Principlev1

Contain interrupt-driven task processing within designated

Contain interrupt-driven task processing within designated administrative blocks rather than responding to every small task the moment it arrives.

Why This Is a Principle

Derives from Task switching between different types of cognitive work (task switching costs increase with complexity), Task-switching generates attention residue that persists (attention residue), and Directed Attention as Depletable Resource (cognitive resources deplete). The principle prescribes temporal containment of reactive work to protect focused work. It's the boundary condition that makes the two-minute rule work without destroying deep work.

Source Lessons

L-0830

The two-minute rule for small tasks

If a task takes less than two minutes do it immediately rather than scheduling it — because the overhead of capturing, organizing, and tracking it exceeds the cost of doing it now.

Connections

Derived From (3)

AxiomDirected Attention as Depletable Resource AxiomTask-switching generates attention residue that persists AxiomTask switching between different types of cognitive work

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