Improve To-Do List Management and Productivity with the Two Minute Rule

The two-minute rule states that if you can do something in less than two minutes, you should instantly complete the task no matter where the task is on your to-do list.

For example, you might need to make a short call with one of your friends or colleagues, which will take just a bit. Don't put off the task to do later. Instead, do it now and move the tasks into the Done category on your Kanban board while doing to-do list management.

What is the Two Minute Rule?

This technique is derived from David Allen's bestseller, Getting Things Done. According to him, "If an action takes less than two minutes, it should be done at the moment it's defined."

This productivity technique works excellent against procrastination. Once you start doing small things instantly, you gain momentum that pushes you to complete bigger tasks.

Small tasks often crowd our to-do lists. If we win them over, the more significant tasks get more straightforward.

How Does the Two Minute Rule Work?

The best thing about this technique is that you don't need any hard and fast system to follow. No complex planning is required; you can simply start doing a pending task on the list.

You also don't need any tool to follow this technique. It's all about starting a task as quickly as possible. Once you get into the task, it progresses at its own pace. You can get rid of procrastination traps.

Instead of planning to do something in the future, you start doing it instantly, which results in excellent results. And the results inspire you to move on to the next task without putting them off for later.

And the sense of satisfaction of accomplishment creates considerable momentum in yourself. Once you engage yourself in a small task, soon you realize that you can do even more within the same timeframe.

This technique is very flexible. You don't need to go through any specific rule; you can pick any task according to its importance. You can even change the workflow anytime, depending on what you need to do at any given moment.

How to Use the Two Minute Rule?

The two-minute rule is all about getting started. What you can do a bit later should be started right now. You can start following the technique with small everyday tasks at your home or office.

1. Plan your action. Organize your tasks according to their importance to start essential tasks in the first place.
2. This rule is applicable for both small and big tasks. In the case of smaller tasks, the rule helps you complete the task instantly. Putting those smaller tasks off might make them feel difficult.
3. The same rule works a bit differently in the case of bigger tasks. Other than completing the task, the major success here is to start the task instantly. No matter how big or difficult the task is, it becomes a lot easier and achievable once you begin the task.

Use the Two Minute Rule with TimeCaptis

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking the small things don’t matter. The To-Do feature in TimeCaptis helps you implement the Two Minute Rule. Employ the Two Minute Rule to make your habits easy and productive whenever you struggle to stick with habits.