How to get things done
July 26, 2020
TL;DR:
It won’t get done if you don’t write it down. Motivation is for starting things, discipline is for getting things done.
Blockers
Whether it’s dishes you need to do or that recurring thought that you’d like to read more, we’ve all struggled with getting things done. If not, I doubt you’d be reading this :^)
To me, the lack of motivation and memory are the blockers of progress.
Memory
My rule for memory is that it won’t get done if I don’t write it down. It sounds easy but I repeatedly fall into the trap that a task is simple enough to remember. I put my glass bottle of water in the freezer to chill it for a few minutes. I naively thought I would remember to take it out and you guessed it… I forgot it till the next day and it exploded.
I just use Google Tasks to set reminders and have check boxes for the pleasure of crossing items out.
Motivation
My philosophy is motivation is for starting things, discipline is for getting things done. I use a couple tricks to help me with this:
- If a task takes no more than 5 minutes to do, I’ll do it right now
- The biggest lie is that you’ll do it later
- Every now and then, take 10 minutes to accomplish tiny tasks
- Write that email
- Organize your room a little
- Do some stretching
- I like this one because most of us spend our days sitting down in front of a screen
- Accomplish some tasks before you enjoy yourself, save the most enjoyable stuff for the end of the day
- Walking and enjoying the outdoors are great tiny little breaks
- Currently I’m writing this blog post before I play Breath of the Wild
One of my proudest accomplishments is developing the discipline to practice Japanese everyday for at least half an hour for 11 months now.
There’s no secret to getting things done, but hopefully these ideas help you push yourself!