Oh no. I've been doing the 2 minute rule incorrectly for the last 10 years.
I thought it applied at the processing level. When processing an item from the inbox, if it is actionable and can be completed in 2 minutes then I thought it should just be done at that point.
When I reread the section yesterday, it became clear that it applies at the next action level. Any time a next action could be completed in 2 minutes, then just do it instead of writing it down. So, this includes when processing but also every other time I could write down a next action.
Honestly, I have had so much benefit from the 2 minute rule with my incorrect understanding that I can't wait to reap the rewards of it being applied properly. I'm just sad that my GTD clock has been reset. Now I can only claim to have been doing GTD for one day.
Is there anything fundamental that you have misunderstood about GTD that you only realised months or years after you began?
I thought it applied at the processing level. When processing an item from the inbox, if it is actionable and can be completed in 2 minutes then I thought it should just be done at that point.
When I reread the section yesterday, it became clear that it applies at the next action level. Any time a next action could be completed in 2 minutes, then just do it instead of writing it down. So, this includes when processing but also every other time I could write down a next action.
Honestly, I have had so much benefit from the 2 minute rule with my incorrect understanding that I can't wait to reap the rewards of it being applied properly. I'm just sad that my GTD clock has been reset. Now I can only claim to have been doing GTD for one day.
Is there anything fundamental that you have misunderstood about GTD that you only realised months or years after you began?