Have less Stress AND be more Productive today
What is that one or two tasks you have to do today that turns your stomach? You know the ones I’m talking about. Those tasks that you, with all good intentions, put on your “To Do” list but they either don’t get done or you just let hang over your head like a black cloud until you finally get around to doing them late in the day.
A few years back I was talking to a friend of mine (who also is a mentor) and lamented about one of those tasks. I don’t know why, I guess I just wanted to whine about it to someone. Everyone knows how productive whining about things can be, so I thought I would give it a try.
Well, my wise friend said to me, “Rather than complaining about it, why not just do it now and get it over with?” I thought for a moment that he was channeling my long departed third grade teacher who tried to give me the same advice when I was 8!
He went on to explain that he attempts to maintain the discipline of doing the one or two tasks that he least wants to do FIRST everyday. Then the black cloud parts, the sense of relief of getting it over with sets in and everything else seems easier and more enjoyable adding to productivity for the rest of the day.
Great advice! I’ve set out to be as disciplined as my mentoring friend. I have to admit that I probably am not as good at it as he is but I can testify that it really works. Sometimes I just don’t get to the ugly tasks until mid-day or early afternoon, but when I do get it done, everything else seems better… and I regret not having gotten it done earlier in the day.
So today, right after I post this entry, I will be doing three things that I just don’t want to do, don’t like to do and have been putting off. I can’t wait to get it done so that I can have a fantastic day!
