Remember 'The 2-Minute Rule'

“Do you procrastinate?” I certainly do!

I start one thing with good intentions, become distracted and a week or so later resume where I left off. This drives my wife crazy!  If this sounds like you, then perhaps ‘The 2-Minute Rule’ which is helping me to crush procrastination will help you too.

It's a simple strategy adopted from David Allen's book, ‘Getting Things Done’ that could change your life for the better. The goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing and finish them. Most of the tasks that you procrastinate on aren't actually difficult to do -- you know you have the talent and skills to accomplish them -- you just avoid starting and completing them for one reason or another. The 2-Minute Rule overcomes procrastination by making it so easy to start taking action that you can't say no. Here's what you need to know:

Part 1: If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.

It's surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. For example, shining your shoes before a job interview, dialling the number for the phone call to get assistance, reviewing your résumé before sending it out, and so on. If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow this rule and do it right now.

Part 2: When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not. But, every goal can be started in two minutes or less. That's the purpose behind this little rule, and it works for both small and large goals because of one simple reason: the physics of real life.

The Physics of Real Life

Sir Isaac Newton taught “objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion. This lesson is just as true for humans as it is for falling apples. Once you start doing something, it's easier to continue doing it. The 2-Minute Rule embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.

Want to become a better writer? Just write one sentence (2-Minute Rule), and you'll often find yourself writing for an hour. Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of a new book (2-Minute Rule), and before you know it, the first three chapters have flown by. Want to run three times a week? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, just get your running shoes on and get out the door (2-Minute Rule), and you'll end up putting mileage on your legs instead of junk food in your stomach!

The most important part of any new habit is getting started -- not just the first time, but each time. It's not about performance; it's about consistently taking action. In many ways, getting started is more important than succeeding. This is especially true in the beginning because there will be plenty of time to improve your performance later on. The 2-Minute Rule is about taking action and letting things flow from there.

Try It Now

Don’t think of the enormity of the whole task; only think of what will need to be done in the first two minutes. I can't guarantee whether or not the 2-Minute Rule will work for you. But, I can guarantee that it will never work if you never try it. Instead of reading and forgetting this article, take control. Find something you can do that will take you less than two minutes? Do it right now. Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done.

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