 people like this
21 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
7 Apr 11
donno that I ever figured out what I could do in 6 minutes, but I can put together Maggiepie's meal in under 25 and wash the dishes and probably water the plants/cat and make gravy (okay, its prepackaged gravy but...) open and heat a veggie and a carb, either bake (nuke) a potato or make instant mashed or heat up already cooked rice.
it would be harder if I had to make rice from scratch because that's 20 minutes in the nuke
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Apr 11
It seems you did pretty well recently when you made the sandwiches, did the cat boxes and all that other stuff! 
I've never had success nuking rice. I just put in 3x more liquid than rice and let it boil then drain it, otherwise it ends up sticking to the pot. I'm not good at making rice!
I've never had success nuking rice. I just put in 3x more liquid than rice and let it boil then drain it, otherwise it ends up sticking to the pot. I'm not good at making rice!2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
21 Apr 11
Hi. dragon54u. In six minutes, I can, sweep up my kitchen floor, vacuum my living room floor, take out the trash to the trash bin outside in my yard, and pour me something cold to drink afterward. Wow! You have gotten so much done within six minutes, you are fast! When six minutes is thought about, it seems like this is not enough of time, but when you get to doing many chores, you will find that so much can be done in so little time.
When six minutes is thought about, it seems like this is not enough of time, but when you get to doing many chores, you will find that so much can be done in so little time.2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
21 Apr 11
Wow! I could probably do everything but the vacuuming, that takes me a little while. You are a great time manager!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I think actually when a person really takes their time to put their mind to something instead of just claiming they are always too busy, you can often get a lot done. I know I have a lot on my plate right now for work, etc. but meed to get more organized to where i can get my Business along with everything else going more as well.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I have been very disorganized for the past 6 weeks or so. I know I need to get back to a routine and that 6 minutes brought home to me how much I could do if I would just multi-task when the opportunity presents itself. I need to get back to making lists at night, that used to relax me and give structure to the next day. I got a lot more done that way.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
3 Apr 11
I can unload the dishwasher, and get started on loading it up again. I can wipe down counters or the stove top. I can put a load of wash in. I read somewhere about a person who used her microwave time specifically to get household chores done. It is very productive. I can alternatively feed the cats, while stepping on one of them at least twice. And then go water a houseplant or two. Wipe out the kitchen sink.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
LOL at stepping on the cats! My strays are always waiting for breakfast on the porch each morning and most of them are no longer afraid of me. Getting through the small crowd of 3-4 cats while they're twining around my legs is a dangerous journey!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
3 Apr 11
I can read 3 quarters of a discussion in 6 minutes and that being a 7 page discussion. lol..
I can do the bathroom in it's entirety while something is on the stove. I think what it amounts to is that if we do not exert so much forethought into getting things done and getting right to them we can actually save a great deal of time.
I think that if I think about what needs to be done and how to get started then I will waste a lot of time because in that thinking to get started mode I would be dreading the task. So kudos my dear you did great.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
You are so right about over-thinking things! I tend to do that a lot and usually end up procrastinating and nothing gets done. Too bad I don't use the microwave much but I'm considering setting a timer a few times a week to make it a contest of how much I can do, that will lend an element of fun and competition to it!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
It's hard to use time wisely, I know! Just take every small opportunity to get one thing done, that's what I do. I also break tasks into small parts, like cleaning a room one section at a time. The job doesn't seem so big that way!
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
3 Apr 11
Ok, then. Now you can come on over here to my house and repeat all of that procedure. My house is in a mess and I am unable to keep it as tidy as most people. I can't stand for any length of time and sitting is about as bad so I need some help with the most of the cleaning up. 
You game?
Oh, and kudos to you for getting all that done within your 6 minutes. All of that would have taken me a half a day since I have to stop after every 10-15 minutes to rest my back and neck.
You game?
Oh, and kudos to you for getting all that done within your 6 minutes. All of that would have taken me a half a day since I have to stop after every 10-15 minutes to rest my back and neck.2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Apr 11
Yoyo, I know just what you mean!! I can move around better than you but I can't stand in one place for more than a minute or so without it hurting very badly. I constantly have to shift my position in my chair and if my hip and back are bothering me too badly I have to lay down.
As long as I'm moving and can stop for a second and bend over (takes the pressure off my back) I can get along fine for about 10 minutes. I keep a folding chair in the kitchen for when I'm cooking so I can sit down and stir stuff or keep an eye on it when I need to.
Oh, my house is far from pristine!! But I do the best I can with what I have, just as you do. I was having a very good day yesterday, I love those days! One good thing about chronic pain, as I'm sure you know, is that we truly appreciate and treasure the better times.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Apr 11
im like oceanna. i can just go smoke. which i shouldnt and havent as much lately. somethings going on with my arm and shoulder lately, so not much getting done any where. i can put on coffee in the microwave, wipe off the counters, rinse some dishes and put into dishwasher. in that time probably. never counted how long. like yoyo, cant stand long without leaning for a bit. @dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
I'm in the same boat, can't stand for long. But if I'm moving around it's not so bad. Try some ginger capsules (Walmart $4 a bottle), that takes away pain for me from muscles aches and strains and even has helped muscle spasms. Within 24 hours you'll feel the difference.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
3 Apr 11
6 mins is more then I have. I know what I can do in one min. I drink hot water first thing in the morning and that means one min. in the microwave. During that time I can fill the coffee maker with water and grounds and turn it on. Then my water will be hot.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
My MIL drinks hot water in the morning because the doctor said she shouldn't have caffeine. I don't know what I'd do without my coffee in the morning--well, I do, but I don't like to think about it!
1 person likes this
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
4 Apr 11
Yeah ! You have managed your time well.
Everyday in the morning, I take 10 to 20 minutes to note down whatever I plan to do within a day.
I find out it is very useful and helpful in my life.
First of all, I can do more works and save my traveling expenses. I manage to resolve many problems in a trip within a short period.
ha! ha! ha!
Everything in my life has been compacted.
Of course, the way we live will also be more efficiency.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Apr 11
I'm a person who makes lists, too. With gas being so expensive I combine trips. My problem is that I make the lists then half the time I can't find them!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Apr 11
That's a lot! Many people can't do even that much because they are not organized. Take pride in what you can do.
1 person likes this
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
4 Apr 11
Congrats! Now you know how productive you can be. 6 minutes....I think it is just nice for me to go from "plonk" on the pillows and direct to dreamland. Quite a feat, right?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
Wow, I envy you! Even when I'm very tired and sleepy it takes me at least 30 minutes to fall asleep.
@katrinapaz (2436)
• Philippines
4 Apr 11
wow! what a great multitasker you are dragon! in 6 minutes i am able to clean our dinner table and wash 4 dishes. :) i can also get dressed and be ready in 6 minutes especially when i am running late.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
We're alike in that it doesn't take long to get dressed for something, I'm not at all fussy--as long as I'm clean and covered, I'm ready for anything!
I remember clearing off our dinner table...the kids are grown and gone and I'm single now. You're blessed to have that chore to do.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
3 Apr 11
Wow, you're a fast runner!! 
I don't take long to shower, either. It's usually just under 4 minutes for me.
I don't take long to shower, either. It's usually just under 4 minutes for me.1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
4 Apr 11
I can run the vacuum and dust my table in my living room in 6 minutes. I also can wipe down counters, clean the toilet, wash breakfast dishes, and a multitude of other chores can be accomplished in that amount of time. I could not do all of those but one or two each time. I can sweep my kitchen floor and wipe my sink counter off as I just done that a little bit ago.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
You're very efficient! Vacuuming takes me more time, as I have to sit down between rooms because of my back. But that's an impressive list of chores!
@autumndreamer (3185)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
Wow you are so great. I don't know if I can do that much in just 6 minutes no matter how much I want to! I really really want to perfect managing my time but I just cannot. I guess I am always easily distracted by other things that is why I cannot focus on what I really need to do.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Jun 11
yes its amazing. I was cleaning out the big drawer in my beside stand while my son was repairing something on my computer and in ten minutes I had straightened the drawer, thrown out wrappers and trash, and made out checks for bills, balanced my check book and put the bills in my purse to be mailed. okay and then today promptly forgot to give them to the girl at the front desk to mail.even though it is Sunday I would feel better with them already in the outgoing
mail bos.
mail bos. @bellis716 (4799)
• United States
4 Apr 11
I can start to do a half dozen things, get distracted by a dozen things that need doing and not finish any of them.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
That's my problem! I start to clean the kitchen and find something that I had intended to take to my storm room--I take that down and then see that I need to organize the room or find something else in the basement to do. When I do get back to the kitchen there might be something else to distract me! The same thing happens anywhere in the house I go!
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
3 Apr 11
In six minutes time, I can, and have, gone to the bathroom, washed my hands and face, unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher, folded a load of clothes, put a new load into the dryer, started another load in the washer, and even managed to pour myself ac up of coffee.
It's all about organizatio and good time management skills!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
You're a time management expert! Your house is surely spotless with a system like that!
@adrninistrator1 (3)
• Canada
4 Apr 11
you know what, i can swim 450-500m freestyle in 6 mins
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Apr 11
That's very impressive! Although when I think of swimming and Canada, I think of polar bears and ice floes. I know that's inaccurate but it just makes me think of COLD!
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