How many times has this happened to you: You’re sitting on your phone scrolling through social media and suddenly remember there was something you needed to do, so you tell yourself you’ll get up in a few minutes to go do it.
A few minutes goes by, then a few more, and a few more. Now you no longer remember what you were supposed to do. How can we overcome our self inflicted procrastination?
Often the hardest step is getting started. When we are faced with a seemingly large undertaking, we are more likely to procrastinate. So why don’t we start with something small? The 2-minute rule can change our productivity and help us stop procrastinating.
What is the 2-Minute Rule and Why Does it Work?
The 2-minute rule is a concept that if we are faced with a task that will take two minutes or less, we should do it immediately rather than postponing it for later. This can help alleviate stress building from a long to-do list.
The 2-minute rule works because it is a small task that you can complete quickly, so it is easier to convince yourself to do it. This can help create a habit of completing tasks when we think of it, rather than pushing them off until later. Not only does it help with procrastination, but it can actually increase productivity.
As I mentioned before, the hardest part of almost any task is getting started. By doing a small, two minute task, our brain is already in working mode, allowing us to carry the momentum to the next task. (See The Progress Principle)
Let’s say that you need to clean your room. Instead of looking at the room as a whole, which could be a large task and take 30 minute to an hour, just clean one section. For me this is normally picking up the dirty clothes and putting them in a hamper. Once you complete that, move to the next small task. Eventually, the whole room will be clean, and by starting with a few small tasks, you were able to change your mindset from procrastination to work.
After implementing this rule into my life, I have seen an decrease in my procrastination. That doesn’t mean I don’t procrastinate anymore, but it has significantly decreased.
Next time you think of a task that will take less than two minutes, do it straight away and see what changes this rule might bring to your life.
