This past year has been pretty difficult for me. I graduated college, started graduate school, and encountered a lot of situations that made me wonder if I was on the right path.
When the new year rolled around, I decided that 2018 would be the year that I get my shit together. I wanted to make small improvements in my personal and professional life for a more fulfilling existence.
It’s now August and these are the biggest get-shit-done lessons I’ve learned this year.
A note from future Laramie: This post was originally written in 2018 when I was in graduate school. It may be old, but the lessons are still very relevant. I also used the word “shitty” a lot when I was 23, so be prepared for that.
Make Procrastination Work for You
My first of my get-shit-done lessons is to make procrastination work for you. I’ll admit, when I first heard this tip, I had no clue what it meant. I mean, isn’t procrastination the thing that keeps you from working? How can it work for you?
The trick to making procrastination work for you is learning how to put off certain tasks that need to be done eventually by doing other, less shitty tasks that also need to be done.
So instead of avoiding the shitty homework by watching tv or taking a nap, I avoid the shitty homework by doing the easy tasks first. For instance, you might hate washing dishes, but you would probably rather do that than write an article review for school. So you wash dishes and get that task out of the way.
Once the little tasks are done, you can focus on that article review without getting distracted by the little stuff (looking at you, email).
Before you know it, you will be chugging through your to-do list like a champ. Okay, so it’s not that easy, but it gets easier the more you do it. Also, crossing things off your to-do list is super motivating.
Something to keep in mind: This method only works if you have time to do the shitty tasks later. If you need to get your big, shitty tasks done within the next hour because you have a meeting with your boss, you can’t afford to do the little, less shitty stuff first.
Knock Out Your Tough Tasks at the Beginning of the Week
This year I had a huge epiphany: willpower doesn’t last forever. Just like your energy levels diminish throughout the work week, so does your willpower. Once you run out of willpower, no amount of motivation can get you to do something; you simply don’t have it in you to do.
This realization is important for a couple of reasons. First, it explains why it can be so difficult to get stuff done at the end of the week. Second, it encourages you to schedule difficult tasks on days you have more willpower.
This was a game changer for me and I hope it will be for you. I challenge you to get a good start on your to-do list at the beginning of the week (or whenever you know you have more willpower).
Bonus: if you do it early the week you won’t have to do it later (yay!).
Take Time Off
Of my three get-shit-done lessons, this one is the most important to remember. As crazy as it seems, I promise that taking time off will help you get stuff done. Everyone. Needs. Time. Off.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take time off. When I say “take time off,” I mean completely disengage from the tasks you have to do and only do the tasks you want to do. During this time, don’t do homework, clean, talk to people, or shower unless you want to.
Let yourself sit on the couch and cry over Harry Potter for a while. You need these breaks to build up your willpower and motivation. Without breaks, you will always be running on empty and getting things done will feel more difficult than killing Voldemort.
Final Thoughts
As a graduate student who is taking classes, working, starting a blog, and renovating a camper, I know how difficult it can be to take time off when you have stuff you need to get done. But here’s the deal: if you don’t let yourself rest or give your mind a break, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
The other two get-shit-done lessons are important, but you can’t do either if you are completely burnt out.
You might get stuff done, but it won’t be your best work, you will be constantly stressed, and you will resent your decision to further your education (or get that job, etc.). I speak from experience. It’s not healthy to constantly push yourself to get work done every single day.
Everyone needs a day off. So do yourself a favor and take one.
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