The Big Secret of Small Habits: The Real Reason Behind the 'Micro-Efficiency' Craze
"You have to brush your teeth while showering, wear shoes without laces, and save every minute of your day." Have you ever thought about this? If you look at SNS or YouTube recently, you can see that so-called 'micro-efficiency' is deeply embedded in people's daily lives. It is a movement to save even a minute of time with a thoroughly calculated strategy for even the smallest actions. The philosophy behind a cup of tea Veronica Pullen, 54, from the UK, makes two cups of tea every time she drinks it. One cup is lukewarm with milk, and the other is perfect 40 minutes later. This way, she saves 20 minutes a day, or about 10 days over two years. Such small efficiency can make a big difference in the long run. Pullen’s habits don’t end there. She always has boiled eggs for breakfast, an omelet for lunch, and a set menu for dinner. She also repeats a set pattern for her clothes every day. This minimizes the stress of having to make new decisions every time. She says that this habit gives her enough energy to do what she wants. Why are people so obsessed with one minute? This phenomenon is by no means limited to the habits of unique individuals. The tag #LifeHack has been mentioned more than 11 million times on TikTok, and countless productivity influencers are emphasizing the “1% rule.” The best-selling book Atomic Habits preaches to the public how the cumulative effects of small habits can bring about big changes. In a social context, this micro-efficiency is not just a hobby or a trend, but also a phenomenon that reveals the pressures of modern society. Technological advancements have made it possible to do things faster, but the paradoxical situation of having more work to do in the remaining time is repeated. Psychologists interpret this as an early symptom of "active burnout." Good Habits vs. Obsessions People who pursue efficiency have various reasons. They range from people who are sick and want to save even a little energy to people who simply want to practice 'laziness' more comfortably. However, experts warn that if the habit of efficiency becomes too obsessive, it can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. Being efficient does not necessarily mean being satisfied. In fact, a British survey found that on average, people only have 23 hours a week where they feel truly free. That creates pressure to save every minute. 3 Tips for Healthy Efficiency But unconditionally pursuing efficiency is not the answer. So how should we approach healthy efficiency? Check your purpose. It is a good idea to make a clear plan on how you will use the time you save. If it ends with just saving time, efficiency will eventually lose its meaning. Allow yourself some 'looseness'. Overly strict rules can actually increase fatigue. It's also a good idea to intentionally break away from efficiency habits on weekends or vacations. Review and reset constantly. As your life circumstances change, your efficiency strategy should change as well. Periodically check whether your current habits are really meaningful to you, and if they need to be changed, do not hesitate to modify them. What really matters is not the quantity of time but the quality. "What will we do with the time we save?" This is the key question that we must not miss. The habit of saving time should ultimately be a means to make our lives happier and more meaningful. Not simply to live busy, but rather to regain leisure in life. Actually, this is a continuation of the article...
- Haebom