how to correctly implement the 2 minute rule

David Allen popularized this rule in his best selling book Getting Things Done.

the 2 minute rule is one of the most straightforward productivity tips there is,
something you can start using right now, today,
it simply states:

“If an action will take less than two minutes, it should be done at the moment it’s defined.”

done.

examples:

1. you’re glancing over your emails while working on something else (you know you shouldn’t, but… here you are) when you spot an email that requires a very easy and clear answer, something that would use 30 seconds and 2.5 breaths to respond. do it now.
2. you’re on a call, waiting on hold, when you remember you forgot to tell your spouse you’ll be staying late at the office (again) do it now.
3. you saw a post on Instagram about the benefits of taking deep breaths, do it now.

yes, it’s disruptive,
yes, it’s shallow work,
yes, these are lowish value activities;

however, if not addressed right away, they have the potential to cause substantial drag on your time and attention.

the reason why the 2 minute rule works so well is because it skips the decision making process and saves you the time you’d need to organize, review and finish the task later.

if you don’t close the loop right away,
that 30 second email has the potential to leave substantial attention residue in its wake, causing anxiety, dread and rumination,

do it now.

to implement the 2 minute rule correctly, make sure you’re applying it during your processing time.

this is a time specifically dedicated to planning, collecting information and processing it.

if used at the wrong time, the 2 minute rule can have the opposite effect and derail productivity.

meaning…

checking emails during a time of substantial cognitive load = bad.

answering emails during a time of substantial cognitive load = worse.

don’t do it now.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

today is day 252 of the year, there are 113 days remaining of 2022.