A quick dishwasher experiment with my kids revealed how much we overestimate everyday tasks—and why setting a timer matters.
How Long Does It Actually Take?
Have you ever thought about how long some things actually take? Like unloading the dishwasher, washing the dishes, or loading the laundry? We often assume they take much longer than they really do. That’s why we procrastinate and don’t want to do those simple tasks.
Let’s Set A Timer
Once, I asked my son to unload the dishwasher. He said he didn’t have time and wanted to do it later. I asked him how long he thought it would take. He said, “Ten minutes.” I disagreed and said it would take two minutes—although I wasn’t completely sure, because I had never actually timed it.
My other son supported his brother and said there was no way I could do it in two minutes. We all became curious, so we decided to do an experiment and set a timer. I was the one who unloaded the dishwasher, and it took me exactly two minutes. I even tried not to rush and did it at my normal pace.
My kids watched in amazement and couldn’t believe their eyes. They truly thought unloading the dishwasher was a big deal!
It Is Not About Magic
When I finished, my son said, “Mom, do you know that you’re not allowed to use magic outside Hogwarts?”
So next time you’re about to do something, try not to guess how long it will take—set a timer instead. You might be surprised to discover that the daunting task you’ve been putting off for hours, days, or even weeks takes far less time than you imagined.
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