Balanced Academic

We’ve all been there: staring at a massive paper, dataset, or application and thinking, I don’t even know where to start. The bigger and more important the task feels, the more likely it is to sit untouched on our to-do list while we do… literally anything else. That’s been my day: I woke up motivated, had good energy, and still managed to avoid my desk by doing every possible chore.

That’s when I turn to the 20-minute rule. Instead of committing to hours of focused work, just start for 20 minutes. That’s it.

Why it works

Committing to 20 minutes feels manageable – it takes less mental effort than signing yourself up for hours. This small entry point reduces overwhelm and helps break through perfectionism paralysis. Big tasks suddenly feel approachable.

And the best part? Sometimes you stop after 20 minutes – and that’s progress. Other times, you’ll find yourself in a groove and keep going longer than you planned. Either way, you’ve moved the task forward.

How to apply the 20-minute rule in grad school

Writing: Open your document and draft or revise for 20 minutes. Even addressing one comment counts.

Reading: Don’t dread the full article – commit to five pages.

Data analyses: Spend 20 minutes setting up your code, organizing files, or running one step.

Administrative tasks: Update part of your CV, reply to a few emails, or track your research/placement hours.

Pro tip: If you feel stuck because there are too many tasks pulling your attention, commit 20-minutes to just one. It’s not about choosing the “right” task – it’s about breaking avoidance and building momentum.

A reflection on productivity

Productivity in grad school isn’t about marathon study sessions and perfect concentration. It’s fluid and changes daily. Some days you put in 8+ hours and feel like you’ve gotten nowhere, other days, four hours gets three tasks off your plate. Some days tasks feel effortless; other days starting anything feels impossible.

True productivity is about rolling with those fluctuations and finding ways to move forward, even in tiny increments. The 20-minute rule works because it meets you where you are – reminding you that small steps count, and they often add up to more than we expect.

This week’s experiment: Pick one task you’ve been avoiding and set a timer for 20 minutes. Notice how it shifts your resistance and how you feel when the time goes off.

Here’s to balance – one small start at a time.