The Two-Minute Rule That Will Help You to Stop Procrastinating

2017-08-03

Do you keep putting things off until tomorrow? Try the two-minute rule. Businessman and travel photographer James Clears talked about a simple and effective strategy everyone can use. Its purpose is to start doing things that you should have done long ago and also finish plans or at least begin finishing them. The rule two-minute rule helps to overcome laziness and procrastination. And it makes it really easy. And here is what it consists of:

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


It's amazing how many shelved plans could actually be done in just two minutes or less. For example, wash dishes immediately after eating, throw laundry in the washing machine, throw out the trash, clean up, send an e-mail, and so on. If the task takes less than two minutes, then follow this rule: do it right now.

Part 2: when you want to learn a new habit, you need to start within two minutes.


Can all your goals be achieved in less than two minutes? Of course not. But each goal can be "launched" within two minutes or less. It may seem that this strategy is too small for the great life goals, but it is not.

This approach works for any goal, and the reason for this is physics. As Sir Isaac Newton said, an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion. This is just as true for a person, as it is for falling apples. The two-minute rule works for small and large purposes because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it becomes easier to continue doing it.

The rule is connected with the idea that good things happen, you only need to start working on it.

Do you want to become a good writer? Just write one sentence (two-minute rule), and gradually you will be able to write for an hour.

The Two-Minute Rule That Will Help You to Stop Procrastinating

Do you want to take up a healthy diet? Just eat one fruit right now (a two-minute rule), and you can find inspiration to make a healthy salad.

Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of the new book. You will not notice how the first three chapters will fly by. Do you want to run three times a week? Just wear sneakers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and leave the house, and this way you start running, instead of eating another portion of popcorn.

The two-minute rule is focused not on the results, but rather on the process, which leads to the result. The main attention is paid to starting something. After all, the most important part of any new habit is the beginning, not only for the first time but always, because the measures must be consistent.

Try it now

Of course, it's hard to confirm that this rule will work in every particular case. But, and it can be said for sure, it will never work if you do not try. After all, the problem with most of the articles that we read is that we only consume information, but seldom apply it in practice. You can start using this information right now. So, ask yourself: what is it that you needed to do long ago? And you can do it right now for two minutes.