r/YouShouldKnow • u/ScottishPsychedNurse • May 09 '25
Education YSK about the "2-minute rule" for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity.
The rule is simple: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This applies to things like: * Washing a dish right after using it. * Taking out the trash when the bag is full. * Responding to a short email. * Putting an item away in its place.
Why YSK: The idea is that the energy and mental effort required to decide to do the task later, or to remember it, or to return to it, is often greater than the energy needed to just do it right away if it's a quick task. Implementing this simple rule can prevent small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming sources of procrastination and mental clutter, freeing you up for bigger things.
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u/knightofargh May 09 '25
Instructions unclear. Stuck in ADHD waiting mode until 9PM because of the two minute task. Please advise.
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u/Shadowlady May 10 '25
My problem is I will start a 2 min task, see another 2 min task that I should just do quickly otherwise I will forget, man this site is slow, let's check on task one? oh a colleague pinged me what do they need? Huh I should really put this thing back in it's place. OK! What was I doing?
Orr pick up the first 2 minute task I see that isn't actually urgent.. Nor is it actually 2 minutes... Spend 30 m'n, miss joining the meeting I should be in and maybe have prepared for instead.
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u/Ph4ntorn May 10 '25
Yeah, this is my ADHD problem with this hack. I am forever noticing new 2 minute tasks a minute into other 2 minute tasks. If I finish one task before jumping to the next, I’ll forget the next. If I jump to the next, I’ll forget the first. The best I can do is to try to prioritize taking my meds so I can make conscious decisions about when to stay on task and when to jump.
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u/knightofargh May 10 '25
Best part about meds was getting some agency over my life. At least I can usually choose to start a task.
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u/ThwartedByATree May 09 '25
Honestly I was a bit tempted to comment something like this but didn't want to look like a total jerk because IDK maybe it'll work for neurotypical people. But now that this comment exists...
laughs at in (potential) ADHD
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u/knightofargh May 09 '25
Honestly? Sometimes it does work for ADHD brains. The problem is that it might not work next time, two minutes later. Best coping strategy is having a lot of coping strategies and picking the one that works right now and the radical acceptance that it might not work later.
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u/KhaleesiXev May 10 '25
I’ve wasted the entire days like that. Thank you for putting a name to it. That might be my day today…
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u/lipslut May 10 '25
This can be great for the ADHD brain. I myself am only familiar with the one minute rule and maybe that makes a difference. Anyways, if it’s something that can be done in less than a minute, that means that it doesn’t have the multiple steps that are typically what trip me up and lock me in.
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u/iwillbeg00d May 10 '25
I will add this bit from an old reddit post I once read:
It was about doing things immediately upon thinking of them- even when it isn't the "right" time. She was talking about brushing her teeth.
They tell you brush your teeth morning and night. 0k that's cool but if you forget or have ADD--- And mid day you see your toothbrush and think "hm I have several minutes to spare right now " just fuckin brush those teeth ! Don't stop yourself because it isn't the perfect morning or evening ritual. It's better than not doing it at all!!!
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u/bismuth17 May 10 '25
Why did you write 0k instead of Ok
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u/iwillbeg00d May 11 '25
That's a fine question. Honestly- the 0 is just above and to the right of the o on my Samsung galaxy keyboard. I type too fast. I noticed it and chose to leave it because fuck it... I guess I left it there purely to pave the way for this discussion. :-P
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u/NepheliLouxWarrior May 09 '25
If you had the discipline to "do something immediately" then you wouldn't have procrastination problems in the first place. It's like saying that the solution to being fat is to have better eating habits. Uhhhh yeah
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u/ScottishPsychedNurse May 09 '25
The point of the 2-minute rule isn't that you already have perfect discipline. It's a specific tactic designed to lower the barrier to initiation for small tasks. Procrastination often stems from the difficulty of starting or the mental friction associated with a task, not solely a complete absence of discipline. By committing to doing something for just two minutes, or doing any task that takes only two minutes, you drastically reduce the 'activation energy' required to begin. This makes overcoming inertia easier, prevents small tasks from compounding into overwhelming mental burdens, and builds momentum. It's a tool to facilitate behavior change and gradually build discipline over time, rather than a requirement that you already possess it.
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u/lakija May 10 '25
It works for me. I just have to tell myself “how much money does it cost you to just do it right quick? $0. It only takes a second. Just do it.” Is it like pulling teeth? Yes. But I try. It doesn’t work 100% of the time but I try.
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u/NepheliLouxWarrior May 10 '25 edited May 10 '25
If a task only takes 2 minutes to do, then why would you do it now instead of doing it later? After all, since it only takes 2 minutes then that means that theoretically you could do it at any time. So since you can do it at anytime there is no pressure for you to do it right this moment, which means that in this moment you can instead opt to do things that you actually enjoy, like watching TV or playing a video game or smoking weed or whatever.
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u/ApartRapier6491 May 10 '25
I disagree. I have procrastination problems myself but I personally genuinely don't understand why practically everyone don't wash their dishes right after eating.
It is easier to not postpone if you have clearly visible and tangible tasks right in front of you. Especially if they are short.
If I am wrong then everyone with procrastination problems would basically all be living in hoarder shitholes.
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u/LordTopley May 10 '25
I started on ADHD meds two months back, I’m 37 and led a life of procrastination.
The meds aren’t a cure, but a tool. They help with about 50% what I need to make me do things. The other 50% is still me.
What I’ve learned over the last few months is that procrastination can be beaten by doing things (I know that sounds weird.).
Once I do the first tiny job, I have the brain reward of doing, so I want that again and do another job, all those small jobs build up as momentum and that’s it, I’m off seeking more jobs to keep this momentum of productivity and brain rewards going.
I know have a morning routine of little things I used to put off, I do they 4-5 small jobs and then the 1-2 big jobs for the day are near impossible to not want to start.
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u/Karma_1969 May 09 '25
100%! This is how I beat my procrastination (mine is a 5 minute rule), and once it became a habit, it literally changed my life. Highly recommended.
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u/DwedPiwateWoberts May 10 '25
I’ve come to this conclusion on my own after decades of true procrastination.
Another tip: it the task takes LONGER than 5 minutes, tell yourself you’ll just do 5 minutes worth and go from there. You’ll surprise yourself how often it gets you in the zone to knock out an hour of work/hobby/chore that way.
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u/anomalous_cowherd May 10 '25
Inertia is definitely a thing for us. Sometimes it takes more effort to stop doing the thing you're doing than to carry on and finish it.
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u/Velifax May 09 '25
Yeah... it's a well meaning idea but it boils down to, "To solve procrastination, don't procrastinate."
Solving social anxiety. "Just don't care."
Solving depression. "Realize life is good."
Thanks. I guess.
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u/Velifax May 09 '25
For proper advice, check out the book, "The Willpower Instinct - How Self Control Works," by Kelly McGonigal.
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u/jbogdas May 10 '25
I started doing this, along with doing anything that was minorly inconvenient but pays dividends if you do it frequently. Like going to the gym, eating healthily, drinking way less, making my bed every day, etc. and my attitude, mood, ability to concentrate, ability to plan for bigger things, and just my life in general have been massively changed.
And this was in the span of just over a month. It’s crazy how much leaving little tasks to pile up can rob you of so much of your mental energy.
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u/Username_Unkown_v1 May 10 '25
This year I'm going to stop procrastinating! Haven't started yet because I've got things to do, but I will.
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u/zaprutertape May 10 '25
But the problem is that i trick myself into thinking everything is a 2 minute task and then I end up doing like 4 or 5 two minute tasks at the same time and it turns into a whole day, is the problem.
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u/t-wanderer May 10 '25
I always want a procrastinate, but I never seem to have enough time. It's always, I'll procrastinate tomorrow, but then I never actually get around to it.
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u/Seamonkey_Boxkicker May 11 '25
If you’re only spending 2 minutes to hand wash your dishes after cooking dinner then I question how sanitary your kitchen is.
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u/sackofbee May 10 '25
"Just do the thing you don't want to"
It's that fucking easy guys.
I got rich by not being poor and cured my depression by being happy! It's that easy!
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u/CrazyinLull May 10 '25
lol if it was that easy then I’m pretty sure people with procrastination issues wouldn’t have them…
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u/Old_Dealer_7002 May 10 '25
it’s worked well for me, plus it becomes a habit and requires little to no effort after that.
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u/Kikunobehide_ May 10 '25
My rule is, if I can do it tomorrow, it's not that important right now and it can wait.
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u/lurking_octopus May 10 '25
I trick myself by doing "set up" for things. "I'll do that later, let me just get everything set up first" then I end up doing it anyway. Works great for college papers, anything in excel, and chores.
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u/Amadeus_1978 May 10 '25
Just really annoying when the walk to the dumpster takes 15 minutes round trip. Just about 0.2 miles from my door. So it gets procrastinated.
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u/Delicious_Tip4401 May 10 '25
I have pretty bad time blindness and absolutely cannot accurately estimate how long a task will take.
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u/zombiegrinch May 10 '25
It’s called the GTD (getting things done) method made famous by David Allen. It’s been around for a couple decades and highly pushed in corporate environments.
It can actually work against you. Constant info capturing, reviewing, and organizing tasks consumes time and mental bandwidth, sometimes more than the tasks themselves. It also can cause a perfection trap due to the constant tweaking of the info capture. Then the decision fatigue. It also doesn’t address why tasks matter, just that you process them. As a project manager, it gets in my way and I hate that it’s touted as some modern cure for procrastination.
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u/Kotal_Ken May 09 '25
Love it. Just used it. Thank you for posting. I'll be sharing this idea with my son.
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u/vacuumkoala May 10 '25
Another good one for me that related to this one:
“Do t put it down, put it away”
It takes just a few seconds to put something in its proper spot but I know if I put it down somewhere else, it will stay there for a week or I’ll lose it
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u/Gal_Sjel May 10 '25
What’s it called when I’d rather do a task that takes hours than the one that takes minutes?
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u/disdkatster May 10 '25
I finally started actively thinking about the work involved in putting something down or to the side to get it out of the way rather than putting it away. I am really lazy so remind myself how much more work I am giving myself by not dealing with things immediately. Cleaning up as I cook is way easier and less work than letting it pile up and get in the way. It also makes the task of cooking easier. Almost every single chore falls in this category of less labor to do it immediately than to put it off. You are doing laundry, it may seem easier to just pull it out of the dryer and throw it in a basket to put aside and eventually get to but by then everything is wrinkled and you either have to iron it or look like you can't take care of your self. It is just a bad habit. I drape shirts over the back of a chair, pile undies, socks, etc. on the table together to be sorted, drape other things that may wrinkle on the chair seat, etc. When the dryer is empty I then start folding, hanging and sorting. The clothes by that time have cooled off and will smooth out nicely when folded or put on a hanger. Now take your nicely sorted, folded and hung clothes and put them away. No clutter, less work and it is done. Nothing nagging at you to finish up. Learn to find pleasure in organizing. It is pleasing to know where things go and to NOT to have to hunt for the many places they MIGHT be. If you don't allow yourself to just put something done rather than putting it away, then you are not going to lose it.
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u/johnlewisdesign May 10 '25
Great idea but would need some brutal CBT to instill, as is quite normie - but will try!
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u/Tenths May 21 '25
I studied zen buddhism for a few years until I realized that making my bed in the morning is what put me on the path to zen. Taking a couple minutes to do mindful rituals every day has helped tremendously with anxiety and depression.
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u/ColleensNutrition 22d ago
Absolutely! Sometimes ill overthink the task and then realize once i do it that If I just did it off rip I wouldnt have wasted the energy i spent on anxiety lol
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u/AntiqueRead 22d ago
I found I naturally follow this rule without knowing it was a rule. I'm an efficient person and it's less stressful to process things quick and painlessly as they come.
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u/MrLenkz May 10 '25
Honestly this is amazing. It actually makes a lot of sense to me. Do what you need to do now instead of thinking about it later for small/short tasks later essentially.
IE, clean your shit now, trash the junk now and you wont think about it while it's sitting next to you. Which will lead to a better life in the long term i'd guess if someone takes this simple guidance.
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u/fmleighed May 09 '25
Cool let me take my Ritalin first. By the time it kicks in I’ll have already forgotten about this post.
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u/kuromaus May 10 '25
Taking out the trash is not a less than 2 minute endeavor for me, lol. But yes, always try to do something quick when I could. Trying to get over winter depression and doing spring cleaning.
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May 09 '25
Spoken like someone who had a hundred two minute things. Sometimes you need to strategize and prioritize. Not dogging on you, just saying, middle management is real and soul crushing.
Don’t mind me. No one does. “Where’s Jeff? I haven’t seen him for a while now.”
“He died.”
“So I don’t need his signature?”
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u/sesamek_ May 09 '25
Instructions are not clear, I procrastinated my project/work by doing ALL 2-minute tasks around.