The 2-Minute Rule to Beat Procrastination

Image: pexels.com [{ "selector": ".ebjnl-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".tplfb-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Struggling with procrastination?

The 2-Minute Rule can change how you study

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".sxoka-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".bnfix-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 411px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".jdfqe-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

The rule is simple:

If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately

Image: pexels.com [{ "selector": ".jwrkj-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wntic-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 359px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".bmqea-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Examples:

Writing one formula, reading one page, or sending a quick email

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".osbob-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".emzwt-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 368px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".mfcap-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

It tricks your brain into starting — the hardest part of any task

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".wmntf-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".lxkda-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 403px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".uxrap-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Once you begin, momentum carries you forward into longer study sessions

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".lczeg-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".aunxt-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 385px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".uxdwa-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Small wins build discipline and reduce stress from piling tasks

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".jkceb-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".tskzg-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 429px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".kemez-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Use the 2-Minute Rule daily — and beat procrastination one step at a time

Image: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".lsfxq-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "80%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".obwxm-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 429px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".atxle-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Check More Stories

Image credit: unsplash.com [{ "selector": ".ffjcn-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".gsqwu-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }] ndtv.com

The 2-Minute Rule to Beat Procrastination

08 September, 2025

Struggling with procrastination? The 2-Minute Rule can change how you study

The rule is simple: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately

Examples: Writing one formula, reading one page, or sending a quick email