Too Much on Your Plate and Wish You Knew Where to Start? 3 Tips to Successfully Start and Finish Your Work for the Day



Dear Real Academics,

Are you feeling as though you have too many things on your "to-do" list?

Are you wanting to get things done, but feel directionless about where to start?

Try these 3 ideas to help you (1) start, (2) get things done, and (3) get the weight of the "to-do list" off your shoulders.


(1) Do the hard things first.

“Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.” — Dale Carnegie

It might sound counter-intuitive, but doing the hard things first will psychologically take a huge weight off of your shoulders and make everything else you need to do feel easier.

  • Take a look at your to do list, and prioritize 2-3 of the most important things you need to get done.
  • Highlight them in some way and commit to doing getting these tasks done (or started) before doing any of the rest.
Note: This is why it's often helpful for academics to get their writing done before anything else, especially when they understand that writing is priority for everything from graduating, annual reviews, and tenure and promotion. 

For ideas on how to structure your writing time watch this short video, "Structuring Your Writing Time for Maximum Productivity".

(2) Use a timer.

Once you've committed to what you are going to get done, set a timer and commit to focusing on doing the task until the thing gets done. 

A few caveats:
  • Don't hurt yourself. Work in incremental chunks to get the task(s) done.

  • Manage interruptions to the extent you are able (e.g., turning off your social media, cell phone) and commit to anticipating and refocusing regarding interruptions you cannot control.

  • If the task is very large, break it down into manageable chunks throughout the week (or whatever timeline) until it gets done. Work your way backward from the deadline.
For ideas on how to do the above watch this short video, "How You can Establish Focused Productivity".


(3) Reflect and plan for tomorrow.

Reflection is the most effective "key for closure" for a work session or day.

Reflection can happen at the end of your productivity time and/or at the end of the entire day. 
I would recommend both.

Reflection can be as simple taking 5 minutes to answer (preferably in writing on some sort of planner or writing log):
  • "What went right (today)?"

  • "What got in the way of my productivity?"

  • "What can I do tomorrow to make things more productive, keep things productive, and/or finish?"
Then stop. 

Call the productivity session to an end.

Call it a day.

Close your planner, log, and computer, and go have a life (or do the other less important things and then stop for the day).

You'll be more energized and ready to pick up where you left off the next day.

Our challenge to you: Try out one or all of these tips. (It's better to do then all together, though). Then, let us know how it goes!

If and only if you feel comfortable sharing, please email us at inforealacademics@gmail.com and/or post a comment on social media. 

If you email us, we keep things in the strictest of confidence and share only as general points to help others if appropriate.

Until next time, happy writing, productivity, and truth-seeking,

Maggie

  • At Real Academics we help individuals be joyful, productive, and successful in their academic, learning, and life pursuits. Find out more about us and what we can do alongside you at www.therealacademics.com. 

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