What is the “Two Minute Rule”, and how can it help you avoid procrastination?

Have you ever found yourself procrastinating small, theoretically easy tasks until they inevitably spiral into dreaded obstacles to your happiness?

The "two minute rule" was first established by David Allen in his book Getting Things Done. Here are the basics: If there is a task you need to do, and it will take two minutes or less, do it now. Don't delegate it to a later time, or make excuses, just do it. Whether it's making the bed, writing a short email, or putting the dishes away, as soon as you think of the task, do it. It sounds harsh, but there are several reasons to adopt this mentality.

One of the main benefits of the "two minute rule" is that it prevents small tasks from piling up, which is obvious. Another benefit of this method is that it gives you "small wins" every time you complete one of these short tasks, and gives you more motivation to reach larger goals. With smaller tasks out of the way, you are also more able to achieve these higher aspirations.

No productivity method is perfect, however. Some argue that the "two minute rule" allows people to procrastinate larger tasks by busying yourself with these smaller tasks. In my opinion, the outcome of using the "two minute rule" depends on the motivation and discipline of the user, and although it may not work for everyone, it is important to consider trying this if you are someone who struggles with procrastination.