The two-minute rule has its roots in GTD: If you can do it in less than two minutes, do it now (assuming you have no other, bigger priorities at the moment). Over at the Buffer blog, James Clear adds another rule: When you start a new habit, make your goals into two-minute bites so they’re easy to do any time.
If you’re looking over your list of to-dos or things to follow-up on, if you can do it in two minutes, jump on it and get it out of the way. If it’ll take longer than that—either because you need to research it, talk to someone else, look something up, or produce something, schedule it and get it into your productivity system so you can tackle it when you’re ready.
If you’re trying to build new habits and skills, if you make every step of the way a two-minute chunk that can be done anytime, you’ll be more likely to do it over and over again:
The Two Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it’s easier to continue doing it. I love the Two Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.
Of course, you can easily find yourself starting in on a to-do that’ll take two minutes and then working on it for ages, so be careful. You don’t want to put in an hour on a “two minute” to-do only to find yourself behind on everything else because you didn’t properly prioritize. Even so, the idea is sound, and can help you both get things done, and start on that side task you’ve been meaning to get going. Getting started is everything.
(Image Source: iCLIPART)
