Introduction
The two-minute rule is probably the simplest rule we share in The 25th Hour.
And it's also the one readers mention to us the most.
Every time, they say the same thing.
This rule genuinely changed their lives.
It's simple, almost obvious.
And yet its impact is huge once you start applying it daily.
A very simple rule
The two-minute rule comes from David Allen, author of Getting Things Done.
The principle is clear:
if an action takes you under two minutes, do it right away.
It can be:
- replying to an email
- doing a small to-do list task
- handling something someone asks you during a conversation
Not later.
Not after.
Now.
Why this rule is so effective
Very often, we waste a lot of time before we even start a task.
You read an action.
You close it.
You think about it later.
You reread it.
You analyze it again.
The most frequent case is email.
You read a message.
You think you should reply.
But you close it because you don't feel like handling it right now.
As a result, you'll forget it.
And when you run into it again, you'll have to reread it completely and decide again what to do.
It's like stepping on the first stair, going back down, then climbing again later.
You do the same effort twice.
Most tasks take under two minutes
What's a little magical about this rule is what you quickly notice:
most small tasks actually take under two minutes.
It's true for many emails.
Often, a reply like "got it, thanks" or "I prefer this option" is enough.
It's also true for a lot of to-do list items:
- booking a restaurant
- scheduling a meeting
- buying a gift
- doing a quick admin step
There are so many tasks like this that handling them immediately often divides your to-do list by two, sometimes by three.
And mechanically, that makes the list much less discouraging, as you also see when you learn to prioritize your tasks.
Less friction, more energy
Another powerful effect of the two-minute rule is the relief it creates.
Every time you finish a small task quickly, you feel a real release.
One less thing to keep in mind.
If you apply this rule several times a day, you accumulate small wins.
And it gives you energy instead of taking it.
Instead of piling up unfinished micro-tasks, you make them disappear.
A rule that complements prioritization
The two-minute rule is not about doing everything.
It's about preventing small low-stakes actions from occupying your mind.
It works extremely well as a complement to good work organization.
Important tasks stay important.
The ones that require time and focus need to be planned.
But small actions have no reason to linger.
Conclusion
The two-minute rule is short, simple, and easy to remember.
That's probably why it sticks.
There's nothing spectacular about it.
But applied every day, it deeply changes how you move forward.
Less hesitation.
Less friction.
More action.
Go further
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