Stop Procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’
The 2-minute rule comes from David Allen’s bestselling book, “Getting Things Done“. The goal of the two-minute rule is to overcome procrastination and idleness by taking quick action. The 2–Minute Rule isn’t about the results you achieve, but rather about the process of actually doing the work. This article delight paves you the way to Stop Procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’.
What is the two-minute rule?
Coined by David Allen in Getting Things Done, the two-minute rule states that
“If an action will take less than two minutes, it should be done at the moment it’s defined.”
The gist of the 2-minute rule is that if something will take two minutes or less to complete, you should just do it. Don’t think about it, don’t add it to your to-do list, don’t put it off for later. Just do & Knock it out.
Psychology behind the two-minute rule is that it will take longer to organize it and review it than it would be to actually finish it the first time you notice it. It just helps you knock things off your to-do list. By simply recognizing that we can get the task done quickly if only we take action, we stop planning to do the task, dreading doing the task, and ruminating about the task.
How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’
Here are a few everyday tasks you can apply the rule to and Stop Procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’
Never hold up communication with these two-minute responses:
Responding to an email
Responding to a work message
Reply to a text message ( note that you don’t fall off to long conversation )
Provide a requested approval or sign-off
Use audio-to-text dictation to respond to texts and messages more quickly
Get rid of chores
Wash the dishes you just used
Organize your home office desk
Water the plants
Sanitize your mouse and keyboard
Get rid of digital clutter
Delete apps cluttering your phone’s home screen
Organize your computer desktop
Empty your computer trash folder
Unsubscribe from annoying emails
Staying in touch and showing you care
Send them a quick email or message
Say something kind to a person in your life
Send someone a note when you enjoy or appreciate their work
Small parts of big tasks or goals
Want to become a better writer? Just write one sentence (2–Minute Rule)
Want to eat healthier? Just eat one piece of fruit (2–Minute Rule)
Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of a new book (2–Minute Rule)
Want to run three times a week? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, just get your running shoes on and get out the door (2–Minute Rule)
Cons of stop procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’
The only major con of the two-minute rule is that it has productivity-squashing risk. If we’re not careful, we can find ourselves completing two-minute tasks when we should be prioritizing a long stretch of focus. Quickly popping into our inbox to respond to an email is a distraction when we’re meant to be preparing for an upcoming presentation. However, the two-minute rule can be implemented with care to avoid the trap of context switching.
So, Block off time for focused work!!
Final Takeaways : Stop Procrastinating by Using the ‘2-Minute Rule’
‘2-Minute Rule’ is a simple technique to ensure your small tasks don’t become big headaches. Many of us face with a quick task and choose to put it off for later or avoid it indefinitely. Unfortunately, this becomes a habit loop we enforce again and again, opting to procrastinate on our tasks instead of processing them. But sticking with the two-minute rule can pave a new neural pathway to stop procrastination. Of course, we shouldn’t read “two minutes” too literally here. The main point is that if the effort of remembering to do a task later is more effort than actually doing it, just do it now – get it done!
For more insights : Read “Getting Things Done” ( https://amzn.to/3sFzqkd )
Read also : The Butterfly Effect | How does it affect our everyday life ? ( https://thebrightdelights.com/the-butterfly-effect-how-does-it-affect-our-everyday-life/ )