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Try "two-minute rule" to beat procrastination

Posted at 3:32 PM, Jul 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-19 19:17:16-04

ORLANDO, Fla. — Online shopping, cooking, browsing the internet or just doing whatever you can to delay starting that important project are just a few ways people procrastinate. According to a New York Times article, it has to do with our emotions, and not time management, because we might feel self-doubt and anxiety when looking at a blank paper.

What do you do to procrastinate? According to the Association for Psychology Science, 20 percent of people are considered chronic procrastinators. So how do we break this habit?

Try the two-minute rule: if you want to fold the laundry, change it to, "I will fold a pair of socks." Or if you need to study for that big test, just say "open my notes" to start.

But if you feel forced, do the activity for two minutes only and then stop immediately to leave you wanting more.

Another suggestion is to create detailed outlined lists of things you need to do in order to finish the task. According to a professor from Carelton University, focusing on the next action can calm the nerves. Also, identify browser bookmarks that take up time and put them in a folder to restrict your access to them.

Lifehack.orgalso says to tell others about your goals, that way people will ask about the status of your project or find someone who has accomplished the goal in order to see that your goal is achievable. To find out more about the two minute rule, and its success, read "Atomic Habits" by James Clear to learn how to break more habits.