The 2-Minute Note-Taking Rule That Could Double Your Productivity

Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

Ever had a brilliant idea strike in the shower, only to forget it by the time you grabbed a towel?

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? That fleeting moment when inspiration hits, and then —blam— it’s gone.

For a long time, I thought the key to staying productive was simply jotting things down.

A legal padin my bag, a sticky note on my desk, a Google Keep and Notion on my phone — I had it all. And yet, I still found myself lost in a sea of messy scribbles, unable to find what I needed when I needed it.

That’s when I discovered the 2-Minute Note-Taking Rule. It’s a small thing that transformed how I manage my ideas and tasks.

What Is the 2-Minute Note-Taking Rule?

The rule is simple:

Every time you write something down, take two extra minutes to decide why it’s important and where it belongs.

Here’s how it works:

1. Determine Its Purpose: Is this note a task, an idea, or a reference?
2. Assign It a Place:

• If it’s a task, add it to your to-do list with a deadline.
• If it’s an idea, store it in your brainstorming folder or app.