How many times have you thought, I should have just done it? Maybe it was asking for a raise, declining an event you didn’t want to attend, or simply sending a message to someone. The moment passed, and later, you regretted not acting when you had the chance.
You’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Sometimes it’s about trivial things, but at other times, the delay carries real weight.
For example when my friend’s father passed away, and I kept postponing my visit. What if they were resting? What if I interrupted their grief? My reasons felt valid, but eventually, I got busy, and the visit never happened. When I finally met my friend at a gathering, the guilt hit me hard. It didn’t have to be that way.
The Two-Minute Rule (and a 30-Minute Upgrade)
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits suggests that if something takes two minutes or less, do it immediately. I’d extend that: If a task takes 30 minutes, finish it before going to bed.
Why? Because those small, lingering tasks—sending an email, making a call, confirming an appointment—clog your mental space. They pile up, making you feel overwhelmed. But if you handle them before the day ends, you sleep with a clear mind.
Applying It in Real Life
After my father passed away two months ago, my mother needed help with her paperwork. At first, the sheer volume of pending tasks felt paralyzing—files stacked up, forms to fill, people to contact. But when I started dedicating just 30 minutes a night, things changed.
Some days, I finished a task in 20 minutes. Other days, it stretched to 45. But each night, I went to bed knowing I had moved forward. Looking back, I realize how much I’ve accomplished simply by showing up daily for those 30 minutes.
Why Do We Procrastinate?
If it’s so simple, why do we put things off?
For me, one reason is discomfort. I have an inexplicable resistance to filling forms, scanning documents, or submitting applications online. Even when my father asked for help with something as basic as uploading a file, I’d feel an internal tightening—a sense of dread. It took me a while to recognize it, but that sensation was resistance.
Do you ever experience this? That subtle, uneasy feeling when you should be doing something, but relief washes over you when you postpone it?
This happens a lot with things like:
- Administrative tasks (forms, bills, emails)
- Personal growth efforts (posting on LinkedIn, exercising)
- Daily responsibilities (meal prepping, cleaning, scheduling calls)
Another culprit? Mindless consumption. We live in an age where there’s always a video, a post, or a notification to grab our attention. It’s easy to keep scrolling instead of acting on what truly matters.
Breaking the Cycle: A Simple Challenge
Let’s change that. Right now, list three important things you’ve been postponing. Pick one. Do it now.
Not later, not tomorrow—now. If it takes less than 30 minutes, finish it before the day ends. Notice how it feels. You might find that the hardest part wasn’t the task itself but the resistance leading up to it.
A Mindfulness Exercise to Reinforce This Habit
To help you stay present and break free from procrastination, I’ve recorded a short mindfulness practice. This exercise will guide you in recognizing resistance, releasing it, and taking action with clarity.
Take 10 minutes, listen to it, and get started on what truly matters.
Because the best time to do it… is now.
Bell The Mind 