The rule
From David Allen's Getting Things Done: if an action takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.
Why it works
Procrastination is rarely laziness — it's friction. The two-minute rule lowers the activation energy to start. Starting is the hardest part; momentum carries the rest.
How to apply it
- Inbox: reply or archive, don't queue.
- Dishes: wash the pan now, not later.
- Big projects: commit to just two minutes. You'll usually keep going.
Try it today
Pick three things you've been avoiding. Apply the rule to each. Notice how many were never as big as they felt.