Productivity is a never-ending pursuit, and with our attention spans shrinking, it’s essential to have simple, effective strategies to stay focused and get things done. The 2-Minute Rule is one such strategy that can help you boost your productivity and make the most of your time. This simple trick is based on the idea that many tasks we face can be completed in a short burst of focused effort, and by taking advantage of these small windows of opportunity, you can achieve a surprising amount.

The rule is simple: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it now. Those small, nagging tasks that we tend to put off, like sending that quick email, making that phone call, or putting away those dishes, can actually eat up a surprising amount of mental energy when left undone. By taking care of these small tasks immediately, you free up mental bandwidth and create a sense of momentum that can carry over to larger, more complex projects. This technique is especially useful for those who tend to procrastinate or feel overwhelmed by their to-do lists.

One of the biggest benefits of the 2-Minute Rule is that it helps to reduce decision fatigue. By making the decision to act immediately, you avoid the energy-draining process of deliberating whether or not to tackle a task. This is a powerful way to preserve your willpower and keep your motivation high throughout the day. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that comes with quickly ticking off a number of small tasks can provide the positive reinforcement needed to stay focused and disciplined. This technique also helps to prevent the buildup of small tasks, which can snowball into larger problems and cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.