Weekly Warm-Up

Good Morning Everyone!

Monday mornings don't have to feel like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops. This week, we're tackling that overwhelming to-do list with one simple strategy that productivity experts swear by: the Two-Minute Rule.

The concept is beautifully simple: if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately instead of adding it to your list. This small shift can transform your entire week by eliminating the mental clutter of tiny tasks that pile up and weigh you down.

• Reduces decision fatigue - You spend less mental energy deciding when to do small tasks.

• Creates instant momentum - Completing quick tasks gives you dopamine hits that fuel bigger projects.

• Prevents task avalanche - Small items don't snowball into overwhelming mountains.

• Frees up headspace - Your brain stops holding onto dozens of minor to-dos.

• Reply to that quick email sitting in your inbox • File that document cluttering your desktop • Send a brief thank-you text to a colleague • Update your calendar with next week's appointments • Clear your coffee cup from your desk • Schedule that dentist appointment you've been avoiding • Pay that small bill online • Water your dying office plant

• Start small - Apply the rule to just your Monday morning routine.

• Set a timer - Actually time tasks to calibrate your two-minute radar.

• Make exceptions - Skip the rule during deep work sessions to avoid interruptions.

• Track your wins - Notice how many small tasks you knock out without thinking.

The magic happens when this becomes automatic. Instead of writing "reply to Sarah's email" on your to-do list, you just reply to Sarah's email. Instead of noting "update expense report," you spend 90 seconds updating it right now.

Try the Two-Minute Rule for just your first hour at work this Monday. Every time you encounter a task that takes less than two minutes, do it immediately instead of adding it to your list. Count how many you complete - you might be surprised by the number.

This isn't about becoming a productivity robot. It's about removing friction from your day and creating small pockets of accomplishment that make everything else feel more manageable. Sometimes the best productivity hack is simply getting the small stuff out of the way so you can focus on what really matters.

Start Monday strong. Your future self will thank you.

The Casual Workweek