The 15-Minute Method: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Getting It Done

by Sam Bennett

Feeling overwhelmed? Procrastinating, then frantically pushing to get everything done? The good news is that healthy productivity is not about doing more. It’s about doing more of what matters. Modern life has us feeling swamped, unsure how to move forward on goals and dreams while still managing the day-to-day. And then there are all those other things still on the the garage needs cleaning, those photos need organizing, and the emails, the emails, the emails . . .

Sam Bennett presents a radically simple small actions, the kind you can do in 15 minutes, are enough to move the needle on your levels of joy and satisfaction — and ultimately change your life. Sam guides you from overwhelm to accomplishment by showing you how to:

• let go of perfectionism, self-doubt, impostor syndrome, and other destructive patterns
• manage when life feels out of control due to health or family concerns
• break intimidating projects into a series of manageable tasks
• tactfully say no to extra work when people put you on the spot
• take a quarter of an hour a day for yourself to create new routines that support a balanced life

Genres: Nonfiction, Productivity

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Toby Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25428078 stars rounded up since I appreciated what the author was going for with this book. It was just a bit too scattered for my liking

[Madison Sowle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am fifty-fifty with this book. I enjoyed that she has great questions, tips, definitions, ah ha moments, and it is easy to follow along. However, there was some fluff in here I did not necessarily care for or commentary that I didn’t think added any value. Would I read it again? Maybe. I would read over the areas that I put tabs on because I do feel those add value and I can apply to my life easily. It’s just kind of wishy washy for me unlike my response to Atomic Habits where I knew I really enjoyed it. Love-hate relationship I suppose.

[Zoya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first half but not the second half

[Allison Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked that this book starts with accepting the chaos we all live in. and really appreciated the "do this, not that" directness and can say, it actually worked. Working in 15-minute spurts, I completed a project that's been overdue for a month. I stepped off a volunteer role that kept expanding and always seemed to conflict with family time... something I've been wanting to do for months but I felt bad about it. Using these methods, I finally took a few minutes (15 in fact), wrote a single email without guilt, and didn't even feel the need to justify my decision. what a relief!

Now, my "do this" list is clearer, and getting those things done is easier. Plus, I'm doing more of the things that make me happy.

Highly recommend, especially for anyone battling guilt, franticness, kids' sports schedules, kids' homework demands, and for small business owners who never turn off the lights.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started off reading this slowly as the book features short chapters that have a 15 minute experiment and a challenge at the end. I very shortly found that I wanted to just keep reading to capture Sam's words of wisdom. I got a big a-ha when she suggested one of the reasons for procrastination is that you are bored. That was exactly what was going on with me.

She also shares more personal stories in this one than in her previous books. She developed long-Covid and it really gave her more space to be philosophical in this one. It's still immensely practical but I enjoyed the chapter where she talked about what she found useful in Stoic philosophy. It is definitely a book that deals with the realities of our post-pandemic world. Highly recommend.

[Brendan Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 15-Minute Method by Sam Bennett is a solid read for anyone struggling with procrastination or getting things done. The book offers a simple yet effective approach to tackling tasks in just 15-minute bursts, which makes everything feel less overwhelming. I love how practical and straightforward it is – no gimmicks, just real advice. It’s easy to apply in daily life, and you can start seeing results right away. While some of the ideas feel a bit basic, it’s definitely worth reading if you need help getting more productive without burning out. Overall, a helpful and motivating book!

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raced through this book, and now I look forward to savoring it over time as I implement Sam's 15 minute method in my life. She has written something that is powerful and yet so simple, while also making it incredibly accessible for anyone, wherever their life is right now.

[Jenn. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook borrowed from GR Hoopla. Excellent narrator. Abandoned about an hour in. While an interesting concept, just not what I was expecting or interested in right now. May pick up again sometime in the future.

[KotKulturowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zadziwiająco rozsądne. Kilka naprawdę dobrych pytań i pomysłów, które kradnę. Po tytule się nie zapowiadało

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book I stumbled upon and listened to during my commute. There are a few good points, nothing earth shattering. 1. everyone can find 15 minutes a day to set aside to work towards a goal. 2. 15 minutes a day adds up over time. 3. get over your preconceived notions.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Stephanie Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

it contained some useful advice but at times the authors quips were aggravating and unhelpful

[Jamie Hursey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book you need.