philippe99
10/26/2015 - 7:30 PM

GTD series [5]: the two-minutes rule

GTD series [5]: the two-minutes rule

##GTD series: [5] the two-minutes rule##

  • If the action can be done in two minutes or less, do it now, although it is not an urgent or high-priority task. It need not be exactly two minutes, it may be three or five. If you have to read a short text to make the following decision, read it. If you have to send an email or make a quick call, just do it.
  • Note that the "two minutes" action must be compatible with your current context. If the action is related to home and that your are at the office, you have to defer it or put in your next action list.
  • On the same idea, the targeted action must be compatible with the available resources (or energy) you have to run it. If the short action implies your colleague, but that your colleague is on holidays....
  • If you do not complete the result with that action, identify the next action and process it following the same criteria: If you need less than two minutes, do it; if not, defer it or delegate it.

In short, if doing a task within your context and available resources/energy will take less time than processing it (or organizing it in your lists and tracking it timely), it is much more efficient to do it the first time it is in your hands.