When a new task arrives, you can always chose between tackling it immediately or postponing it. Which is the right choice?
There are plenty of opinions, gossips, and even studies about this. If you procrastinate, you’re lazy. On the other hand, somebody recently told me: if I have an empty mailbox, what is there left to be done? As usual, the topic has more than one possible way of approach.
There are two factors that help you decide to do it now or later:
- Does it bother you if the job remains undone? Is it an eyesore? Does it unnerve you? Can you find peace of mind even when you see that it’s not done yet?
- How much does it cost you to interrupt what you’re doing? Does it interfere with a routine? How long does it take you to get back on track?
In this post, I discuss the reasons why you want to clear up as many easy tasks as quickly as possible. The next post explains when you want to postpone them.
When you have a small task you need to do, it pays of to do it quickly and only once. The principle is OHIO: only handle it once. When you open your mailbox in the morning and see a few mails that you can answer quickly, you should do it. If you don’t, they will become a mental burden. “I still have to get back to John about this and I still have to confirm that workshop!” Next time you check your mail, they’re still there. If you postpone them again, the nagging voice continues. In the end, you looked at the mail several times and your mind reminded you even more. The total time spent might be 15 minutes or more, but if you answer immediately, it takes you only a minute. How’s that for an effectiveness boost?
I use the OHIO principle to find peace of mind at night. I get most of my ideas in the evening. Even when in bed, I turn on the small reading light and make a quick note. That gets rid of it for now.
The advantage of tackling small tasks quickly is that they’re done. But there’s a disadvantage, too. That’s the topic of the next post.