Falcon Man™ Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 How to Stop Procrastinating With the “2–Minute Rule” I call this little strategy the “2–Minute Rule” and the goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing. Here’s the deal… Most of the tasks that you procrastinate on aren’t actually difficult to do — you have the talent and skills to accomplish them — you just avoid starting them for one reason or another. The 2–Minute Rule overcomes procrastination and laziness by making it so easy to start taking action that you can’t say no. There are two parts to the 2–Minute Rule… Part 1 — If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now. Part I comes from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done. It’s surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. For example, washing your dishes immediately after your meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, cleaning up clutter, sending that email, and so on. If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow the rule and do it right now. Part 2 — When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not. But, every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less. And that’s the purpose behind this little rule. It might sound like this strategy is too basic for your grand life goals, but I beg to differ. It works for any goal because of one simple reason: the physics of real life. The Physics of Real Life As Sir Isaac Newton taught us a long time ago, objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion. This is just as true for humans as it is for falling apples. The 2–Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia of life. Once you start doing something, it’s easier to continue doing it. I love the 2–Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started. Want to become a better writer? Just write one sentence (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll often find yourself writing for an hour. Want to eat healthier? Just eat one piece of fruit (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll often find yourself inspired to make a healthy salad as well. Want to make reading a habit? Just read the first page of a new book (2–Minute Rule), and before you know it, the first three chapters have flown by. Want to run three times a week? Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, just get your running shoes on and get out the door (2–Minute Rule), and you’ll end up putting mileage on your legs instead of popcorn in your stomach. The most important part of any new habit is getting started — not just the first time, but each time. It’s not about performance, it’s about consistently taking action. In many ways, getting started is more important than succeeding. This is especially true in the beginning because there will be plenty of time to improve your performance later on. The 2–Minute Rule isn’t about the results you achieve, but rather about the process of actually doing the work. It works really well for people who believe that the system is more important than the goal. The focus is on taking action and letting things flow from there. Try It Now I can’t guarantee whether or not the 2–Minute Rule will work for you. But, I can guarantee that it will never work if you never try it. The problem with most articles you read, podcasts you listen to, or videos you watch is that you consume the information but never put it into practice. I want this article to be different. I want you to actually use this information, right now. What’s something you can do that will take you less than two minutes? Do it right now. Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done. Go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 After reading this, I took a dump. Took me 2 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTA Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I didn't read any of this because it looked like it would take me longer than two minutes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biloxifalcon Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 This is great. I' am going to start doing this right away....TOMORROW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 I didn't read any of this because it looked like it would take me longer than two minutes...90 seconds tops - and that is if you read at a 1st grade level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 90 seconds tops - and that is if you read at a 1st grade levelBut then you have to allow time for all the excuses to be made of why something can't really be accomplished and how the world is stacked against you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 But then you have to allow time for all the excuses to be made of why something can't really be accomplished and how the world is stacked against you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDaveG Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I confused the 2 minute rule with the 5 second rule. So I neglected to do something that would enrich my life because it would take more than 5 seconds to do it, but the upside is I ate a cheeseburger I had dropped on the floor a minute and 40 seconds earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 I confused the 2 minute rule with the 5 second rule. So I neglected to do something that would enrich my life because it would take more than 5 seconds to do it, but the upside is I ate a cheeseburger I had dropped on the floor a minute and 40 seconds earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I was horney2 minutes later I'm finethank you 2 minute rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Man™ Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 I was horney2 minutes later I'm finethank you 2 minute rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moist Words Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I was horney2 minutes later I'm finethank you 2 minute ruleThis is where I get the 5 second rule and the two minute rule mixed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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