2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
You were honestly going to take on this big and important task. But a friend sent a funny GIF, you ought to find something funny in response, and you haven't read the news today. Wow, the new album of your favorite band! And then the kettle boiled … If Hercules, standing in front of the Augean stables, behaved in about the same way, he would obviously have fewer feats. Leo Babauta knows why this is happening.
If you are even a little like me, then you are constantly striving to find the perfect way to increase your productivity.
Unfortunately it doesn't exist.
And the problem is not in the methods themselves, but in the fact that none of them can solve several interrelated problems. Here they are:
- procrastination;
- fear of the unknown;
- fear of losing comfort.
Today I have two important tasks on my to-do list: write a post and write an introduction for my course. As easy as shelling pears? There are only two specific tasks.
But when I started writing this post, I needed to check my mail - and I answered the letter, sent a message to my wife, checked the bank account and cleaned up the kitchen a bit.
My productivity in the little things goes wild when I put off big things.
And no matter how effective the next productivity system is, they are all useless when I procrastinate.
If something unpleasant awaits me, I put it off, like most of us. If there is a lot of uncertainty in a task, and I do not know how to approach it, I postpone it - again, like most of us.
We install a new to-do list app, try to tidy up our inbox, or read about a new way to be more productive (just like you are now) - all just to avoid unpleasant or incomprehensible things.
It's much easier to tackle small issues and complete tiny tasks than to tackle a big and important - and so daunting - task.
We go to the website of our bank to check the account balance, look at a couple of our favorite blogs, read the news, open the feed on social networks … the list is endless. All this does not require any work from us, and in return we always get something pleasant.
At the same time, getting started on a complex business requires a lot of effort, which is often not rewarded. Too unequal struggle, right?
Is there anything you can do about it? Of course. There are several effective ways.
Pause
You need to abstract from small tasks and everything that distracts you. Step away from your computer, take a walk, shower, meditate, or just sit in silence for a minute. It's enough. Think about what you need to accomplish instead of succumbing to the temptation of simple and enjoyable things.
Remember who you do it for
Who will be better off when you complete this big and important task? To your colleague, client or loved one? Or yourself? How will the completed work affect this person? Perhaps it will make his life easier, solve a really painful issue, or give him something that he badly needs.
I've found that I usually procrastinate when I think about my own well-being, but overcome procrastination when I know I have to help someone else.
Immerse yourself in discomfort
Do not be distracted by anything, just do this most unpleasant thing - at least for a few minutes. Yes, the sensations are so-so, but you just have to start, and you will understand that it is not so scary. It's like diving into icy water - no need to think, just plunge.
Accept uncertainty
Very often, it is the fear of the unknown that prevents us from getting down to business. We do not know how to act and what will happen in the end - and this is frightening. We cannot work under such conditions, we do not even want to think about it. We put it on the back burner and come up with excuses for this behavior.
Instead, it is worth accepting uncertainty as an integral part of life. Does anyone want to live in a world where everything is always known in advance? It's so boring! It is thanks to uncertainty that our life is filled with amazing discoveries, adventures and new knowledge. Embrace uncertainty and you will see what it can do for you.
Do not hurry
Dealing with unpleasant things and dealing with the fear of the unknown is difficult. So don't overexert yourself. Move gradually. Work on the task for a few minutes, then take a break. Then let yourself sink into discomfort and uncertainty again. Repeat until you get the result.
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