The Rule Is Simple
If a task takes less than 2 minutes — do it immediately. Don't write it down, don't push it to later, don't put it into a system. Do it now.
That sounds trivial. But it changes everything.
Why Procrastinating Is So Expensive
Every time you defer a small task, you pay three times:
- When writing it down: you spend time and mental energy transferring it into a system
- When seeing it again: you re-read it, re-evaluate it, decide again
- When doing it: you have to rebuild the context first
A 90-second task can cost you 10 minutes in total with triple overhead.
Where I Apply It Consistently
Emails: Short replies go out immediately. Only complex replies go into the inbox.
Kitchen: Plates straight into the dishwasher, never into the sink. Saves 3 minutes a day and keeps the kitchen permanently clean.
Notes: Small to-dos that can be done in 2 minutes never go on a list.
Home: An object is out of place? Put it back immediately. Not "in a moment".
The Important Exception
The 2-minute rule does not apply when you're in the middle of focused work. Then the context switch costs more than the 2 minutes save. During focus periods: block it, handle it later.
Bottom Line
It's not about always reacting immediately. It's about eliminating the friction of small tasks. After three months of consistent use, my mental load from open loose ends has almost disappeared.