ADHD UK Discovery Platform · ADHD Product
Follow the two minute rule
The two minute rule is common in many to-do systems. If it takes under 2 minutes then do it now. For many with ADHD the following amended rule may suit better.
- The two minute rule is common in many to-do systems. If it takes under 2 minutes then do it now. For many with ADHD the following amended rule may suit better. “If it takes under 2 minutes then do it now. UNLESS it risks a task cascade into other things. Then it goes on the list”.
The two-minute rule can be particularly good for household chores and small physical tasks.
Does this work for you?
What others have said
Log in to add a comment or vote on others.
You might also like
Getting started technique – Counting
Many talk of a challenge in first getting started. A technique talked to is visualising the start of the task and counting down to starting it. The conclusion of the count crystalizes a jumping-off…
ADHD Work Strategy – When listing task include the why you are doing it
To help contextualise the task and motivate you to do it. When listing task include the “why” you are doing it.
Knowledge Tip – Knowing the difference between lazy and ADHD
The definition of laziness is “the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy; idleness.” most people with ADHD will report being willing to do the task but finding…
Ratings and comments come from people with ADHD sharing what helped them. They are experiences, not medical advice.
For me this works well. Especially the 2 min tidy up before bed. - When I remember to do it!
Fifty something perspective. That 2 minutes job can be too easy to distract you for longer periods. Better to use a to do list and use priorities.
Very much agree in principle. I assume the task cascade means getting distracted doing lots of 2 minute tasks resulting in the major task not getting done.
I'd add 'if you can do it while the kettle is boiling, do it while the kettle is boiling'
I do this already to avoid build up and boost confidence
I have been trying to adopt do it now for a while so I think this is a great tool. It is very hard to remember though.
This is what I've seen my execs do to manage their to-do lists in meetings, just getting the action done, in not much longer time than it would take to add the action to a list. I wish I did it more!
A great way to generate the momentum effect at work by overcoming the barrier to getting started, or for chores on a non-work day. HOWEVER, it is HIGHLY RISKY to use with chores (let alone videos!) on a work day as I find the cascade effect distracts me so much I never start work!
The two minute rule works for me, despite the risk of distraction. Some things feel small but are very important. Brushing teeth, cleaning up my dishes from lunch, watering the plants. These are things I could go days without doing because it always gets shifted to ‘later’ and then forgotten altogether. I’d rather risk getting distracted from work, than end up with cavities in my teeth and dead plants on my windowsill.
Definitely need the amendment! I often look around the room and think there are probably 50 odd tasks that need doing that might take under two mins but if i do them all now i'll be doing them all day. How do you know where to start? And where to stop?!
Really important to help avoid overwhelm by removing these from the system. But risk of cascading into other things big.
I like this idea. I haven't heard of it before. I shall try it. I suffer badly from being overwhelmed by tasks and then once I start, finding too many other things need doing first.
I can spend all day doing 2 minutes task and then the important things NEVER get done
Jobs I think will take 2 minutes never do and hard to predict distractions... jobs I don't like all feel like ling jobs and get put off.
Brilliant idea!
Brilliant idea!
Jobs I think will take 2 minutes never do and hard to predict distractions... jobs I don't like all feel like ling jobs and get put off.
I can spend all day doing 2 minutes task and then the important things NEVER get done
I like this idea. I haven't heard of it before. I shall try it. I suffer badly from being overwhelmed by tasks and then once I start, finding too many other things need doing first.
Really important to help avoid overwhelm by removing these from the system. But risk of cascading into other things big.
Test of 5 stars
Test rating