The 2-Minute Rule
I used to think “there just aren’t enough hours in the day” and often felt like my “to do” list was just going to stay a “might do” list, forever. I can still fall into the trap of beating myself up when I don’t accomplish whatever I set out to do in a given day, but I’ve worked hard to lower my expectations and try to shoot for less. Less? How are you supposed to accomplish anything if you do less? It still gets done. It just doesn’t get done in a haze like when I’m trying to do to many things at once, and often making mistakes or messes, or both. If I can focus on doing whatever I’m doing mindfully, chances are, I’ll feel pretty darn good when I’ve finished. It’s not fool-proof, but the key to my success here is in the tiny tasks “between the pleats”, as my mom calls it.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, time management is defined as "the ability to use one's time effectively or productively, especially at work.” I find the last part of the definition ironic, because I have a much easier time being productive at work than in my own house! Perhaps it’s the schedule and structure of work that allows the tasks to fall into place, and the contrast of just so many things that one can do in ones home on any given day that makes it feel less achievable.
Some days we just need to be gentle with ourselves and find ways to improve our own experiences. Sometimes those are the days when the smallest efforts can make the biggest impact. I recently finished reading “Getting Things Done” by David Allen, and am really into his 2-minute rule. He notes how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. The theory is simple. If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, just do it now, in the moment. Don't think about it or put off the task that you’ll later dread.
What if we took this one step further and on those days when we’re stuck on the couch or procrastinating to start something big, we initiate a 2 minute task to get our momentum rolling?
Here are just 10 things that you can do (each takes less than 2 minutes), to initiate productivity and quickly give you a sense of completion:
Make your bed.
Journal.
Clean JUST the dishes in the sink.
Separate laundry (if you do that sort of thing) and throw one load in the wash (if you have one nearby).
Text or call someone just to let them know you are thinking of them.
Make that one phone call you have procrastinated doing (pay that bill, schedule that eye appointment, cancel that delivery service you don’t need).
Clear out your voice mail or go through 5 unopened emails.
That junk drawer is calling your name!
Fold JUST the clothes that aren’t put away in your room.
Stretch!