10 Simple Rules That Quietly Make Your Life Easier (Most People Ignore #7)

On a whim, I am checking out CLAUDE.

This AI tool is supposed to make curating easy. When I asked it to create a list of 10 practical tips, it came up with the list below. It turns out I am already using many of the ideas in the kit. Some of these tips I did not recognize as things I regularly do.

I have been using #2 for years, but never knew it was a thing.

Attached are my thoughts. The original text is below:

1. The Two Minute Rule – I feel like I already do this a lot. If it’s easy and quick, I get it done. This shortens my to-do list. It will increase positive endorphins, because I can put it on my to-do list, and then cross it off.
2. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule for Eye Health – From my home office window. I have all my bird feeders stationed. Every so often, I stop what I am doing and look out the window at the birds. I positioned the bird feeders so they would be visible from the front porch and my office window. I didn’t know I was such a trend setter.
3. Prepare Tomorrow Tonight – I sort of do this most of the time, I keep track of laundry and always have a plan for clean clothes the next day. I hang my pants on a device that lets me take the next pair each morning. Shirts are the same way, in order of use. Now, if I could only get better at packing my lunch.
4. Use the Pomodoro technique – 25 focused minutes, followed by 5 minutes of rest. For me, it is hard to break when I am finally in the zone. Based on this, I should have stopped for a five-minute break 15 minutes ago.
5. Keep a “parking lot” Note – I have done this for years. I will jot down a thought, so I can work on it later. Generally, this happens as I am falling asleep, but I will generate ideas anytime. By jotting down the idea, I know it is safe, and I can think about it later. Then I can go to sleep, or continue my activity with the knowledge that I can come back and explore that idea later.
6. Follow the 50/30/20 Budget Rule – I am working on a 10 Minute a week simple budget. This emphasizes making sure the “must pays” get paid each time money comes in. It is also good at socking away a few dollars for an “oh my god” event. I’m still working on this, but I like a budget that is not judgmental.
7. Learn to Say “Let me check and get back to you.” – This goes back to the whole idea of making time for you, and really considering your own needs. By giving yourself time to think through the request, you are able to make a better decision. This usually results in everyone being happier, including yourself.
8. Use the “Two-Day Rule” for Habits – I know that it takes 21 days to create a habit. But I wasn’t aware that two missed days could crush a new habit. It makes sense. Giving yourself the day off from anything puts control in your hands, but by not continuing the momentum into the second day, I can see where consistency can fail.
9. Practice Active Listening – Before I retired, I would pick moments and test this out. Understanding the speaker is a skill not everybody possesses. I can see how, with practice, one can get better at it. I remember making a conscious effort to listen and ask questions. Each time, I would learn more about the person or their unique situation.  This can have longer-term positive effects than waiting for the person to stop talking, so you can interject what you want to say.
10. Apply the “One-Touch” Email Rule – I am not very good at this tip. Once, at work, I spent more than a few hours getting my inbox down to zero. I managed to maintain that for several days. Then I had a day off, and I lost it. With my home emails, I won’t even begin to tell you how many thousand emails I have clogging my inbox. But I have a system that works for me. If Google changes the rules, then I will focus again on this.

Claude may be on to something.

Yet I believe that I have already created systems around simple rules that make my life easier. And while I don’t call them all what Claude does, that doesn’t mean they aren’t valid or work well for me. 

Thank you, Claude, for curating this list.

Here are the 10 practical tips worth using in daily life:

1. The 2-Minute Rule

If a task takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately instead of putting it off. This prevents small tasks from accumulating into overwhelming to-do lists.

2. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule for Eye Health

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This reduces eye strain from screen time.

3. Prepare Tomorrow Tonight

Lay out clothes, pack your bag, and review your schedule before bed. Your morning self will thank you for the reduced decision fatigue.

4. Use the Pomodoro Technique

Work in focused 25-minute intervals followed by 5-minute breaks. This improves concentration and prevents burnout.

5. Keep a “Parking Lot” Note

When distracting thoughts pop up during focused work, quickly jot them down to address later rather than losing focus immediately.

6. Follow the 50/30/20 Budget Rule

Allocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment for better financial health.

7. Learn to Say “Let me check and get back to you.”

Instead of immediately saying yes or no to requests, give yourself time to consider and respond thoughtfully.

8. Use the “Two-Day Rule” for Habits

Never allow yourself to skip a habit two days in a row. This maintains momentum while allowing for occasional flexibility.

9. Practice Active Listening

Focus entirely on understanding the speaker rather than planning your response. This dramatically improves relationships and communication.

10. Apply the “One-Touch” Email Rule

When you open an email, try to handle it immediately: reply, delete, file, or schedule it for action. This keeps your inbox manageable.