Leo Babauta: The hardest tasks are the most important

I'll get to productivity / finance / relationships in a moment, but first about barbell training. I do very simple barbell lifts, several reps, several sets (3 sets of 4-7 reps). Make sure you are in good shape or you could get hurt. Start with light weights, get in shape, and work up every week. The main exercises are deadlifts and squats with a barbell (these are the most important ones), a barbell press standing and lying, an incline deadlift. Add some pull-ups at the end of your workout. Give yourself a couple of days to recover. And, yes, women can do barbell training too. And runners too. And vegans can do heavy weights.

People find excuses not to do heavy weights because it's hard. But it gives the best result in the time spent.

In my experience, many people in other areas try to avoid difficult tasks, and it is these difficult tasks that give the best results and the best efficiency.

Here are some examples:

1. Productivity

Even if you have a long to-do list for the day, you can search the Internet for information, check your email, perform simple tasks, take part in meetings - many do.

At the same time, there may be three really hard tasks on your list that you avoid. And, most likely, these tasks are the most important on your list. And if you got together and put everything else aside, focusing on the first one, and then on the next, and so on, then you would definitely feel the difference. You have crossed fewer items off your list, but you are an order of magnitude more effective. Difficult tasks that you don't feel like doing are usually the most important ones.

2. Fighting excess weight

People do a lot of nonsense to lose weight. A whole bunch of diets, weird exercises, special additives and salads, elliptical trainers, fight dance lessons and calorie counting. Of course, if you can stick to one of these methods, it will most likely work. But there are only a couple of things that really matter, the main one being low-calorie foods. And the easiest way to do this is to eat as healthy as possible. Low-fat protein foods (I eat tempeh, seitan, tofu), starch-free vegetables, a small amount of whole grains.

Eat three meals a day of protein and vegetables, refrain from snacks and high-calorie drinks (lattes) - and, most likely, you will begin to lose weight. Throw in strength training to help maintain muscle mass. It's very simple, but people don't do it because following a healthy, calorie deficit diet is hard. This means refraining from snacks, bouts of gluttony, food at a corporate event, and other sweet and fried treats that are pleasant to pamper yourself with.

This means that you will have to find other ways to please yourself, instead of absorbing food and drinks. It's hard, but it works.

3. Relationships

Relationships are not an easy thing, because while it is very pleasant to communicate with people when everything is going well, everything changes completely when a conflict occurs. It's important to spend time with someone, but when it comes to a lasting relationship, it's important not to avoid difficult conversations. It's hard, so people don't like difficult conversations and try to postpone them. Which, as a rule, only complicates things. Do the hard thing, have a hard conversation, figure out your relationship. Of course, it’s important not to win or stay right, but to find a solution that works for both of you.

4. Business development

There are tons of things you do to grow your business or career, but there are usually a few really hard things that will do the most good. For me, it's about writing useful articles that help people change their lives. For my 14-year-old daughter's baking business, it's about honing my recipes to perfection. It's hard work - which is why we tend to avoid it. We do all sorts of little things, believing that it also helps our business. However, it would be better for us to waste our time on difficult tasks.

5. Finance

How can you improve your financial situation? Spend less, earn more and invest. Pay bills and fees on time to avoid penalties and extra interest. Automate your payments. These are important things, and often they are not easy. Therefore, people put them off. But taking an hour to figure out how you can spend less (less shopping or less entertainment) can help you a lot. Spending 20 minutes setting up automatic contributions to your savings account or investment fund can also improve your finances. Spending 30 minutes paying and automating invoices will save you a lot of trouble down the road.

6. Mindfulness

Many people want to live more conscious lives. And I support them because developing awareness is one of my best endeavors. But these people don't like meditation. Although a short meditation during the day (10-20 minutes already works) is a sure way to improve your mindfulness.

Now, let's pretend that you walked into your day with its limited time and stopped filling it with all these easy tasks.

Imagine focusing on hard, effective things. Imagine spending 10 minutes meditating, then spending an hour on the arduous task of improving your business or career. Another 20 minutes for a tough conversation, and another 20 minutes for improving your finances. 30 minutes - barbell exercises. And another 30 - prepare the right meal for the day.

It turns out in less than 3 hours, but you have already improved your productivity, your business, your finances, your relationships, your health and your existence.

You have plenty of time for other things, but focus on the difficult tasks and the reward will not be long in coming.

A Few Tips for Taking on Tough Tasks

Nobody likes to do hard things because it’s hard.

What to do?

Here are some tips to help me

1. Find out exactly what is difficult for you to do. This will require a certain amount of perseverance and reflection, instead of procrastinating and hanging on the Internet. But this is necessary. After some time, you will have to think less, because you will already know your difficult tasks.

2. Take the time and plan for the difficult task. It could be writing an article or coaching or paying bills. One task, not all at once. Allocate 10, 20, or 30 minutes to it.

3. Make room for yourself to work. Save open tabs, fill in the task list with what you need to do later. Close the browser, all windows, turn off all reminders - just you and the task.

4. Don't let yourself run away. Your mind will want to get away from hard work, because each of us lives with the belief that life is a simple, convenient and pleasant thing. This is far from the case, because by constantly focusing on simple tasks, we make our life difficult and difficult. Focus on the tough task, be aware of your desire to run away, and don't run away.

5. Enjoy. Lifting a heavy barbell can be tricky. And I love that. I feel unrealistically strong, as if I am doing something truly great, as if I am conquering the whole world. Something like this can be felt during the execution of your difficult task. Instead of thinking that you have such an unpleasant thing, you may be amazed at your ability to move such a weight. And be grateful for this opportunity.