Every now and then, I like to watch Guy’s Grocery Games—that fast-paced cooking
competition on Food Network hosted by Guy Fieri. Have you seen it?
In this show, contestants are given a limited amount of time (usually around 30 minutes) to cook a meal based on a fun or quirky theme—like “midnight snack,” “leftover remix,” or “budget battle.”
But it’s not just about cooking. They also have to race through the store to shop for ingredients, whip up their dish, and get it beautifully plated for the judges, all before time runs out.
And somehow… they always pull it
off.
Sure, not every dish is perfect. Sometimes the chicken’s a little underdone or the garnish is forgotten in the rush. But overall, these chefs manage to think quickly, stay focused, and finish something pretty impressive—all under pressure.
That got me thinking: What if we applied that same idea to our organizing goals? Too often, we give ourselves endless time to get things done. We say, “I’ll tackle the hall closet when I have a free afternoon” or “One of these weekends, I’ll sort through those boxes in the basement.”
But without a clear deadline, those projects can sit untouched for weeks—or even years.
Instead, imagine treating it like a game. Give yourself a
challenge:
“I have 20 minutes to declutter the bathroom cabinet.”
“I’ll sort the pantry before the laundry finishes drying.”
“Before my next grocery trip, I’ll clean out the fridge.”
Setting a time limit forces us to make decisions, stay focused, and avoid overthinking. Just like in Guy’s Grocery Games, we don't have time to wander
aimlessly—we grab what we need, stay on task, and make it happen.
Try this strategy the next time you feel stuck. Set a timer, make it a race, and give yourself a small reward when you’re done. You might be amazed by how much you can accomplish when the clock is ticking.
On another note...
