The Two-Minute Rule: A Simple Hack for Beating Procrastination
Procrastination is the thief of time. We all struggle with delaying important tasks at some point. When you find yourself putting something off that really needs to get done, try employing the two-minute rule. This simple method can help overcome the tendency to procrastinate and build momentum to crush your to-do list.
The two-minute rule states that if a task will take two minutes or less to complete, do it right away. Don’t put it off. Minor tasks like replying to a quick email, filing a document, or tidying up your workspace often take just a couple of minutes but tend to pile up if left undone. By completing these micro tasks immediately, you gain a small win and avoid the hassle of them accumulating into a big, undone job that feels overwhelming.
Getting started is often the hardest part of any task, no matter the size. The two-minute rule helps you overcome procrastination inertia by making it easy to dive right into your work through little bursts of productivity. Once you’ve started, you’ll usually find that you continue working for longer than two minutes. You build up momentum and motivation to keep checking items off your list.
Using the two-minute rule, break down big, complex tasks into smaller milestones. If there’s a project you’ve been putting off, start by accomplishing two minutes of work on it. Maybe you write the first few paragraphs of that report or code the initial features for a new app. Starting small will make the work seem more achievable and less intimidating. You can then continue working beyond the initial two minutes.
