April is synonymous with new beginnings and spring cleaning, so what better time to share with you all my favorite trick for keeping your life free of clutter and chaos.

The best thing of all? It’s the simplest little trick, and its effects require no upkeep.

If it takes less than two minutes, do it now.

The dirty pan that’s been sitting in the sink? Just clean it now. Setting out your clothes for tomorrow? Do it now. That email reply you’ve been meaning to send for three weeks now? (I’d be willing to bet it would take you less than two minutes, honest) — Do it now.

I’m the first person to toss my lunchbox on the counter after a long day at work and promptly forget about it. I’m the first to throw a pile of clean clothes on the floor instead of put them in my closet that is two feet away. My motto has always been “I’ll get to it later”, when it takes just as much time and energy — if not less — to hang my pants on their hanger instead of folding them and stuffing them on the shelf below.

Why waste your time worrying about all of the stuff you have to do later when you can just get it done now?