That to-do list is overwhelming you. Discover the simple, science-backed rule that can break the cycle of procrastination for good.
The 2-Minute Trick That Will Change Your Day
I stared at the blinking cursor, the blank document taunting me. I had a massive report to write, a task I’d been avoiding for days. The weight of it was paralyzing. I cleaned the kitchen, reorganized my bookshelf, and did anything but the one thing I needed to do.
This cycle of anxiety and avoidance is one I know all too well. But I’ve discovered a secret weapon that shatters it every time. It’s called the 2-Minute Rule.
Here’s how it works:
If a task takes less than two minutes to do, do it immediately.
If a big task feels overwhelming, just do the first two minutes of it.
The logic is breathtakingly simple. The biggest hurdle to productivity is often just starting. The 2-Minute Rule tricks your brain by making the "start" so small and painless that it's almost impossible to refuse.
Need to clean the whole kitchen? Just commit to washing two minutes' worth of dishes.
Have a daunting work project? Just open the document and write one sentence.
Need to go for a run? Just put on your running shoes and step outside.
What happens 90% of the time is a phenomenon psychologists call "task continuation." Once you’ve started, the friction is gone. You’ll often find yourself washing all the dishes, writing a full page, or going for a full run. But even if you stop after two minutes, you’ve won. You’ve broken the inertia. You’ve built a small piece of momentum.
This isn't about time management; it's about momentum management. Every two-minute victory builds confidence and trains your brain to associate starting with success, not with stress.
So look at that looming task. Don't think about finishing it. Just ask yourself: "What can I do in the next two minutes?"
Start your next victory in 120 seconds.
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I stared at the blinking cursor, the blank document taunting me. I had a massive report to write, a task I’d been avoiding for days. The weight of it was paralyzing. I cleaned the kitchen, reorganized my bookshelf, and did anything but the one thing I needed to do.
This cycle of anxiety and avoidance is one I know all too well. But I’ve discovered a secret weapon that shatters it every time. It’s called the 2-Minute Rule.
Here’s how it works:
If a task takes less than two minutes to do, do it immediately.
If a big task feels overwhelming, just do the first two minutes of it.
The logic is breathtakingly simple. The biggest hurdle to productivity is often just starting. The 2-Minute Rule tricks your brain by making the "start" so small and painless that it's almost impossible to refuse.
Need to clean the whole kitchen? Just commit to washing two minutes' worth of dishes.
Have a daunting work project? Just open the document and write one sentence.
Need to go for a run? Just put on your running shoes and step outside.
What happens 90% of the time is a phenomenon psychologists call "task continuation." Once you’ve started, the friction is gone. You’ll often find yourself washing all the dishes, writing a full page, or going for a full run. But even if you stop after two minutes, you’ve won. You’ve broken the inertia. You’ve built a small piece of momentum.
This isn't about time management; it's about momentum management. Every two-minute victory builds confidence and trains your brain to associate starting with success, not with stress.
So look at that looming task. Don't think about finishing it. Just ask yourself: "What can I do in the next two minutes?"
Start your next victory in 120 seconds.