2 minute rule

James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, states that whenever we are trying to establish a new habit or change an existing one, we should stay on it for just 2 minutes in the beginning.

Even though there is nothing revolutionary about this rule, as we all know that at the starting point, we need to go slow and steady to win the race, I found the exactness of the ‘2 minutes’ quiet intriguing. So, I decided to put it into action.

There are a couple of things in my laundry list – the bottom one’s dates 5 years or more – that I referred to and, on a whim, picked up a random task from the list.

Arranging the bookshelf that held my books, files and folders and other important document.

I told myself that 2 minutes cannot be that massive an ask. I can easily be on it for just 2 minutes – as the rule suggests. So, I put a timer and worked on it for just two minutes. I was able to sort out only half of the top shelf. Once started, I wanted to just finish off the task. But since I had committed myself to try out the theory, I forced myself to stop.

My aim was to try and establish a habit rather than finish a job. ?

The habit I wanted to establish was to work on my personal lists for at least one hour a day. ?

It includes reading, a gym routine, meditation, one carb-free day, studying etc. ?

Once on a task, stopping after 2 minutes was difficult. But the idea was to standardize before I could optimize. For people who are trying to establish a new habit will understand, when I say that the job itself may not be that big a challenge, but challenge is to show up each day.

?Once an idea excites us, we want to go at it full guns. But statistics prove that this ‘going-full-guns’ can be a major goal killer.

?By the 2 minutes rule, I not only cleared up and organize my whole bookshelf, but I have also achieved more from that laundry list in the last 2 months than I did in the last 5 years.

?What did I achieve so far with this 2-minute rule??I completed CIMA and CPA-Australia successfully.

?For a very long time I had these two degrees in my laundry-list but getting into the habit of studying regularly was not happening. One day I would sit for 2-3 hours at a stretch, and then fold up for months.

?This 2-minute rule made it happen.

?I would set up a timer and sit for 2 minutes everyday no matter what; because why not? After all, it’s just 2 minutes! It took me around 3-4 weeks, for the habit to set in. After that the 2-minutes reminder was not necessary. A new habit was established.

?I am now in the process of establishing one carb-free day in a week and at least twice a week meditation. I still study everyday everyday. That habit has been established by following the 2-minute rule

?This is a small little change in order to achieve big goals! Try the 2 minutes rule. If you want to finish reading a book, start with just one page a day. Go to the gym every day and work out for just 2 minutes. If you want to enroll for that degree, get into the habit of studying every day for just 2 minutes. It works!! You will experience a shift in the quality of your day! ??