I've taught time management classes for more than a decade. You'd think that I would be an expert by now. There is a big difference between knowing something and doing something though. I know there are only 24 hours in a day. I know that it isn't a good idea to procrastinate. Still, I wish I had more time and still I put off boring or tedious chores. Today's list is a reminder to me and hopefully to you of those tips and tricks that help us stay caught up and on track.
After doing the research for this one, I was inspired to mulch the flower beds. I love the way freshly mulched gardens looks but don't enjoy the labor that goes along with it. Now I can sit back, enjoy a beautiful day on the deck gazing out at happy, weed-free flower beds.
1. Make unpleasant tasks fun
I found lots of ideas on this one. Listen to music. Race the clock. Distract yourself with television or a video. Get coworkers involved. Many years ago when I was a grad student, we had to stuff 200 conference notebooks. Instead of huddling at our desks, we gathered in the conference room, brought snacks, chatted and worked. I learned more about my fellow students that day then in the previous year.
2. Schedule time
the first 90 minutes of your day are for creative work. After that take a break to accomplish something you've been putting off. Brain research says we work in 90 minute intervals and then need time to chat or do something mindless.
3. Delegate
Ever found yourself saying "if you want something done right..." You know the rest, don't you. I am so guilty of this. I like to do it my way. The problem with that is that my list gets too long. Be careful not to give away only the dull items or no one will want to help you. Share the workload and you'll benefit from new ideas and fewer to do lists.
4. Examine the consequences
There are many reasons we procrastinate according to the experts. One is that we are handed work we really don't believe in. Last year my manager assigned me to a project that was clearly going nowhere. We met weekly to create a program that no one wanted. Talk about discouraging! My motivator was looking at the consequence of not doing the work assigned. I would make my manager look bad by not representing the department well. I must admit that I wasn't a superstar on this but I did my part on time every time.
5. Work before reward
My parents taught me this one. Get the yucky stuff done so you can enjoy the fun. I woke up today and got the garden chores finished. Now I can relax. Save the interesting projects until after the dull ones. Do your homework before you watch TV.
6. Simplify
Some of what we have on our to do list is self-generated. The choices we make create work. When you take things out of the environment, you have fewer chores. I have made a conscious decision not to have many decorative items at home.A family friend visited and asked my daughter why the house was bare. Compared to hers, it is. I can dust and vacuum more easily because the table tops are accessible. I won't win any design awards but have hours free to do what I want.
7. Abandon perfection
At least I am good at this one. It's a problem for many though. Wanting everything you touch to be perfect takes time. Too much time. Learn where to invest in the details and spend your time there. Other places a quick and dirty job is sufficient. In the work world, it's important to know the difference. Your cultural mores should help you figure this out.
8. Hire help
This one is for the home unless you own your own business. Sometimes, it is better to pay someone to get a task done than to let it sit on your list undone. My daughter gets paid to wash my two border collies. Trust me, it is a bargain. I don't have the strength or patience. She enjoys the compensation. I can't prune a tree or build a fence either.
9. Spend 5 minutes
When my girls were little the house was full of toys. These toys spread faster than kudzu in Georgia. I read a tip that saved my sanity. We called it 5 minute clean up time. Both daughters were willing to work for 5 minutes. I set a timer and off we raced. It's amazing how much 5 minutes of focused attention can get you.
10. Learn your peak performance time
Brains are wired to work best at certain times of the day. Are you a morning lark, getting lots done before your coworkers even arrive? You might be an afternoon achiever most productive after lunch and into the evening. Use your peak time to get the most important tasks accomplished and save non-peak time for easy-to-complete or mindless chores. If you spend a few minutes making a prioritized list or work needing to gt done, you can schedule them. I do my creative thinking early in the day, early in the week and save the easy projects for Friday when I am less motivated and thinking about the weekend. Frankly my Friday work isn't my best so I plan ahead.
What are the types of chores you put off? Any secrets to share with us? Post your most hated tasks and ideas for getting them done in the comment section below.
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