Back in 2001, when David Allen published the groundbreaking productivity book Getting Things Done, he coined the "two-minute rule": If you encounter a task that would take under two minutes to complete, just do it now. 
He wasn't recommending that you spend your days ricocheting between random little activities, the moment they pop into your head.
His point was that anyone who takes a systematic approach to managing their time – with some combination of to-do lists, plans, schedules, and so on – inevitably incurs overheads.
Those lists and plans take time and effort, and for some smaller tasks, it's simply not worth it. By the time you've "clarified the next action", or made an entry on a list, or scheduled a time to focus on it, you could have just done the thing.
How Long Does It Take To Do Something?
It's been said that it's helpful to think about the time it takes to complete a task as including all the time you spend thinking about doing it, or stressing about not having done it yet, as well as actually doing it.
That helps clarify that acting immediately needn't be thought of as a matter of becoming more self-disciplined or pushing yourself harder.
Rather, it's a matter of sparing yourself the unnecessary hassle of having to-dos hanging over you, of suddenly remembering (at 3am) some task you should have completed by now, or of feeling bad about not acting as generously as you'd wish.
From this perspective, taking action is the easy option. It's procrastination that's the burdensome one.
Why not cut yourself some slack and just do the thing?
By the way, subscribe to my newsletter, 'Creator Unlimited.'
This is a quick snapshot of all the tools, apps, software you need as a content creator to succeed in your craft in 2024.
Three issues have already come out.
- The Internet's Worst-Kept Secret
- All About Podcasting
- Let Me Tell you About Storytelling
These are worth a read!
So, start there and see if you like what you read.
It's exciting to be a content creator today! There're so many podcast and video apps and software that make content creation so much easier that I see more people entering content creation in 2024.
And it can be hard to keep up with all the good stuff.
That's why I created 'Creator Unlimited.'
Creator Unlimited recaps the best of the best in a sweet easy read. At a glance, you'll know the best apps, software and tools without having to read 15 blogs. It's all here!
"Nothing can hold you back, if you have a vision, time and passion for your craft."
The newsletter comes out twice a month, straight to your inbox. It's a short, snappy 3-minute read. I believe that books are one of the best ways to glean the wisdom of those who have achieved phenomenal things. In every newsletter, I share a book that has influenced me the most in the hope that you too will be inspired by it. I recap some of the podcasts I'm listening to, and uncover some of the top trends in the content creation market.
And you know I love my audio gear. As soon as the latest gear hits the market, I'll share my thoughts and reviews around it.
Interested? Here's the link! Go ahead, subscribe and we'll see you on the other side!
Leave a Comment: