You might not think a single minute could have much impact, but it can actually determine whether you complete two tasks efficiently or struggle through both. This concept is especially relevant in legal editing, where interruptions are common and focus is critical.
Why a Minute Matters: The Psychology of Task Switching
A study published in Organization Science and featured in the Harvard Business Review looked at how office workers manage interruptions. The findings showed that two key factors influence how well we return to an interrupted task:
-
The amount of time available to complete the original task after the interruption.
-
Whether a brief plan is created to resume the task later.
Researchers coined this brief planning strategy the “Ready-to-Resume Plan”—and it takes only a minute to implement.
They described two helpful strategies for managing interruptions:
1. Memory for Goals
Right after someone realizes they’re about to be interrupted—but before turning to the new task—is a window of opportunity. During this moment, you can strengthen your memory of the original task. A small visual cue, such as a checkmark or note where you paused, acts as a “task marker” and helps you pick up where you left off.
2. Ready-to-Resume Plan
This quick, intentional moment of reflection—taking note of what you were doing and how you’ll get back to it—helps your brain let go of the task more comfortably. This makes it easier to focus fully on the interruption and smoothly transition back later.
Bringing These Methods into Your Work Routine
Whether you use task markers or Ready-to-Resume Plans, the key is to pause for just one minute before switching tasks. In that time, jot down your place in the original task. This allows your brain to disengage temporarily and give better attention to the new demand.
When you’re ready to return, that brief note or marker helps you re-engage more quickly and accurately. In the end, this short pause benefits both the original and the interrupting tasks.
Legal Editing: A Task-Switching Minefield
Legal editing requires clear thinking and deliberate focus—and involves several layers of review. Whether you’re deep-diving into substance or scanning for surface errors, it’s essential to know what kind of editing you’re doing from the outset.
Each editing phase demands a different skillset and mindset. Trying to do everything at once overloads your working memory and leads to inefficient, error-prone editing due to constant task-switching.
To avoid this, group your editing tasks into logical stages:
-
Substantive editing – Focus on structure, organization, and clarity.
-
Sentence-level editing – Refine tone, word choice, and flow.
-
Proofreading and mechanics – Catch grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors.
Approach each stage separately, treating them as distinct phases. Within each phase, break down tasks into checklists to guide your review. You may need to cycle through phases more than once to get the results you want.
Use the One-Minute Rule in Legal Editing
Once you’ve defined your editing stages and checklists, interruptions become easier to manage. Suppose you’re in the middle of editing and a notification pops up or a colleague approaches—don’t shift your attention immediately.
Instead, take one minute to note where you are in the editing process and what you planned to do next. This simple habit allows your mind to temporarily shift gears without losing track of your progress. When you return, you’ll re-enter the task more smoothly and continue with greater accuracy.
