Is procrastination causing you trouble? Try using the 5-Minute Rule to get rid of it to be more productive and to finish your work.
When I was a student, one of my worst flaws was procrastination (actually, I’m still quite a big procrastinator, but we’ll talk about that later).
It prevented me from completing things that were important on time (or doing them well).
For instance, if there was a big project that had an upcoming due date, I often waited until there was one week left before I started it (sometimes I didn’t start it until the night before).
I would rush on it and do a crappy job and then (obviously) get a bad grade.
If only I could go back in time, I would tell myself to start the assignment earlier. I would have had more time to do it and would’ve probably gotten a slightly better mark.
Anywhoo, as I mentioned earlier, I still procrastinate. But I have certain tools or techniques that I use to prevent myself from procrastinating too often.
One of them is the 5-Minute Rule.
What is the 5-Minute Rule?
The 5-Minute Rule is a productivity method that tricks you into doing work when you don’t want to.
It tricks your brain into believing that you only have to work for five minutes (or a short period of time) and then you can go off and be lazy again.
However, the majority of the time, you will work for much longer.
This method has done wonders for me. One of the things it has helped me with is creating a habit of reading first thing in the morning.
How I Use the 5-Minute Rule
A couple of years ago, I wanted to start reading more regularly because of all the benefits that come with it.
I specifically wanted to read for at least 30 minutes in the morning before I did anything else.
Most days, I gladly did it. But some days, it was a dread to have to do it. I just wanted to go onto social media and mindlessly scroll or watch videos online (I’m sure you’ve felt this many times before, too).
But -ironically enough- on one of those lazy days, I came across a video talking about the 5-Minute Rule. It looked interesting so I watched it. Immediately after, I tested out the rule.
I told myself that all I had to do was read four pages (which is about five minutes for me to read. I’m a slow reader… don’t make fun) and I can be done with it. But I ended up reading the entire chapter.
Right after I tried it out, I knew this was a good method for me and now I use it all the time.
Another thing that this method has helped me with is getting me to write on days where I don’t feel like writing.
I tell myself that all I have to do is either proofread an article that I previously wrote or write the introduction of a new article that I’m working on.
I always end up doing more than what I tell myself because I get into a zone.
The weird thing about this method is that you clearly know that you’re tricking yourself. But you (I, anyway) fall for it every single time.
How to Use the 5-Minute Rule
So, how can you apply the 5-Minute Rule to yourself?
Whenever you feel like you’re procrastinating, just tell yourself (sometimes you will have to force yourself) to work for five minutes (or for a tiny bit).
However, you actually have to work on your project.
You can’t do it half-heartedly. You have to focus and deliberately work on your assignment. Don’t look at a clock or timer either. You can only concentrate on the task at hand.
By the time you feel like you’re done (or don’t want to work anymore), you’ll most likely have done a bunch of work (so, good job!).
Benefits of Using the 5-Minute Rule
One of the main reasons why you should use this method is because it’s low resistance.
The 5-Minute Rule doesn’t require a lot of convincing. You just have to trick yourself into starting. And that’s the most important thing in dismantling procrastination -starting.
If you are able to get yourself to start on your work, to be still and focused, procrastination won’t be able to creep in.
The reason why is once you start working for a bit, you’ll enter a zone like I do and will be fully immersed in your work.
Thus, JUST START.
Final Thoughts
The Two-Minute Rule isn’t a sexy productivity hack. But it’s simple and it works (and isn’t that all that matters?).
Thus, whenever you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to do something that’s important, just tell yourself to do a little bit of work.
More times than not, you’ll be so focused that you’ll complete the entire project, which will leave you a bunch of time to review it, which will lead to you getting awesome grades (and more time to do other things).
So, just start working for 5 minutes and go from there.