Okay Moguls, let’s hear it for Mindset Monday!
Do you want to know how to obliterate procrastination and get more stuff done? I bet you do!
Okay, okay, enough of the infomercial talk, this is actually really useful life-hack information.
Like any REI, I have loads on my plate, and at times, I struggle with getting stuff done. Sometimes it feels like I’m winning the battle more than other times. And, I’m constantly tweaking how I win that battle.
To get stuff done and finally get those lingering tasks off my to-do list, I’ve been using a simple strategy that I found in this awesome article. It’s about an easy tactic called the 2-Minute Rule.
Read on to see how you can utilize this method, (as well as another version of it that I created) to finally get stuff done.
The 2-Minute Rule
This 2-part rule basically works like this…
Think of a task that you’ve been avoiding – then just take 2 minutes to simply start that task.
The beauty of this strategy is that you’ll likely find that you will quickly build momentum in just those 2 minutes and invest more time in that task. Before you know it, it’s probably done.
Part 1 –Do It. Now.
If you have a task on your to-do list that takes less than 2 minutes, just go ahead and do it, now; wrap it up; call it a day with that one. Dunzo.
If you think about it, there are so many little things that really don’t take that long to do. If you quit putting them off and just say, “Okay, 2 minutes for drafting that email, and 2 minutes for returning a phone call…,” you’ll quickly knock those tasks to the curb. Buh Bye.
And, not only will you feel a big sense of accomplishment, but you’ll probably build some momentum within yourself and ride that out as motivation to continue getting stuff done.
Seriously this one may seem deceptively simple, but it works if you actually do it! If takes less than two minutes – follow the rule and do it now.
Part 2 – Starting something new should take less than 2 minutes.
This rule can work for tasks both big and small. Of course not every task can be completed in two minutes…
But what’s great about this method is that it helps you recognize that every task can be started in 2 minutes.
The reason this method can be effective is because it stems from that trusty Newton lesson: Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. In other words, once you get going, you’ll continue to move forward.
Time is of the Essence
Okay, I do like the 2-Minute Rule. I’ve tried it…I use it here and there. In some ways though, it doesn’t quite do it for me.
Here’s why…
Sometimes I realize some of the stuff that I gotta get done will definitely take me more than 2 minutes, but I feel like the 2-min rule just isn’t going to do it for me.
Sure, there’s an advantage to using 2 minutes to start a task and hoping the momentum carries me through for another hour. But, there’s also a place for ‘eating an elephant one bite at a time,’ if you know what I mean.
So let’s say one thing on my to-do list is: clean off my desk. I’m sure you have this task too, rearing its ugly head once a month or so.
Personally, my desk can get pretty overwhelming and out of control if I don’t organize it every so often. I’ll admit it, I’m a stacker. I often get to the point where I just avoid this task, repeatedly I might add, because it seems too overwhelming to work on.
So this is when I came up with the 5-Minute Rule.
JP’s 5-Minute Rule
Here’s how it works…
I started putting on my to-do list, a 5-minute time block for a task: ‘Clean Desk – 5 minutes.’
Usually, if I have a few of these 5 minute tasks on my list, I’ll dedicate one hour of my day to knocking out these ‘elephants’ in little 5 minutes bites.
If you think about it, you can get a lot done in 5 minute chunks over the course of one hour. For me, this is really doable.
When I follow my 5 Minute-Rule, I actually feel like I’m making progress and getting stuff done. It’s not that I’m focusing only on 2-min or 5-min tasks – I’m focusing on tasks that might take me an hour or two, but I’m doing it in little, bite-size chunks.
Obviously, if it’s a super time-sensitive task, then I don’t have the luxury of stretching it out and doing a little here and there. So this only applies to certain tasks. Besides the ‘clean desk’ task, I also use this rule for reorganizing my files in Dropbox, as an example.
I’ll be perfectly clear about how you can utilize this method…
I am literally starting a 5 minute countdown when I start a 5-Minute Rule task. (Use an app on your smart phone.)
Press go on the countdown and go at it like a mad man – there’s no putzing around in 5-Minute Rule land by the way – and just devour the biggest bite you can in those 5 minutes.
When that timer goes off, that’s it. And if you’re not done, you’ve at least made good progress and you should add another 5-minute chunk for that task on tomorrow’s to-do list.
Before you know it, you’re knocking down some of those big projects that have been hanging around and nagging the crap out of you. And you know what else, it’s productive and it feels pretty dern good.
So, I’d suggest you give both methods a try, the 2-Minute Rule as well as my spin on it, the 5-Minute Rule…
Give ’em a go and see how they can help you check things off your to-do list. (You can start by checking off ‘Read Mogul’s Lesson Today,’ from your list, and just like that, you’re on your way!)
Read this Life-Hack article – This is where I first learned about the 2-Minute Rule. It’s a good read with loads of useful info.
Try the 2-Minute Rule – Figure out which tasks would best be applied to this rule and start getting stuff done.
Try my 5-Minute Rule – This is my version of the 2-Minute Rule. I’ve found that it allows me to really tackle those tasks that seem super overwhelming. Make your list, get stuff done, and then enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and productivity!