The Two-Minute Rule
In this week's experiment, we'll explore the two-minute rule from "Getting Things Done" by David Allen.
You're ready to trade your boring excel reports for a Substack newsletter. But, that transition isn't just about quitting your job and magically becoming a full-time writer. It's about rewiring your brain. And that takes time and effort.
Let's stop for a second. A corporate job has trained you to think in terms of meetings, deadlines, and performance reviews. You've been conditioned to believe that real work happens in long, gruelling stretches punctuated by trips for yet another cup of burnt coffee.
That type of mindset is killing your creativity. It's the reason you come home from your 9-to-5, collapse on the couch, and think, "I'll write tomorrow."
This is about the time to introduce another tool, which might or might not makes things better for you.
In this week's experiment, we'll explore the two minute rule from the "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. The rule goes something like this: If a task takes two minutes or less, do it right now. No questions asked, no debates, no "let me check my email first." Just. Do. It.
This is a practical approach to getting shit done, popularised by David Allen in his book "Getting Things Done" and later championed by James Clear in "Atomic Habits."
In Atomic Habits, Clear emphasises the importance of small, consistent actions in building momentum. By committing to quick tasks, you begin to shift your mindset away from the overwhelming demands. Each little win builds into a larger habit of creativity and productivity. And, as Clear suggests, small actions lead to big results.
But here's why it's particularly relevant to you:
It breaks the analysis paralysis: You know that feeling when you sit down to write and suddenly your brain goes blank? Yeah, that's your corporate training kicking in, telling you that every task needs to be a big production. The Two-Minute Rule says "screw that" and gets you moving.
It builds momentum: Writing a newsletter isn't about waiting for inspiration to strike. It's about building a habit of consistent creation. Those two-minute tasks add up, creating a snowball effect of productivity.
It declutters your mental space: Every little task you put off is mental clutter, taking up precious brain real estate that could be used for your next brilliant article idea.
And let’s not forget Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art: it’s the perfect companion for understanding the resistance you may feel when trying to start or finish creative work. Pressfield identifies the enemy of all creative people as Resistance, and one of the best ways to combat it is by starting immediately, even with small actions. The Two-Minute Rule helps you do just that—by emphasizing quick action over perfect execution, you defeat Resistance in its tracks, proving to yourself that the act of writing, engagement, and creation is more important than waiting for the "perfect" moment.
So, here are some of my suggestions on how to put the two-minute rule into practice.
Putting It Into PracticeÂ
Okay, so how does this actually work for an aspiring Substack writer? Let's break it down:
Jot down that idea: Had a flash of inspiration for your next post? Don't wait. Grab your phone, open your notes app, and get it down. Two minutes, tops.
Engage with your readers: See a thoughtful comment on your latest post? Respond immediately. Building a community is key to Substack success, and it often takes less than two minutes to make a reader's day.
Research micro-doses: Instead of planning a massive research session (that you'll probably put off), spend two minutes reading an article related to your topic. Do this a few times a day, and suddenly you've got a plenty of material to draw from.
Social media teasers: Take two minutes to craft a Note post for your upcoming newsletter. Consistency in promotion is key, and it doesn't have to be a huge production.
Edit in chunks: Editing a long piece can be daunting. Instead, set a timer for two minutes and focus on polishing a single paragraph.
Here's the beautiful thing about the Two-Minute Rule:
It's teaching you to value quick action over endless deliberation.
It's showing you that productivity doesn't have to mean hours of grueling work.
It's retraining your brain to seize opportunities for creativity and engagement, rather than waiting for the "perfect" moment.
And let's be honest, in the world of Substack writing, there is no perfect moment. There's just now, and the words you choose to put down.