There are two versions of the 2-Minute Rule, and both of them beat procrastination from a different angle.
Version 1 — David Allen (Getting Things Done):
If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it NOW. Don't write it down. Don't add it to a list. Doing it costs less than managing it.
Answer the text. Put the dish in the dishwasher. Send the confirmation email. Two minutes, done, gone from your head.
Version 2 — James Clear (Atomic Habits):
When you can't start a big task, shrink it to a 2-minute version. 'Go for a run' becomes 'put on running shoes.' 'Write the report' becomes 'open the document and write one sentence.'
Why it works: your brain doesn't resist the task. It resists the SIZE of the task. A 2-minute version slips under the resistance. And once you're moving, staying in motion is easy — starting was the only hard part.
Copy-paste this into your day:
"If it takes under 2 minutes — I do it immediately."
"If it feels too big to start — I do the 2-minute version."
Two sentences. Try them for one day. Count how many things actually get done.
Kevin | TodayIsTheDay
