Sitting on my writing desk looking innocent, the dreaded Taskmaster of Productivity… my To-Do List. Acting as both friend and enemy, a productivity list is an external hard drive for all the tasks keeping this motherboard focused on her top priorities, namely: 1) Record two breathing techniques for The Power of Breathing ebook, 2) Create a social media post for The 3 A.M Depression Checklist, 3) Vacuum. They aren’t hard tasks, but the resistance surrounding them is akin to facing Mt. Doom in Mordor.
If you have yelled at Frodo to chuck the ring in the freaking lava — it’s so easy , it’s right there , JUST DO IT—you know how this feels. By writing down what must be accomplished, time and attention are chained to a sloppy line of ink. Therein lies the problem.
Whether the list boasts three tasks or thirteen, its very presence screams, “Just so we’re clear, you will never escape being an adult. Forget joy, awe, wonder. The best of your childhood spontaneity is behind you.”
I don’t want it to be this way, but it’s been years — decades — of trying every productivity hack in the book, with roughly the same results. The first couple of hours, my energy is fresh. I’m in the zone. I can cross the “hard” item off. Hello, tiny hit of dopamine. What’s next? Oh, jeez. That’s a long list. Do I have to do everything today?
My brain answers in a rather mechanical AI voice, “Yes, according to our Master Goals for the quarter, these tasks must be accomplished, or you will fail.” Said brain immediately brings up a comparison. Every time I turn around, Joyce Carol Oates is publishing a novel or collection of new short stories. These are not quick romances. She is a master, a wordsmith. I will never be as productive as JCO.
Rough. What do I do? Break for breakfast. Take a walk around the park. Waste an hour answering business emails. I’m tired. My brain needs a recharge. This is why I should live in Europe; they have siestas. By 6 P.M. the nagging hen of my subconscious says I won’t sleep until I’ve crossed off another item. Why am I procrastinating? What will I tell my accountability partners? It’s not like I’m splitting atoms.
I take a shower because everyone knows great ideas happen when you’re naked. BAM. This is it. The moment when invention is the mother of necessity. Anxiety + water = a shift in perspective. Thank god I’m creative. Thank god I’ve taken classes where someone suggested a method that was working for them, and a lightbulb went off in my head. Thank god I have a large water heater.
This is what I know:
- The List ain’t going anywhere. Its presence is essential for the wheels of progress to gather momentum.
- I only have to focus on the top three items driving me to my goals.
- If I must have a To-Do List, I get to have a WIN List.
- I love how I feel when I acknowledge wins. It doesn’t matter what size they are; huge, average, or micro. A win is a win.
- Once I’ve written down my win, I want another. It’s reverse gambling.
- Joyce Carol Oates talks about “The Completion Cycle” in her lectures. Maybe I’ll never crank out content like she does, but having her in my mental circle of influence is a definite WIN.
As soon as I’m dry, I’m jotting down my wins for the day. POOF, a new habit is created that combines a “work” task with a “play” task. A sense of balance descends from the heavens sans trumpets.
Doing this simple productivity hack for a week straight, you’ll see a noticeable shift in your attitude, enthusiasm, and ability to focus. It may be hard looking for wins at first, but every little bit of progress counts. Like Frodo and his companions traveling through Middle Earth, keep moving. Face a challenge and chances are you’ll be rewarded with the likes of Galadrial handing you a vial of light.
That’s what a win feels like, a tiny light with the power of a star beating in your chest. Give it a try and report back if there’s something you tweaked to make this hack your own.
