Coined by David Allen in Getting Things Done
The Two Minute Rule: Just do it!
If the next action can be done in two minutes or less, do it when you first pick it up
- This is a defense against procrastination and letting the small things in work and life add up.
- Following this guideline can spring us into action, completing tasks quickly instead of leaving them forever undone.
Completing quick tasks
- What could be a quick task we complete right way can become a point of procrastination
- A tiny to-do can take on a life of its own in our minds, haunting us as we drink our morning coffee and nagging us through the night.
Advantages of the two minute rule Contd.
It creates momentum through tiny wins
- When you complete a small task, you feel a sense of accomplishment that propels you towards the next task
- Action begets more action and the two-minute rule can be the catalyst for completing a chain of small tasks that amount to much more
It builds a bias towards action
- Following the two-minute rule builds a habit of attacking tasks head-on rather than letting them languish on your list.
Flexibility
- People can expand or shrink time allotted as they see fit
- Two minutes is a guideline, you can extend it to five or ten minutes if you have a long open window of time
- You can also shorten it to one minute or thirty seconds if you need to get to the bottom of all your input rapidly
Avoiding context switching
- There’s a time and a place to implement the two-minute rule
- Use it carefully when engaging with new input or when dealing with a random intersection in the hallway
- It should be implemented with care to avoid the trap of context switching
Teamwork on your time
- Tackle tasks as soon as they arise or shortly thereafter to avoid them building up in the first place.
Starting a big task
- Break down big projects into quick bites to get started and sustain momentum
- Plan big, execute small
- Use sub-tasks in Todoist to break sprawling projects into manageable tasks
- The next time you feel the pull to procrastinate, identify something you can do in just two minutes
Focused work
Block off time for focused work
- Ensure your focused time is bound with definite stop; having an end time is psychologically satisfying, avoids drifting into distraction, and can be motivating
- Jerry Seinfeld once said, “If you’re going to sit down at a desk with a problem, you’ve got to get a reward for that.”
Carve out time for two-minute tasks
- During periods of structured procrastination, the two minute rule can be effective
- Focus on quick to-dos to help you get to the bottom of your to-do list
- With enough time and persistence build a habit of doing instead of avoiding
The advantages of the two-minute rule
The Pomodoro Technique is an anti-method with many of the perks (and productive returns) of a full-fledged system
- With the two-minute rule, there’s no complex workflow, 4×4 grid, or inbox to input your tasks.
- Do the quick task quickly
- For anyone who is tired of process and procedure, this rule is easy to follow and can be implemented immediately
