Want one of the best kept secrets in the time management world? It’s called the 2 minute rule.
What we tend to do is pile things that we need to do “later”. So you might get a reminder postcard in the mail from your dentist telling you to make an appointment. So, we “pile” the paper to do later.
What starts as one paper quickly turns into a large pile of things to do either on your desk or in your inbox.
Instead start doing the 2 minute rule. The 2 minute rule states that if you get an action item that can be completed in under 2 minutes, then you will do it RIGHT AWAY instead of putting it in your inbox or on your desk or adding it to your pile of stuff to do.
What to do if you already have a pile? Dedicate some time to going through the pile. As you do, then you will stop and DO every action item that you come to that takes less than 2 minutes to complete. Any action item that takes longer than 2 minutes should be put into your tickler file, and anything that needs to be filed goes into your filing cabinet.
Then, when you have worked through your piles and backlog, commit to doing the 2 minute rule all the time, and you can prevent those piles from ever happening.
Of course, an added benefit is that using this technique will save you HUNDREDS of hours of wasted time. It is truly amazing how much time you can save by doing the under 2 minute activities right away and not waiting for “later”.
Do you need more information about the 2 minute rule, or not sure how to set up your tickler file or filing cabinet? You need Organization for Home-Based Business Professionals. Get your copy today!
To your success,
Dr. Laura
Excellent! I love the concept of the 2 minute rule. It makes so much sense to take care of things right away, rather than to put it off. The longer we wait, the more things pile up.
Yes Andrea, it’s amazing – about 80% of our tasks can be done in under 2 minutes! Keep this habit up and you will see a huge difference in the amount of things you get done. I go into this more in depth in my FREE CD 7 Secrets to Saving 24 Hours of Time Each Week available at http://www.YouNeedMoreTime.com
We have a PO Box. I sit in the car and open my mail – anything I don’t need goes directly into the garbage on the way into the house.
Mary, great tip – I always check my mail over my trash can! 90% goes straight in to the “round filing bin” (trash can) or recycling. Then, the bills go into the bill basket and action items are done (if under 2 minutes) or filed in the tickler file (if it will take me more than 2 minutes).
Thanks for sharing!
Laura
Thanks for the link Mandi! Looking forward to being a guest blogger on your site http://www.organizingyourway.net
Laura
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