Save for retirement - the 2 minute rule

I'm a fan of James Clear, who writes about science-based ideas for mastering your habits and living an optimal life. It's part of my "if I can only harness my habits" obsession of late. He wrote a great post called How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the “2-Minute Rule” and it totally hits home when it comes to retirement.

The premise is this: if it takes less than 2 minutes to do, do it now.

You know what takes less than 2 minutes? Filling out an enrollment form for your 401k or 403b plan. Get that employee to focus and do it now. It could be the best thing that they ever do, and it takes 2 minutes.

Second: when you start a new habit, it should take less than 2 minutes to do. Every goal can be started in two minutes or less.

We've incorporated little things like this as part of our overall paradigm shift for employees and attempting to educate them into behavior changes.  After all, to become a good saver, you have to start -- even if it's small -- and add to it over time. Save early and often, right? It's not getting employees to  put giant chunks of their paycheck away. It's about getting them to establish the habit of being savers.

In the true spirit of James, what’s something you can do that will take you less than two minutes? Did you sign yourself up for your retirement plan yet? Do it right now.

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