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#ProdChat – 10/23/13 – Tackling Tough Tasks

 

#ProdChat – 10/23/13 – Tackling Tough Tasks

  1. We all have tasks that are just plain tough. In this #productivity hour, we’re discussing how to tackle tough tasks! #prodchat
  2. Welcome to #ProdChat, the weekly #productivity conversation! t.co/h7BYVJS8eG | Today’s Topic: “Tackling Tough Tasks”
  3. So, let’s start with introductions! In a tweet, introduce yourself. #prodchat
  4. #TweetDeck updated their UI. Ugh! Don’t love the new pop-side window for writing/replying. #ProdChat
  5. Q1: WHAT MAKES A TASK DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH FOR YOU (USUALLY)? #prodchat
  6. Right, intros… I’m Michelle. Productivity fan. GTDer. OmniFocus fan. etc… ;) #ProdChat
  7. A1 Not wanting to do it. The inner child cries, “I DON’T WANNA!!!” #ProdChat
  8. A1 Lack of clarify and getting lost on the big scheme of the project instead of focus on the Detail of the task #ProdChat
  9. A1 if it’s outside my “standard deviation” of skills #prodchat
  10. A1: A task is usually tough when it has multiple moving parts, dependencies. #prodchat
  11. A1 in the past if I had to deliver a tough or critical message #prodchat
  12. RT @GTDbloke A1 if it’s outside my “standard deviation” of skills #prodchat
  13. RT @apinaud A1 Lack of clarify and getting lost on the big scheme of the project instead of focus on the Detail of the task #ProdChat
  14. RT @michgunn A1 Not wanting to do it. The inner child cries, “I DON’T WANNA!!!” #ProdChat
  15. RT @rsidneysmith: RT @michgunn A1 Not wanting to do it. The inner child cries, “I DON’T WANNA!!!” #ProdChat <- lmao so true
  16. A1 Oh… if it involves a phone call. I don’t know why, but I hate making calls. Funny, huh? #ProdChat
  17. @GTDbloke Those do make tasks tough for me as well, depending on what role I am in in the project/organization. #prodchat
  18. @michgunn that inner child is a problem usually. Mine will only eat ice cream ;) #ProdChat
  19. A1 unexpected lack of commitment by the other stakeholders #prodchat
  20. @michgunn That’s interesting. I avoid picking up my phone sometimes…with no good reason…possibly for the same unknown reason! #prodchat
  21. A1 how about knowing it ain’t going to go anywhere! #prodchat
  22. Q2: HOW OFTEN IN YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE DO YOU RUN INTO (OR ARE ASSIGNED) TOUGH TASKS? #prodchat
  23. Q3: TRADITIONAL ADVICE IS TO DO THE TOUGHEST TASK FIRST. DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU? WHY, OR WHY NOT? #prodchat
  24. @rsidneysmith A3: Everyone has different rhythms, though…some people are useless in the A.M. Though that’s my optimal time. #prodchat
  25. Q4: HOW DO YOU OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION & INERTIA WHEN IT COMES TO TOUGH TASKS? #prodchat
  26. Q4: HOW DO YOU OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION & INERTIA WHEN IT COMES TO TOUGH TASKS? #prodchat
  27. A3 Yes, I like this advice. Doing the tough task first gets it out of the way and keeps me from procrastinating everything #ProdChat
  28. @MaryChayko It’s true that everyone tends toward an optimal time of day. :) #prodchat
  29. @UbaTheDiplomat @rsidneysmith Beware the all-nighter…it can get you through one task, but screw you up for 2-3 days afterward. #prodchat
  30. @rsidneysmith A4: I play Grand Theft Auto V to take my mind off of my schoolwork. I eventually get around to doing the work #prodchat
  31. @MaryChayko That’s what it would do for me. I do them occasionally for work, but only when absolutely necessary. @ubathediplomat #prodchat
  32. A4 typically more succesfully professionally than non-professionally! #prodchat
  33. Just do it. Seriously. ;) RT Q4: HOW DO YOU OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION & INERTIA WHEN IT COMES TO TOUGH TASKS? #prodchat
  34. A4: I’m a huge advocate of breaking things into their elemental next-actions. #GTD #prodchat
  35. A4: I’m a huge advocate of breaking things into their elemental next-actions. #GTD #prodchat
  36. Me too! RT @GTDbloke: A4 typically more succesfully professionally than non-professionally! #prodchat
  37. A4: Also, I look at my calendar and make a specific time block for that tough task in my optimal work time, so it’s “open road!” #prodchat
  38. @rsidneysmith @UbaTheDiplomat The exception to this is: if you get into a groove, and work is flowing effortlessly…let it flow! #prodchat
  39. A4 create (excuse the pejorative in this company!) a task list #prodchat
  40. @MaryChayko @rsidneysmith True. In fact, I have school work to complete beginning tonight #prodchat
  41. If only it were that simple for me too! :) RT @rsidneysmith: @michgunn If it were only that simple for so many people. ;-) #prodchat
  42. A4 (from my PM time) create a what first before the when, how, dependecnies, who etc. #prodchat
  43. @rsidneysmith A4: I recommend leaving something small “undone” when stopping, then resuming next time with that easy-to-begin task #prodchat
  44. @michgunn Although if @profkrg was here, I bet that works really well to just get willpower through tough tasks! #prodchat
  45. @MaryChayko Who was the writer that mythically left his sentences unfinished? :) #prodchat
  46. RT @GTDbloke A4 (from my PM time) create a what first before the when, how, dependecnies, who etc. #prodchat
  47. Yes! That really works well for me. RT @GTDbloke A4 collaborate it if possible #prodchat
  48. #DCIM351, I’m participating in @rsidneysmith‘s #prodchat right now! Check the #prodchat hashtag or my Twitter feed to check out what I did.
  49. Q5: DOES REWARDING YOURSELF FOR TOUGH TASKS WORK? WHAT KINDS OF REWARDS WORK? #prodchat
  50. Q5: DOES REWARDING YOURSELF FOR TOUGH TASKS WORK? WHAT KINDS OF REWARDS WORK? #prodchat
  51. A4 id the root cause is you’re unsure or lacking the capability or motivation admit it to yourself and get help #prodchat
  52. @rsidneysmith A5: Yes, rewarded myself by buying a PS3. I got a 3.3 in my 1st year of grad school. I also treat myself to a movie #prodchat
  53. @GTDbloke That’s a great point! Sometimes it is difficult to face your id/ego, but it’s likely the best course of action. #prodchat
  54. A5: I’ve devised a series of tiered rewards that really work well for me when I’m facing tasks I don’t want to do, or are tough. #prodchat
  55. A5 It does. Rewarding myself always work for me. It also work for my dogs #ProdChat
  56. Love it! Yeah… I have to agree. RT @GTDbloke: A5 self satisfaction works for me #prodchat
  57. A5: One part of the reward structure is that you need to celebrate the small successes and accomplishments. And, show gratitude. #prodchat
  58. A5: The other side is that some things are mundane, or just plain difficult, and there’s no reason why not to incentivize. #prodchat
  59. @apinaud You jest, but so much of our behavioral motivation is identical to dogs (and other intelligent mammals)! ;) #prodchat
  60. @apinaud give this man a liver treat and tickle his belly! #prodchat
  61. @rsidneysmith Ray, what’s an example of a reward for a mundane task? #ProdChat
  62. @michgunn @rsidneysmith dunno but maybe it should be a better reward than doing the opposite! #prodchat
  63. Congrats, Uba! MT @UbaTheDiplomat A5: Yes, rewarded myself by buying a PS3. I got a 3.3…. I also treat myself to a movie #prodchat
  64. @rsidneysmith I have these last few weeks and then next semester and I’ll have my Master’s. #prodchat
  65. @michgunn It depends on the importance…but it can be as basic as a glass of wine to buying myself a tech gadget or a trip. #prodchat
  66. Home stretch! RT @UbaTheDiplomat @rsidneysmith I have these last few weeks and then next semester and I’ll have my Master’s. #prodchat
  67. A5 take a break and listen to some good Jazz #prodchat
  68. @michgunn Yeah…and of course, my non-guilty pleasure of rewarding myself with reading after accomplishing mundane tasks! :-P #prodchat
  69. @UbaTheDiplomat I’m not in school for anything right now, and I’m ready for winter break! ;-) #prodchat
  70. RT @rsidneysmith: RT @GTDbloke A5 take a break and listen to some good Jazz #prodchat <- I have a smooth jazz playlist on Spotify
  71. @GTDbloke I should add to my Rewards List taking a break to watch some Battlestar Galactica on Netflix! ;-P #BSG #SciFi #prodchat
  72. Q6: HAVE YOU TRIED THE IDEA OF “PERSISTENT STARTING” (FROM DR. NEIL FIORE / THE NOW HABIT) REGARDING TOUGH TASKS? #prodchat
  73. A6 Haven’t read it yet. Can’t believe it… Really gotta get on that. #ProdChat
  74. @rsidneysmith A6: Not really. Perhaps this method will cure my procrastination #prodchat
  75. A6: As those who know me, know I’m a huge Dr. Fiore fan. So, yes yes and yes! #prodchat
  76. @michgunn procrastinating about reading the anti-procrastination book #ProdChat
  77. @MaryChayko It’s really the idea of circling back to a task when you stray. Keep starting at it until you stick to completing it. #prodchat
  78. Teeheehee! ;) RT @apinaud: @michgunn procrastinating about reading the anti-procrastination book #ProdChat
  79. Oh, I didn’t know this was such an unknown bit of material! Yes, persistent starting is really powerful. #prodchat
  80. Think of Persistent Starting as saying to yourself, “I’m going to do X,” over and over every time you’re not doing it. #prodchat
  81. @rsidneysmith just ’cause I haven’t heard of it doesn’t means it’s unknown Ray! #prodchat
  82. There are many ways you can manifest persistent starting, but it’s coming back to the task patiently and compassionately. #prodchat
  83. @rsidneysmith A6: Sometimes this works, but sometimes it’s time to cut your losses and move on to something fresh. #prodchat
  84. @GTDbloke Hahaha…I don’t mean it’s unknown in concept, but unknown as a term from Dr. Fiore. ;-) #prodchat
  85. @GTDbloke That’s a risk. I think for people with attentional deficits, it’s about the “focus” not about the obsession. #prodchat
  86. A6: The trick is to know when to persist and when to move along! #prodchat @rsidneysmith
  87. A6: The trick is to know when to persist and when to move along! #prodchat @rsidneysmith
  88. Well said! RT @MaryChayko A6: The trick is to know when to persist and when to move along! #prodchat
  89. A6 I think I need to read the book otherwise it all sounds too simple #prodchat
  90. @GTDbloke The book has much more to it than just that one technique. Together, it’s a powerful anti-procrastination toolkit. :) #prodchat
  91. well as the car guys would say “you’ve just wasted a perfectly good …: #prodchat
  92. Great chatting everyone!! Catch you next week for another #ProdChat
  93. I’ve enjoyed #prodchat but time to get back to my writing! See you next Wed. 11:40am when you tweet with my class #DCIM351, @rsidneysmith!
  94. Thanks #productivity enthusiasts for today’s #ProdChat! Join us again next week! Check out the transcript tomorrow!

 

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