Tip: Completing The Hardest Task First
I've been known to make a list in my day. Surprise you, this statement should not. After all, list-making is part and parcel to an organized approach to the art of simple, stylish living. Lists are ever so helpful when I'm juggling many tasks across many different projects. Something tells me that you, my readers, can relate.
Over the years though, I have to admit, there are times when The List doesn't serve me. (Gasp if you must, but then keeping reading.) Sometimes, The List took over my life. Completing the list became top priority instead of using the list to add serenity to my day. Sometimes, The List overwhelmed me. It stretched out so long before me, that it immobilized me into inaction. Again, not so serene. Sometimes, I preferred making the list for tomorrow to doing any tasks today. Avoidance doesn't fit in a serene space.
Okay, so perhaps I have a love/hate relationship with lists. (For more on that, stay tuned in the weeks to come!) But now that I know this about myself, I've learned to use The List for good, not evil. And I have one simple tip to share that has helped me accomplish this.
Do The Hardest Task on the list first.
This was a game-changer suggestion when I first heard about it. The idea had simply never occurred to me. Before that, I focused on The List instead of focusing on one task at a time. Moreover, I always chose tasks to tackle on a whim, therefore doing the easiest to-do's (or the most pleasant ones) first.
And you know what? The most difficult task often didn't get accomplished that day, and would be added to tomorrow's list. (And that repeated time and again.)
Here you ask, what do you mean by 'The Hardest Task', Maura? Great question! Keep them coming! I define it as the item on The List that is most important yet least appealing.
Now, The Hardest Task differs for everyone. For me, (in terms of household chores, for example) the hardest tasks are the least fun and most disruptive to my every day life: calling the insurance company to sort out a bill (any bill-sorting-out task, actually); renewing my driver's license; getting my oil changed; etc. etc. etc. You might scoff at these tasks - they are so easy! Couldn't agree more. But for me, I put them off and put them off and put them off. The more I put them off, the bigger and more challenging they grow in my imagination. And before I know it, the simple task had become a big problem (try going through airport security with an expired license, let's say...).
And that's why I've adopted the habit of Completing The Hardest Task First.
What I found in doing this has been of great reward. By completing The Hardest Task First, my self-esteem gets a little pat on the back first thing in the morning, and motivation springs forth for the rest of the day. I'm (seriously) so proud of myself for getting the item completed that I surge ahead with positivity, ready to tackle other to-do's.
Anything that adds positivity to my life is making it more of a serene space. And what's more, by practicing it, it keeps me in today. My hardest task today is different from my hardest task yesterday. When the holidays were over, my hardest task was working out - ugh my body didn't want to! What I'm starting a new writing project, my hardest task is simply BEGINNING. So I assess where I am at today. I don't claim to practice this tip perfectly, but I can't encourage you enough to give it a go.
