Dan is great. Be like Dan.

On Productivity

My brother-in-law Dan is a champion emailer. If you send him an email, he’ll get back to you fairly quickly. It sounds simple, but most people aren’t great about a speedy reply. Sometimes all we need when we communicate is a quick - I read your email and I acknowledge that you sent it…and exist in this world.

Dan is great at this.

Whether he is aware of this or not, Dan is using the 2 Minute Rule. The 2 Minute Rule is brought to you by David Allen in his book Getting Things Done. It’s pretty straightforward: if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately.

Whenever a new task comes along, you evaluate the time it would take to complete. If the task can be done in two minutes or less, you do it. Do it now!

This applies to tasks that are identified as you go about your day or when going over your to-do list. By handling these quick tasks on the spot, you keep them from piling up and becoming a mental burden.

Pros

• Provides a sense of accomplishment that can boost motivation for larger tasks. Ahhh yes the dopamine.

• Clears small tasks quickly, which might otherwise lead to procrastination.

• Helps maintain a cleaner work environment and task list.

• Simple and easy to apply without the need for specialized tools or systems.

Cons

• May lead to prioritizing urgency over importance, with too much focus on quick wins. Oooh no the dopamine.

• Can interrupt work on more important tasks if not managed correctly. You end up as a hummingbird flitting from small task to small task.

• Not all tasks that seem to take two minutes will actually fit within that timeframe, potentially disrupting workflows.

Who It Works Best For

The 2 Minute Rule works best for people who are overwhelmed by a large number of small tasks and need a simple method to reduce their to-do list. It is also handy for those who tend to procrastinate on minor tasks, as it encourages immediate action.

Note: This will likely be a fixture in my newsletter as there are many productivity techniques to delve into.

On Leadership

Looking for a simple way to show your team appreciation and foster stronger connections? I got you.

Here's what you'll need:

• A calendar

• A list of employee start dates

• A keen sense of awareness

How it works:

First, request the start dates of all team members from your HR department or another similar source. Alternatively, steal the wallets of everyone you work with and scan their driver’s license. Enter these dates into your calendar as recurring annual events.

Next (and this is important): stay alert. Whenever someone mentions a personal milestone—be it a birthday, a new addition to their family, the loss of a loved one, or any significant life event—make a note of it on your calendar.

On the day of the event, send a brief message to the individual. At work, we use Slack, which allows for easy messaging or even scheduling messages in advance. Don't overthink it; a simple note is enough. You'll be amazed at how much people appreciate this gesture. Sometimes, you might even be the first to remind them of their work anniversary. Once you've got this system in place and it becomes a habit, it takes less than a minute of your time. These are great tasks for the 2 Minute Rule. I get a ton of mileage out of this particular technique as it is always appreciated.

On Gratitude

This little newsletter of mine is starting to tick up in subscribers. Little by little and bit by bit it is growing. And this week, I’ve gotten some lovely compliments from friends and family on my writing. And I’ve also had complete strangers say the most wonderful things. Like, they don’t know me. Total strangers! And they like what I am doing here.

That’s just bananas.

So thank you for subscribing and thank you for reading. And if you feel so inclined, share this with anyone you think might find it valuable or interesting.