Most of that we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get their work done ~ Peter Drucker
Whether in the working world, domestic duties or personal projects, often we are confronted with the sheer drudgery to work on a certain task. Although we recognise the importance of the task in hand, yet we would rather be doing something else.
The usual approach from creating a ‘To Do List’ in a task management software, mission statements plaques to motivational quotes hanging on the wall like prayer paper strings hardly motivate us after a period of time. The sheer determination we had as we wake up in the morning dissipate like the morning dew. Even our will power loses its steam after some time.
Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill ~ Christopher Parker
What we lack is the ‘spark’ to take action. We hesitate in taking action by procrastinating or we avoid it by doing some other busywork.
The contributing factor may be:
- Because of past failures
- The need to sacrifice our pastime pleasures
- The length of time needed to complete the task
- Feeling overwhelmed with added responsibilities
- The environment and the task itself is highly stressful
- Having to deal with the people associated with the task
- It’s a mundane task that doesn’t bring a sense of accomplishment or appreciation
- The task is organised rigidly as a means to regulate and control our time and creativity
- Self doubts on whether or not we have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the task
Notwithstanding, the responsibility is upon us and it has to be done. Furthermore by completing the task, we are fulfilling a purpose or a larger mission in our life. We all have our own personal goals to achieve and sometimes it has to do with our moral values, life principles or spiritual practice.
Delegate your work. Stop spending dollar time on penny jobs ~ Mary Kay Ash
The ‘Why’ factor can be the driving force for us to take action:
- Because of monetary gain
- To experience personal growth with added skillset
- For future prospect or the outcome of it will bring fame
- For personal satisfaction on our ability to perform task without supervision
- The significance and the impact of the task on others and ourself.
- Ownership on the task and the freedom to complete the task as we see fit
- Because the task resonate with our passion.
- Because of the additional knowledge gained to which we can leverage for other projects
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there ~ Will Rogers
Removing The Gap Between Task
The gap between tasks sits the devil with the intention to distract us. Keeping our focus steadily on the task builds momentum so we can easily move from one task to another. For example, keep all that needs to be done within reach including snacks and beverages. So there is no necessity to move away from our workstation and get distracted.
Decision Fatigue
If there is a plan for a workout, have the necessary garments and shoes nearby to remove decision fatigue.
Remove Distractions
A cluttered workstation is another distraction. Having to fight our way through the clutter to find the things we need breaks the momentum.
Mantra Works
Mind can produce many splendid ideas but to stay focus on one task, we need to train our mind. Mind can only occupy one thought at a time, so let it be on the task. Train the mind and the body will follow. Find key phrase that resonates with us. For example, if we need to complete a certain task by 12 noon, we can phrase it as “to complete by 12 noon”. Affirm this to ourself by saying it repeatedly like a mantra, internally.
Expand Our Knowledge
Many tasks require precise knowledge, certain information or a particular skill. Seize the opportunity to acquire the additional knowledge. This will remove the drudgery of getting the work completed. For example, while designing a poster, I would read up about colour combination that would make my poster stands out. This information will be my additional knowledge which I can use for other projects.
Pair Up
Many menial tasks can be paired up to save time or having to work on it twice. Plan to have some tasks in the same route like picking up groceries, dry-cleaning service, banking and other trivial matters. If a project have similarities with the other, save the basic structure in a folder so there is no need to build from scratch on the next project. Always find ways to maximise your time with minimal effort.
Use Visual Treat
A picture of your ideal can motivate you if words don’t. You can find a picture of a successful person in your field for inspiration. Each time you feel the drudgery of things, look up to the picture. This is called Mirroring Neurons where you perform an action similar to the one that you observe of another person.
Finally, life is a journey. To achieve greater height in life, there is always a trial and error period. If these doesn’t work, change it. It is a small inconvenience that we have to pay for the investment of finding out what works and doesn’t. With these experiences, we can impart to others of our knowledge.
Take the first step, like how I started off this article with a title, the rest will flow. Action precedes motivation. Action draws out the creativity juice to flow. Once started, it will be unstoppable. We can then discover what causes it to happen and replicate it for the next task. ~ Gee
Gokila D. Santhanam is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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