the 2-minute rule

We all have those tiny tasks that pile up—dirty dishes left around the house, a short email unanswered, or clothes dropped on a chair. Individually, they don’t seem like a lot of work. But they add up, they clutter your space and your mind.

That’s where this productivity hack comes in.

The Two-Minute Rule is simple: if something takes less than two minutes, just do it right away.

The idea was introduced by David Allen, a renowned productivity expert, who noticed that handling these quick tasks immediately saves a lot of time in the long run.

Here’s why it works: When you feel overwhelmed, it’s easy to shut down and put everything aside. But by doing small tasks right away, especially ones that take less than two minutes, you stop that spiral before it starts.

Taking care of these quick jobs builds momentum and gives you the confidence to do other small tasks as well.

Think about this: Instead of putting your coffee mug aside in the morning, you wash it right away. Now, you can focus much more easily on your work, because you know you have the dishes sorted. That small, 2-minute job clears doesn’t just clear up the kitchen, it clears your mind.

This idea of small, consistent action connects with an important teaching in Islam as well.

One common trait of people who stay active and productive? They always seem to have their day organized. And that starts with being consistent in every little way.

Show up every day. Stay on top of your laundry. Don’t let the mess on your work table pile up.

While it may sound overwhelming, this will make your life much simpler in the long run. If you wash your dishes after using them, washing dishes is no longer a task for you. It just becomes part of your normal eating routine.

Try easing it into your routine this week—just a few small actions you handle right away. You might notice you feel a little lighter, a little more in control. InshaAllah. 💚

And hey, if it doesn’t quite work for you, that’s okay too. We all have our own different rhythms, and what works for one person might not work for another.