Recently, I had a serious conversation with Kid 2.0 after several important tasks remained undone, even though he insisted he had worked on them.
I asked him what had caused the lapse, and his answer revealed several problems that sounded all too familiar to me.
He explained that he was good at listing tasks that would theoretically lead to the intended result. But then, either he’d delay starting because of the mountain of tasks ahead or he wouldn’t even know where to begin.
If he did eventually start, the urge to procrastinate would set in, and any interruption would be a welcome excuse to quit and later pick up with another task from the list. The end result was a feeling of having a lot to do but not really making progress on anything. This led to frustration and ultimately to leaving everything undone under the impression of personal failure.
A classic vicious cycle, and I can genuinely empathize. I pondered which advice I could give him. Among all the tactics I’ve tried and learned over the years, I chose a few simple ideas to suggest to him and told him that it is ok to pick favourites.
And — lo and behold! — in the following days, things started moving forward without dragging us all into the familiar cycle of admonition and procrastination.
What ideas? Glad you asked 🙂
Idea 1: Eat the Frog first.
This advice might sound odd, but it’s a proven method to productively start working on a sprawling to-do list. The “frog” symbolizes the task one dreads the most. Tackling it first has three effects for me:
I generally have more discipline and energy at the outset. So, chances are higher that I’ll manage the “frog” rather than saving it for later.Once the frog is done, all other tasks seem more enjoyable in comparison. Plus, a start is made, making things flow smoother.Personally, it feels good not to put off any tasks I dread, boosting my confidence and drive for the rest of the day.
Idea 2: Start with the simplest task.
The advantage of this method is clear: you can quickly tick off a task and celebrate this small victory, moving away from the metaphorical “blank page.” Also, the temptation to procrastinate is lessened with simple tasks. Focus on one task, complete it, and relish the satisfaction. This often provides the momentum for more tasks on the list. Perhaps tackle the “frog” next?
Idea 3: Start with the task you enjoy the most.
Starting with a task that brings joy initiates a positive momentum and probably drives one to complete it in one go. The trick, again, is not to get distracted. One task at a time. Avoid unplanned task hopping. It’s more important to tick things off than to advance various tasks simultaneously.
Idea 4: Work the problem one tomato at a time.
Now, the sheer length of each task might be the actual deterrent. Maybe it’s hard to stay motivated and focused on a topic for an extended period?
The so-called Pomodoro technique helps me here.
Named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timers, the idea is to set such a timer. For me, a 12–15 minute window works well. All it requires is a promise to oneself to DEDICATE these minutes EXCLUSIVELY to one (and only one!) task. This means muting all distractions like WhatsApp, etc., for these 15 minutes. Focus entirely on this one task! Afterward, take an equally essential 15-minute break. But, stick with the chosen task until it’s complete.
It’s astonishing how much can be done by staying dedicated to one task rather than constantly jumping around.
Which leads to my
final tip: Be kind to yourselves!
We tend to write overly lengthy lists, overestimating what we might achieve. Instead, it pays to have two lists: Create your “big” list and assume that this is for your ideal self.
Then, ponder how the list would look if you were crafting it for the unmotivated, frustrated, or stressed version of yourself. In other words, ask yourself what you could accomplish even on a bad day.
Highlight these tasks and start with this list. Chances are, not every day is your worst, and not only will you get the satisfaction of having done the bare minimum, but you can then proceed with the other tasks.
By doing this, you avoid paralyzing frustration set by standards you can only achieve on your best days. In return, you’re rewarded with achieved goals and the progress you desired when crafting your list(s). And that’s definitely worth it.
Picture created by Midjourney
This text is completely written by me. However, the original version is in German and I asked chatGPT to help with the translation.
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