My Favourite Productivity Hack as a Bookkeeper: The 2-Minute Rule
Running a business (or a bookkeeping practice!) means there’s always something to do. Emails, receipts, follow-ups, invoices, reminders…it can feel like an endless list of tiny tasks.
One habit has made a huge difference in how I stay organized as a bookkeeper:
The 2-minute rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it now.
From Procrastinator to “Do-It-Now” Habit
In my early years, I was a big-time procrastinator, and I knew it. I’d see small tasks pop up and think, “I’ll do that later”. Later would turn into days or weeks, and sometimes I would never get to it.
Eventually, I came across the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. In it, he talks about the 2-minute rule: if a task will take less than two minutes, you do it right away instead of adding it to a growing to-do list.
I started trying it out, and over time, it became a core part of how I work; both in my personal life and as a bookkeeper.
What the 2-Minute Rule Looks Like in Real Life
Here are some everyday examples of how this looks in action:
Got an email from a client that needs a quick answer? Reply now.
Received a meeting request? Add it to your calendar right away.
Need to organize a few digital files or rename a document? Do it before you move on.
Tax filing deadline is approaching, and you realize your books aren’t up to date? Reach out to a bookkeeper ASAP 😉.
Most of these tasks take far less time to do than they take to think about repeatedly. The 2-minute rule helps you avoid that mental loop of “I should really do that soon…”
Why This Simple Habit Works So Well
What I love about this habit is how much mental clutter it clears.
Every unfinished task takes up a little space in your mind. You might not realize it, but you’re carrying around mental tabs like:
“Reply to that email.”
“Book that appointment.”
“Upload that receipt.”
“Send that document to my accountant.”
When you handle small tasks right away, those mental tabs close. You stop spending energy remembering what you still need to do, and your brain is free to focus on the work that actually matters for growing your business.
When You Shouldn’t Do It Right Away: The Power of Batching
Of course, there are times when stopping for every small task isn’t realistic.
If I’m in deep focus on a complex project, I don’t want to break my concentration every time a tiny task pops up. Constant interruptions can be just as unhelpful as procrastination.
In those moments, I do this instead:
Keep a simple list of small tasks that come up.
Batch them together and schedule a short “admin block” later in the day.
Use that time to reply to emails, send documents, file receipts, and tidy up loose ends.
This approach keeps me efficient without letting the little things silently pile up in the background.
Tiny Habits, Big Impact (Especially for Your Books)
The 2-minute rule is a small habit, but over time it has a big impact:
Fewer things fall through the cracks
Less stress about what you might be forgetting
More mental space for strategy and creativity
Clearer, more organized business systems
But there’s one area where many business owners still get stuck: bookkeeping.
Even with the best habits, bookkeeping is often the task that keeps getting moved to “later”.
When “Later” Turns Into Stress: This Is Where I Come In
If keeping your books up to date is one of those tasks you keep pushing off, you’re not alone. I hear this from so many small business owners and that’s exactly where I can help.
As a bookkeeper working with local business owners across Canada, my role is to:
Keep your books organized and accurate
Help you stay compliant with tax requirements
Reduce the stress and uncertainty around your numbers
Free up your time so you can focus on growing your business
Ready to Take One 2-Minute Action Today?
If bookkeeping has been sitting on your to-do list for far too long, consider this your gentle nudge.
Take two minutes today to send me a message, ask a question, or book a quick consultation. From there, we can look at your situation, talk through what you need, and see if working together is a good fit.