The Repercussions of Doing it Later
Even with the best intentions, lists, google calendars, planners…we constantly put things off, promising to do it tomorrow, next week, Later. And not just things but important tasks that need to get done.
It may seem like a small, but chronic problem that you have been managing, but this challenge is affecting all the tasks you do attempt to complete. In fact, it affects your whole day.
There are some simple strategies for a quick fix, but first let’s take a look at what happens with this list that is not being managed efficiently.
The actual step of listing the tasks you need to complete is a great start! It is important to write out what needs to be done so you can spend more time doing, than thinking about what needs to get done. Unfortunately, each time you put off tasks for Later, they spin quietly in your mind all day, making you less efficient as you work through everything else. At times you won’t even hear the thinking but your brain will do what it has to in order to not forget what you are putting off. On top of that, the longer you avoid that one task, the more it remains. In fact, you often spend more time thinking about what you are not doing, than it would take to complete it.
Since the actual goal in list-taking is to create a mindful list of tasks so you can be efficient, as well as present in each moment, without wondering what comes next. But since the list is done, all you need to fix is the way you think about this list. In addition, if you would like to sleep better and wake up without resistance, try writing the list the day before.
The trick to list-writing is to write it, then FLIP it! Rather than first doing what is easiest, most enjoyable or can quickly get checked off, let’s start with the opposite.
Design the perfect list:
Vertically list all the things that need to be completed tomorrow.
To the left of your tasks, number them in order of difficulty. #1 being the easiest, or most enjoyable to complete, with the last one being the most time consuming, difficult or least enjoyable to complete.
To the right of each task, write how much time each task will take. Round up! If you think a task will take 30 minutes, write 45 minutes, etc. If you end up completing it faster than anticipated, you will have extra time. Who doesn’t love some extra time?
Now Flip the List! The last task on the list will now be your #1, while the first task on the list will be the last.
Finally, gather a few positive distractions that can be used while working on the most challenging task of the day. Maybe a sweet candle you can light, a favorite tea or coffee, or ,aybe a few pieces of dark chocolate beside your computer. If you can work with music, put something light on that won’t distract you but will keep you in your seat long enough to complete the task at hand. If you know it is too time consuming or difficult to complete in one seating, add it to the calendar on two different occasions. Always schedule it at your most focused time of day.
The repercussions are obvious: Things that hang over our heads exhaust us mentally and physically. But when you flip your list, everything else becomes easy and you become efficient and effective all day long!