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20 Strategies to Defeat the Urge to Do Useless Tasks

How many times during the day do you check email, or go to see updates of your favorite blogs or social sites, or shuffle paperwork or make phone calls … when you know you should be doing something more important?

Procrastination is in all of us, and one of the best ways to procrastinate is to do all the busy-work that makes us feel like we’re doing stuff — while not doing the stuff we know we should be doing.

We need to do the important stuff, we know we need to, and yet we don’t. Today we’ll look at ways to strategize against this all-too-common phenomena.

Recently reader c5ask wrote:

“I have read couple of articles on “Defeating the resistance to do useful tasks”. I have been trying to follow this and successful to some extent. I do see markable change in routine activities.

At the same time, there is something called “Defeating the urge to do useless tasks”. I realised, there are certain tasks that we do, because we are so used to it that, we don’t know how frequently to do it. Eg: checking emails.”

So how do we combat this urge? I suggest not doing just one thing, but many. Attack the enemy from all sides, and soon the enemy will collapse. Here are some great strategies for beating the urge to do the useless:

Know what’s important. If your task list is just a list of everything you need to do, you haven’t distinguished between the high-impact tasks and the busy-work. Mark down your top three priorities for the day. Everything else should be secondary.
Make it prominent. Either on your computer or on your wall or right smack in the middle of your desk, have some kind of prominent reminder of what you’re supposed to be doing today
Single-task. I wrote recently about the power of single-tasking, and that’s important here, because if you multi-task, you tend to switch between what you should be doing and what you shouldn’t — the important vs. the useless tasks.
Identify your time-wasters. What are the things that you do most often? For some, it’s email, for others, it’s the phone, for others, it’s a certain website or three. If you aren’t sure, track it for a couple days. Know your time-wasters and you can beat them.
Log them. Sometimes just the act of keeping track of something for a week or two will make you more conscious of things. You could use a service such as pageaddict, or just use paper and pen.
Change your habits. If your biggest time-waster is email (for example), make a conscious, dedicated effort to change that specific habit, from checking email every 5 minutes to checking it at two or three designated times of day (for example). (Read more tips on changing habits: the no-fail method, 5 things you need to know, 13 things to avoid.)
Be accountable. Tell people you’re going to change. Be accountable to them so they can see how many times you succeeded and failed. Daily email updates to your friends is a good method, as is using an online forum, or posting a big tally sheet in your office where everyone can see it. The positive public pressure will help.
Have good reasons to save time. Why do you want to kill your time-wasters? If you don’t have a good reason, it won’t matter much. But if you want to finish work early in order to spend time with your family, or you want to make time for exercise or relaxation or reading or whatever, or you really want to achieve a certain goal or complete a big project … these reasons will motivate you to change. Remember your motivation at all times.
Reward yourself. Each time you resist the urge, give yourself a reward. It could be a treat, or points that earn bigger rewards, or something relaxing.
Unplug. If your biggest time-wasters are online (or email), consider disconnecting for certain key periods of the day. I get my best writing done when I disconnect from the Internet, for example.
Know your key times. When do you have the most energy and get the most work done? Identify those times of the day and make them your “distraction-free” times. Only allow yourself to do the important tasks in those times.
Get rid of distractions. Turn off the phones, plug in your headphones (to block out sound), put up a “do not disturb” sign, turn off your email notifiers, maybe put your email in vacation mode. Get rid of visual clutter around you as well.
Go cold turkey. Sometimes, if an addiction is really strong, you just have to cut it out completely and weather the tough times. If your addiction is email, for example, don’t do email for several days. It’ll be very hard. Pretend you’re on vacation. Then, when you return to email, set certain times and start with new habits.
Block them. Technology is great, and you can use technology to beat technology time-wasters. Stealth Kiwi and LeechBlock are two good ones, among many others.
Batch them. Keep a list of things you need to do that aren’t on your list of three priorities. Then do them all at once, when you have some extra time. That’ll keep you from doing things throughout the day.
Schedule them. Designate certain times of day to do your batch processing of email, phone calls, meetings, whatever. Then, when you’re not at the scheduled time for those things, you know you’re not supposed to be doing them.
Always rethink. Periodically examine the way you do things, and think about whether there’s a better way. That doesn’t mean you need to change things all the time, but sometimes we keep doing something a certain way just because that’s what we’re used to doing. Instead, see if there are things you can eliminate, streamline, do more effectively.
Change your location. If the above strategies don’t work, sometimes it’s good to get away and try a new location. Take a laptop to a coffee shop, work out of a library, work at home (if you don’t already), or otherwise find some quiet spot where you can work without distractions, and perhaps without an Internet connection if you don’t need it.
Focus on results. What do you want to achieve today? Have that achievement be the focus of your entire day. Try to complete that project or major task or goal … and at the end of the day, be sure to assess whether you were successful or not.
Celebrate! If you were able to complete your goal for the day, be sure to bask in the glory of your victory. That good feeling of accomplishment will help motivate you to keep doing that — it’s a satisfaction that is rewarding in itself, but you need to put special focus on it at the end of each day. Do that, and you won’t want to fail at your goal the next day.

Some articles elsewhere you might like to read:

Write To Done: Darren Rowse in Conversation: Top Tips for Writers
Leo’s guest post on Art of Manliness: The Awesome Dad Cheat Sheet: 18 Fatherhood Tips They Should’ve Handed Out at the Delivery Room

—
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

20 Strategies to Defeat the Urge to Do Useless Tasks

We need to do the important stuff, we know we need to, and yet we don’t. Today we’ll look at ways to strategize against this all-too-common phenomena.

Recently reader c5ask wrote:

“I have read couple of articles on “Defeating the resistance to do useful tasks”. I have been trying to follow this and successful to some extent. I do see markable change in routine activities.

At the same time, there is something called “Defeating the urge to do useless tasks”. I realised, there are certain tasks that we do, because we are so used to it that, we don’t know how frequently to do it. Eg: checking emails.”

Know what’s important. If your task list is just a list of everything you need to do, you haven’t distinguished between the high-impact tasks and the busy-work. Mark down your top three priorities for the day. Everything else should be secondary.
Make it prominent. Either on your computer or on your wall or right smack in the middle of your desk, have some kind of prominent reminder of what you’re supposed to be doing today
Single-task. I wrote recently about the power of single-tasking, and that’s important here, because if you multi-task, you tend to switch between what you should be doing and what you shouldn’t — the important vs. the useless tasks.
Identify your time-wasters. What are the things that you do most often? For some, it’s email, for others, it’s the phone, for others, it’s a certain website or three. If you aren’t sure, track it for a couple days. Know your time-wasters and you can beat them.
Log them. Sometimes just the act of keeping track of something for a week or two will make you more conscious of things. You could use a service such as pageaddict, or just use paper and pen.
Change your habits. If your biggest time-waster is email (for example), make a conscious, dedicated effort to change that specific habit, from checking email every 5 minutes to checking it at two or three designated times of day (for example). (Read more tips on changing habits: the no-fail method, 5 things you need to know, 13 things to avoid.)
Be accountable. Tell people you’re going to change. Be accountable to them so they can see how many times you succeeded and failed. Daily email updates to your friends is a good method, as is using an online forum, or posting a big tally sheet in your office where everyone can see it. The positive public pressure will help.
Have good reasons to save time. Why do you want to kill your time-wasters? If you don’t have a good reason, it won’t matter much. But if you want to finish work early in order to spend time with your family, or you want to make time for exercise or relaxation or reading or whatever, or you really want to achieve a certain goal or complete a big project … these reasons will motivate you to change. Remember your motivation at all times.
Reward yourself. Each time you resist the urge, give yourself a reward. It could be a treat, or points that earn bigger rewards, or something relaxing.
Unplug. If your biggest time-wasters are online (or email), consider disconnecting for certain key periods of the day. I get my best writing done when I disconnect from the Internet, for example.
Know your key times. When do you have the most energy and get the most work done? Identify those times of the day and make them your “distraction-free” times. Only allow yourself to do the important tasks in those times.
Get rid of distractions. Turn off the phones, plug in your headphones (to block out sound), put up a “do not disturb” sign, turn off your email notifiers, maybe put your email in vacation mode. Get rid of visual clutter around you as well.
Go cold turkey. Sometimes, if an addiction is really strong, you just have to cut it out completely and weather the tough times. If your addiction is email, for example, don’t do email for several days. It’ll be very hard. Pretend you’re on vacation. Then, when you return to email, set certain times and start with new habits.
Block them. Technology is great, and you can use technology to beat technology time-wasters. Stealth Kiwi and LeechBlock are two good ones, among many others.
Batch them. Keep a list of things you need to do that aren’t on your list of three priorities. Then do them all at once, when you have some extra time. That’ll keep you from doing things throughout the day.
Schedule them. Designate certain times of day to do your batch processing of email, phone calls, meetings, whatever. Then, when you’re not at the scheduled time for those things, you know you’re not supposed to be doing them.
Always rethink. Periodically examine the way you do things, and think about whether there’s a better way. That doesn’t mean you need to change things all the time, but sometimes we keep doing something a certain way just because that’s what we’re used to doing. Instead, see if there are things you can eliminate, streamline, do more effectively.
Change your location. If the above strategies don’t work, sometimes it’s good to get away and try a new location. Take a laptop to a coffee shop, work out of a library, work at home (if you don’t already), or otherwise find some quiet spot where you can work without distractions, and perhaps without an Internet connection if you don’t need it.
Focus on results. What do you want to achieve today? Have that achievement be the focus of your entire day. Try to complete that project or major task or goal … and at the end of the day, be sure to assess whether you were successful or not.
Celebrate! If you were able to complete your goal for the day, be sure to bask in the glory of your victory. That good feeling of accomplishment will help motivate you to keep doing that — it’s a satisfaction that is rewarding in itself, but you need to put special focus on it at the end of each day. Do that, and you won’t want to fail at your goal the next day.

Some articles elsewhere you might like to read:

Write To Done: Darren Rowse in Conversation: Top Tips for Writers
Leo’s guest post on Art of Manliness: The Awesome Dad Cheat Sheet: 18 Fatherhood Tips They Should’ve Handed Out at the Delivery Room

—
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

Posted on 4 August 2008 in Productivity & Organization |
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Comments (60)

Mathieu Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:03 pm

Distractions are a big problem for me. I’m obsessed with my e-mails, msn messenger, checking my sites. I know it can wait, it’s just that reflex…Got to take some time and work on it. Great post Leo, thanks for sharing this with us.

SpaceAgeSage Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:05 pm

“Unplug” — I find I need to do this more and more to catch up and to refocus.

ReturnToManliness Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:10 pm

Be accountable. Very difficult if you are working for yourself or own your own business. But probably the most important item on this list.

Debbi Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:15 pm

Leo, how do you feel about Twitter? I’ve heard it can be useful, but it seems like it would be so distracting.

Leo Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:19 pm

@Debbi: I know a lot of good bloggers use Twitter very well, but after giving it a test run I stay away from it for that very reason — it’s so distracting, so tempting, so hard to stay away from! I stay away from most popular social things for the same reason — IM, forums (except when I’m trying to change a habit), other social sites.

John Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:34 pm

How about making pointless no-brainer top 20 lists for morons who can’t seem to think for themselves or use their common sense? Would that qualify as a ‘time waster’?

Apparently not if it generates web hits….

;-)

Thomas Herold Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:39 pm

Imagine if of only have 5 days left in your life. Would you still do the same thing?

Imagine you had won 5 Mio. Dollar in the lottery - would you still do the same thing?

What is really important in your life, besides what you are doing right now.

Cheers

Thomas Herold
CEO Dream Manifesto

Leo Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:47 pm

@John: You might have a point … although I know that lists like this on topics I’m interested in help me, and I think they help many others as well. Sometimes we just need reminders, something to shake us out of our routine.

That said, if it’s not useful to you, skip it! :)

Shanel Yang Says:

August 4th, 2008, 22:49 pm

Eat That Frog! is still the best book on this topic I’ve ever come across. I summarized it at http://shanelyang.com/2008/06/02/eat-that-frog/ : )

janelle Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:04 pm

Great article..it’s funny because my job requires me to use a computer, so when I come home at the end of working on a computer all day, I find that I am STILL tempted to get on the computer and piddle around. At first it’ll be because I just want to check my email or pay a bill, check the weather, etc. Then, before you know it, a couple of hours have gone by. My boyfriend is the same way. We recently decided that we weren’t going to turn the computer on when we are in each other’s presence, and he has even asked me to put a password protection on the computer at our apartment so that he won’t be tempted to get on it…haha

Naomi Dunford Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:06 pm

The greatest help for me in this was the First Things First habit in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. (Big rocks, and all that.) But not just looking at my month or my week or my day like that. I found I had to start looking at my hours and my half hours and even sometimes my ten minutes. (I guess I’m a little more distractable than most.)

But the practice of looking at a chunk of time, no matter how small, and consciously telling myself to do the most important thing first has been life changing.

Fit Bottomed Girls Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:06 pm

I so needed this post as I’m at fault of this as I’m typing. I really should just go to bed, and catch up on my favorite blogs tomorrow, but alas, I’m doing about 5 minutes of that right now.

Oh, and yes, sometimes you do have to go cold turkey. I was becoming obsessed with tracking web traffic. Nipped that in the bud.

Writer Dad Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:07 pm

The best strategy I have to stay away from useless tasks: run a pre-school. The children don’t permit it.

Thomas Johnson Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:20 pm

Know whats important and make it prominent - this has been very helpful for me in the past and your post has been a timely reminder to get me back on track, thanks!

Vered Says:

August 4th, 2008, 23:45 pm

I had to smile when I saw the title of this post. It captures the issue beautifully. Indeed, there’s an URGE to do useless tasks. I always wondered about it, but I guess you’re right - it’s just our way to procrastinate and delay the big, important tasks that actually require our attention and focus.

I like the idea of unplugging. The internet is a huge distraction. Eliminating this distraction, even if just for a couple of hours each day, is very helpful.

Yongho Shin Says:

August 5th, 2008, 0:15 am

One note about prioritizing - do the things that are important but due later BEFORE the things that are not important but due now. Randy Pausch gave a neat diagram of how to prioritize activities, depending on how important they were and when they were due.

Everyone does a good job of doing first the things that are important and due now, and doing last the things that are not important and due later.

But most people, when given the choice with the two left, will choose the one that is not important but due now. Randy Pausch suggests to go with the other choice. If you tackle the problem now, it won’t have a chance to go to the danger stage of “important AND due now.”

Christopher Says:

August 5th, 2008, 0:21 am

I think I am one of the biggest sidetrackers around! I get side tracked from everything. Being a designer who works from home, the hardest thing for me to do is stay focused. I find trying to simplify the take and take lots of breaks helps. Otherwise I am destined to surf the net of useless information finding out why Batman beat his mom!

http://www.yinvsyang.com

Ann at One Bag Nation Says:

August 5th, 2008, 1:34 am

Could I suggest the wording “mindless tasks”? I think that’s the better word in my case.

Doing mindless stuff - which is often also useless, definitely not productive - is relaxing, right? The internet is evil in this way . . .

Leo, you are a true gentleman; I admire the way you handle negative comments.

John Says:

August 5th, 2008, 1:40 am

I love Zen habits and the sage advice that is often offered here, but I honestly had to chuckle at this post. Isn’t “not reading blog posts with 20 Strategies to Defeat the Urge to Do Useless Tasks” also a way to defeat the urge to do useless tasks? :) I don’t mean to be too critical, since I know how hard it is to reinvent the wheel for a blog of this magnitude but this post does seem to be paradoxical.

Leo Says:

August 5th, 2008, 1:43 am

@John: I agree completely! If you feel that reading blogs is a waste of time, close your browser now! :)

Andre Kibbe Says:

August 5th, 2008, 1:57 am

Unplugging is the number one strategy. It’s amazing how much faster I write when I use a legal pad instead of a laptop. If only there was a way to scan and OCR my longhand into Wordpress . . .

cohnsey Says:

August 5th, 2008, 2:23 am

thanks for the list!

Debs - Food Is Love Says:

August 5th, 2008, 2:32 am

Definitely an issue for me. It’s not just about figuring out how to cut out these distractions, it’s also — for me — about figuring out why I’m so bent on distracting myself in the first place. I do this a lot when I want to prioritize writing but I’m not doing it. Is there something I’m avoiding? A fear of failure? And so forth.

Debs
Food Is Love

Scott McIntyre Says:

August 5th, 2008, 3:15 am

It is almost a task in itself trying to reduce time wasted on pointless tasks, Leo!

With information overload fast becoming a serious drain on our personal resources, it is essential to practice good filtering of the info-flow.

Ever since I read your guest post on problogger a few months ago about how to batch tasks, I have tried to adopt this approach.

It works brilliantly as it makes you focus on one individual task at a time, rather than chopping and changing between a diverse range of jobs.

Like any of your strategies above, however, batching takes self-discipline to actually do it- if you want to realize the positive benefits to your use of time.

xen Says:

August 5th, 2008, 6:05 am

Go with the flow. Do what feels right now and stop worrying. Sometimes procrastination can be good as it can be a positive distraction.

I also feel that 20 ways to save time doesn’t save time, and specially catch the interest of a procrastinator. At least it doesn’t work for me, but hopefully for other people.

Stephen Smith Says:

August 5th, 2008, 6:16 am

>>xen: You do not have to use all 20 ways, the idea of the variety in the list is to provide suggestions for one or two that might work for you.

Pete Says:

August 5th, 2008, 6:56 am

Great post. I always used to think if I was busy, I was accomplishing something. It’s only as I matured, I realized it’s not how much you work, it’s what work you actually are doing. ‘The 4-hour Work Week’ by Timothy Ferris is a favorite book of mine on the topic.

http://yinvsyang.com/

Chris @ Lifestyleproject Says:

August 5th, 2008, 7:49 am

Good tips Leo.

I think that changing location is a great tip. I have free Internet access at my gym and sometimes find that after a workout this is a great place to get some stuff done in a different location to my home office where I have lots of distractions. I think that the workout clears my head too allowing me to focus.

In fact I gave the same advice in my last post (which I completed in a different location!) about eliminating distractions.

Jeff Janer Says:

August 5th, 2008, 7:57 am

Leo,

I really like #8 “have a good reason to save time”…I suspect that age and life stage also contributes to having a good reason to save time. For example, once the post-college facebook generation enters the workforce, buys a home, gets married, has kids, etc. - they must necessarily confront the necessity for productivity as opposed to the luxury of procrastination.

Lisa | Holistic Treatment for Depression Says:

August 5th, 2008, 9:26 am

This is good. I also find that it’s easy to get caught up in the useless stuff when you’re home with the kids, with short bursts of time to do work. It’s like, okay I have ten minutes, let me check my email!

Realistically, it might be better to simply sit calmly for a moment and consider what matters most, to paraphrase Stephen Covey.

Dot H. | Deeper Issues Says:

August 5th, 2008, 9:39 am

When I’m trying to procrastinate, I often find it’s because of some kind of anxiety about the project. That’s when I get those urges to get off track, see how my friends are doing, look for new blog posts. Besides shutting out the distractions, even turning off the modem, I also tell myself to do the hardest thing first, and then the rest will be a piece of cake. Lots of good ideas again, Leo, even if not every reader needs them.

Jonathan B. Says:

August 5th, 2008, 9:40 am

Good list. Small formatting (no bold!) issue on tip #3, Leo. Take care! :)

Jeff@My Super-Charged Life Says:

August 5th, 2008, 10:03 am

Making it prominent works well for me. I have to keep a list right in front of me to help me stay focused.

It is so easy to get distracted. For me, it seems that the important stuff is also often the hard stuff so avoiding it is almost a natural response. It takes self-discipline to stay on doing the right tasks. Thanks for the tips!

Stephanie Says:

August 5th, 2008, 10:43 am

I just tried pageaddict.com. LOVE IT. This is exactly what I need! What a great tool to restrict browsing time.

It’s great to have the kick in the butt, and the means to see the brutal truth of exactly how much time I waste a day online.

Thanks Leo!

chris Says:

August 5th, 2008, 11:26 am

Hey Leo,

I’m doing it right now. I should be finishing my presentation but instead I’m blog hopping and reading your blog. But I don’t call these time wasters. I call them time outs.

I’m probably one of the biggest procastrinator out there. I’ve tried to improve but I lack the self discipline to do so. As a result, I wait until the last minute to finish everything…

Lauren Says:

August 5th, 2008, 11:40 am

I don’t understand all this list-backlash!! Leo, I for one appreciate your lists. Lists have a time and place… not everyone wants to read the New Yorker every time they click on a link.
I should be working right now… the irony is not lost on me.

Decla Says:

August 5th, 2008, 11:43 am

Well I have just read this post as a reward for having got through some tedious work that I really wanted to put off. That works for me; rewards. Publicly stating my intention never does. I just feel worse if I don’t manage it.

I agree with Dot H above who puts off the tasks that are causing anxiety. I’m the same. If I really care about something it gets put off because I don’t want to do it wrong. I have not yet learned the “do the hardest thing first, and then the rest will be a piece of cake” stuff. Even though I know it to be true. I never complete blog articles for this reason and it was the same with university assignments. Ah well. I’m working on it and this list is going to help.

Kimberlee Says:

August 5th, 2008, 11:52 am

I love this article! It’s one of the major areas I have to improve on, and I believe I am getting better about it, one step at a time. I’ve been a reader of your blog for a few weeks now Leo, and I love how personable you are and that you take the time to respond to each person. In fact, you have inspired me to follow my dreams and create my own blog. (Click my name if you’re interested.) Thanks for all you do!

~Kim

TDC Says:

August 5th, 2008, 12:13 pm

There I was starting my working day and about to read your latest post instead of doing what I should have been doing. Read the first paragraph and then left till now, lol.

The best advice for me was tracking what you do. I did this for two weeks a while back and was shocked at how much time I wasted doing stuff which was not important.

Sara Says:

August 5th, 2008, 12:32 pm

I finally realized that email was eating up the time I’d like to spend writing. Now I’m checking my email once or twice a day, if that. I feel ever so much more productive now!

Adam Keck Says:

August 5th, 2008, 14:14 pm

Given the few things I remember from my Theories of Learning class, I think number 9, “Reward yourself,” could be one of the most important actions listed. The gratification for not doing a useless task can be somewhat delayed. For example, you finish your personal project several days later. But, in my understanding from the class, the brain learns really well with immediate positive reinforcement. In fact, the useless tasks probably give your brain a bit pleasure, providing immediate positive feedback. To counter that I think you must provide immediate positive reinforcement for not taking the useless action. Perhaps Lindt truffles or chocolate chips ;). Of course, defending against many useless tasks throughout the day with those items can lead to other issues…

Michelle: When I Grow Up Coach Says:

August 5th, 2008, 15:39 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you Leo! I just completed a 30 day challenge to try to change my multi-tasking ways (you can read about it here: http://whenigrowupcoach.com/blog/category/challenge-mono-uni-task), and these distractions (disguised as productive tasks) were killing me! I added this page to my Delicious bookmarks so I can come back to it when the Multitasking Monster rears it’s ugly head.

Piankeshaw Says:

August 5th, 2008, 16:32 pm

Yin/Yang. We cannot escape it. I have read in several of the comments that the reader should be working but they are reading Leo’s blog instead.

One of the greatest self-help books that I have ever read is “The Power of Full Engagement”. In a nutshell: in order to be fully engaged in a task/activity you also have to fully disconnect at times in order to stay fresh and avoid burnout. Productivity starts to plummet when there is no period of recovery.

I find Leo’s blog a breath of fresh air to disconnect during the workday in order to stay fresh and alert.

etavitom Says:

August 5th, 2008, 16:32 pm

i love the celebrate one!

thanks for the wisdom

Cynthia Says:

August 5th, 2008, 18:25 pm

Thanks for the list Leo! Sometime I just need a reminder…

I procrastinate a lot especially during the day when I am supposed to be working and supposed to be concentrating on “more important” tasks. This is just a reminder that I need boundaries and need to set time a side when I can read blogs, check email, return phone calls. I find myself too consumed by the internet.

So, today when I read this I closed the browser, closed my email (because if something needs my attention ASAP, I will receive a phone call), and wrote the top things I needed to get done today on a post-it and put it on my monitor. The first thing on my list did not involve me to be on the computer, so the list went smack dap in the center of the monitor. Now, I’m just about to #3, so I took a break. Now, I’m heading back to it.

Thanks again!

Laurie | Express Yourself to Success Says:

August 5th, 2008, 22:58 pm

Unplugging from the internet is the best advice I’ve read and I know it’ll solve a lot of my procrastination issues. I’ll do it first thing in the morning. ;) (Really, I will.)

Thanks for the tips.

FrugalNYC Says:

August 5th, 2008, 23:35 pm

Another great post, though some of the content seem to be a rehash of some of your other posts. Not that I mind, I can use the extra reminders. Still working on my GTD changes, starting with Inbox Zero. Slowly getting there. Have to say this is one of my favorite blogs currently for many of the same reasons others have mentioned. I’ve added you feed to my blog side panel, so I don’t miss any of your posts.

Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:

August 6th, 2008, 1:42 am

Great article! The idea of having set times for less important tasks has been a lifesaver for me. I go online once a day for about 15 minutes per day and check my personal email twice a week. (Thank you, Tim Ferris!)

Ultimately, you need to realize there are more important things to do with your time. It’s like people who walk out of a movie to take an “urgent” phone call. They might think it’s because they’re so important that it can’t wait. But perhaps a true sign of importance is being able to put the world on hold so you can do other things that really matter (including taking some time out for yourself). Just a thought…

Darren Says:

August 6th, 2008, 2:19 am

This is a great post and just what I needed. Thanks Leo!

Avi Marcus Says:

August 6th, 2008, 9:22 am

When I am on the net, I often get carried away reading and opening more links. Putting leechblock on the feedreader helped, and I get more work done when unplugged…

designer4u Says:

August 6th, 2008, 10:40 am

I am a biggest time waster of myself. I allow myself to surf the web when working on important task.
I need to follow the single task handling technic also. I try to do lots of things at once.
I like the unplug technic, I hope it will work for me also.
Many thanks for this article.

Bea Says:

August 6th, 2008, 11:04 am

Good post, I really enjoyed it and definitely needed it. Procrastination is my number one downfall and these tips sound like they could really save my butt. Thanks!

Ken | Destiny Building Says:

August 7th, 2008, 9:40 am

I think # 8 is the key to your post. Otherwise it’s so easy to become so busy “getting stuff done” that the important things we need to do never actually get done. Here’s a funny YouTube clip (not mine) that shows the silly extremes that we sometimes go to in doing usless tasks to avoid real, productive work.

“htttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P785j15Tzk

Peg Says:

August 7th, 2008, 10:16 am

Great post Leo.

I have been been struggling with this issue for most of my life. For me it is a constant battle.

I want to stop wasting time but after years of wanting to stop I still do it! Why?

In the end I always seem to get the important things done in time but waiting until the last min causes me stress which makes me cranky.

I have been reading your posts about changing habits but I keep putting off implementing your suggestions. Maybe I am just a hopeless cause.

John Says:

August 7th, 2008, 12:01 pm

Leo,

I posted an earlier comment with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that ‘list making’ (and reading) can be time wasters in and of themselves. I would like to clarify this a bit:

1) I GREATLY appreciate your posts and this blog- I check it a few times a week- usually at home after work.

2) I am finding that the biggest obstacle is JUST GETTING STARTED with what I know needs to be done. If we are each conscientious and strive for excellence in what we do, we should be able to ask ourselves a) what is the MOST important (but non-urgent) thing I need to accomplish today? and b) how can I best organize my tasks today around accomplishing this overall goal?

When I have followed this rule from the moment I get up in the morning until my work day is over, I have had some of the most successful, productive and fulfilling work days of my life.

3) There is much wisdom in my experience with the basic saying “PLAN the work; (then) WORK the plan.” The caveat is that the WORK has to be that essential overall goal (or short list of goals) for the day and how to best organize around them by dividing and conquering.

4) In order to say ‘NO’ to unimportant, perhaps even time-wasting tasks, I need to have already said an energetic ‘YES’ to the greater goal(s) for my day.

5) Start strong and, in the memorable words of the Nike campaign of a few years ago- “JUST DO IT.” Once I have determined what the ESSENTIAL GOAL for the day is(before the beginning of the work day; or if it is a new task that has come up during the workday after a few moments to think it through and organize a plan), I find I do best when I GET RIGHT OUT THERE AND START DOING IT. Trouble (and procrastination, and loss of motivation, etc, etc) sets in when I linger or allow myself to fall into complacency or self-doubt or questioning of my role. Each of us KNOWS in our heart what our role is and how we can best fulfill it- we need to live it out consistently- one day, one decision, one fresh start at a time.

6) SELF CARE- Getting good rest, proper nutrition, exercise, family and friend time, recreational time OUTSIDE of work, helps me to be fresher and more READY to perform well at work. When I do this consistently, I am ready to start the day well and be effective.

7) BEING FLEXIBLE- part of why I personally have deliberately sought to be less obsessive about detailed lists and focus more on an overall priority. When one is learning how to drive a car, for instance, there are a lot of STEPS to consciously go through each time when starting out (i.e. adjust the seat and mirrors, seatbelt, check surroundings, look for traffic, press brake, turn ignition, look over shoulder before backing out, etc, etc). Once all this becomes HABIT and part of a regular pattern of behavior consistently, then focus can be given to the overall task and less obsession over the details, because you know them and do them consistently.

I carry a Smartphone with a calendar, datebook, alarm, that also has e-mail, internet access, and to-do lists, Word, etc. When I schedule an appt I put it in the calendar. When my overall goals and appts for the day warrant me working on a specific task, I plan it, break it down into manageable parts, and do it.

So far so good…

Speaking of which, my early lunch is over and I’ve gotta get back at it.

Thanks again and keep up the great work!

John

MichelleNZ Says:

August 7th, 2008, 18:33 pm

Thanks for the great post , Leo.

I have been doing really well with the 3 MIT’s each day - has made a huge difference to my productivity.

Still struggling with time wasting activities so this post is so relevant for me.

What I find now is that my medium impact tasks (you know the things you’d like to get done if you get time today) don’t get done because of time wasting.

Hence my house is often a mess and my study is behind because I don’t ‘get around to it’.

My new goal is to restrict time wasting and have it as a treat for hard work done :-) Checking out pageaddict - should be an interesting exercise for me and my husband who is a cycle forum addict!

Thanks!

Jax Says:

August 8th, 2008, 0:19 am

I would love to see time management and productivity tips targeting project managers. I’m one and it’s crucial in my job to be aware of what’s happening in emails. If I’m not responding to some emails immediately, it can start a full-scale avalanche. Also, I often have days of 3-6 hours of meetings, and of course, they’re scattered through the day in 1/2-hour increments. I *have* to attend all of them as the project manager.
Anyway, appreciate any advice from Leo and others.

Jack Says:

August 9th, 2008, 12:57 pm

LOL. John … uh, questions… the place or purpose of remedial blog lists, among one’s priorities. Curiously, I note how many of the Bloggers outright admit to avoiding … reading other blogs.

Tip!

Troy Malone Says:

August 27th, 2008, 14:11 pm

Very good post here. I am concentrating on the first two points. It is extremely important to identify those high priorities and keep them top of mind!

With regard to project managers, it is critical for project manager to foster a team environment that filters information up to them. If you are “chasing” information, you will have huge fires and issues. If you create a system whereby your people are filtering information to you, you will be in a position to manage by exception, as opposed to managing on the chase!

Lyn Says:

September 4th, 2008, 9:59 am

Great reminder list of how to just do it. i am a new blogger and writer and certainly can benefit from this reading. Love the reading part and use it to avoid writing often. Going out for my exercise now to get better focused and able to accomplish the day’s work. Thanks.

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