How to get things done? Small tips, Big tasks.
Hello friends,
It has been quite some time since I wrote as I have been occupied with things. For starters, I finally shifted and am writing to you from Toronto. The one reason why I do not feel any colossal change is that I have been busy doing things. To name a few:
Packing, and not just any type of packing, final-move packing
Furniture shopping
Pre-university courses and meetings
Interviews
Volunteer work
Studying for my driver's test
This is an excerpt from a long, long list with many sub-lists. Frankly, there were times where I wanted to smack the pause button and hit the hay- and there were times I did- but such is life; there is neither a pause button nor an end to the story.
Last week, I had an interview with an organization and one of my favorite questions asked was: How do you get things done?
It seems like a vague question which makes it so hard to give a solid answer. It took me multiple interviews to truly understand what this question meant; it translates to: How do you manage your time? Being one of the most common interview questions, it proves how integral it is to give a solid and engaging answer. Interviewees not only want to see you getting things done; they want to understand how you get things done and whether it is effective and keeps you going. They not only want people who can do tasks, but people who can happily and effectively do tasks.
Below are some of the ways I manage my daily tasks. It is not an exhaustive list; however, it is a handful of tips on getting big chores done.
A (Why) To-Do list
Sounds confusing? Hear me out.
A (Why) To-do list is inherently a generic list with your daily tasks jotted down. It might be the ripest old technique out there, but 'old is gold' for a reason. Simply take 15 minutes in the morning, or whenever you start your day, to generate a list of all the tasks that need to be done. This aids in the organization as all your chores are written in front of you so you don't continuously have to rack your brain. It also gives your brain some space as the tasks you must remember are already stored externally for you to go back to.
Now onto the (Why).
My approach towards the to-do list is pretty much like anyone else's apart from the fact that my to-do list is divided into two columns. Adjacent to every task of mine is a ‘why to do?’ section where I write down the purpose of the tasks and the end results . Although an odd practice, it certainly motivates me to complete the tasks and reminds me of why I am doing what I am doing. It doesn't have to be something coherent or deep, it can be something as simple as "because it will make me happy." There is this excellent quote by ex-President Lincoln: “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe.” Preparation and organization always leads to strategic and effective managememt.
Schedule your breaks as part of routine
Not many people will agree but scheduling breaks on your lists is as significant as scheduling tasks. My advice would be to add tiny break sections on your to-do lists to signify its worth in the routine. I have been adding breaks on my to-do lists for the past two months and it has genuinely changed my approach towards breaktime. Before this practice, I often used to feel as though I am 'wasting time' instead of getting things done; however, now my break itself is a task that must be completed and as a result, I feel more relaxed transitioning into my downtime. Always remember that your mental health comes before everything so your break(s) should always be given equal (if not more) importance to any other tasks that you have.
Do I want-to-do list + The 5-minute rule
One might say I am obsessed with lists.
There are times where I go haywire and jot down all the tasks I should do onto one list. Like every other human, I have my distinct taste and dread doing specific tasks, in my case: math assignments or English essays. To combat this, I formulate a list called 'do I want to do list?' where I make a note of all the tasks that I should do but am unable to muster up the energy for. After you have completed your initial to-do list, you can come back to this list and see if you still have the momentum to complete some of the tasks you were initially dreading. In the case you still are facing immense resistance towards these tasks, the best possible approach is the 5-minute rule.
The rule is clear-cut:
You take up a task from your 'do I want-to-do list' and set a timer for 5 minutes. Try doing the task for only 5 minutes and see where your head is at when the timer goes off. This practice tricks your brain into thinking the task is extremely short, so you are more likely to give your utmost dedication and attention to it. As the five minutes come to an end, you will already be in a set rhythm and would not want to abandon the task- success. If you still don't feel like doing the task, do not fret as you have already overcome the struggle of initiating the project in the first place.
These are the three main methods I use to get my things sorted but you can tweak this and formulate better methods that work for you. I hope you found these tips helpful and if you have some better tips, please do not hesitate to share some with me via form submissions, email, or on any of my social media platforms!
Good Luck :)
Edited by: Shahd Ayman
