Two Day Procrastination Trick
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The two day procrastination trick
Avoiding procrastination. A topic that hits close to home for many of us I’ve got a simple tip to share about managing those moments when you're staring down a massive to-do list and feeling completely overwhelmed (I've been there too many times to count).
This little gem comes courtesy of Kari from our team. It’s super simple, which is part of the reason that I think it’s pretty brilliant.
“When you’re staring at your long list of tasks and feeling buried, take a moment to separate it into two categories.”
The “Two Day” trick.
Here’s how it works: when you’re staring at your long list of tasks and feeling buried, take a moment to separate it into two categories:
Things to do today. These are the must-dos that you’ll tackle immediately—tasks that absolutely need to be handled by the end of the day.
Things to do within two days. These are the items you don’t have to stress about right now. They can wait, and you’ll revisit them tomorrow or the day after.
Start by going through your list and pulling out just one, two, or maybe three tasks for your “today” list. Focus solely on completing those. The rest of your tasks go on the “two-day” list, and you can mentally set them aside for now.
By the end of the week, depending on your list, you’ll have worked through all the tasks without the usual overwhelm that comes with trying to do everything at once.
Why this works.
If you’re anything like me, having too many small tasks (whether they take 10 minutes, half an hour, or more) can leave you feeling paralyzed. Instead of starting anywhere, you avoid starting at all. This trick breaks the cycle by:
Reducing decision fatigue. When you have only a couple of things on your plate each day, it’s easier to dive in and get them done.
Building momentum. Completing just one or two tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment, which motivates you to keep going.
Freeing your mental energy. By setting aside tasks for tomorrow or the next day, you’re giving yourself permission to not worry about them right now.
Getting little wins. When you accomplish one or two things on your list it creates momentum and reduces the feeling of being bogged down.
“Over time, you’ll find this practice becomes second nature, and you’ll feel more in control of your workload.”
How to make it a habit.
Each morning, sit down with your list and decide: What’s my “today” list? What’s my “two-day” list? Stick to the plan, and don’t let the “two-day” tasks creep into your “today” unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Over time, you’ll find this practice becomes second nature, and you’ll feel more in control of your workload. You’ll also notice that those overwhelming lists aren’t nearly as daunting anymore.
“For me, the easiest way out of feeling overwhelmed is all about small steps, small wins, and consistent effort.”
Final thoughts.
Life is busy, and the sheer number of things we’re juggling can sometimes feel like too much. But with tools like the two-day trick, you can regain a sense of calm and focus.
For me, the easiest way out of feeling overwhelmed is all about small steps, small wins, and consistent effort.
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop
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