Vase save
Here is a technique using a vase that saves me a great deal of mental stress. Well, the original incarnation involved a vase. It came into existence on a day that was giving me nothing but overwhelming tasks to perform. I was working at home and foresaw clearly a day of procrastinating and getting nothing done whatsoever. Ok, I told myself. Get a grip. Just pick something and do it. Eat the frog. A half hour later I was no closer to deciding whether to start with writing course materials, digging in the garden, writing a difficult note to a long lost friend, grading quizzes or doing the laundry. Or maybe one of another seemingly impossible tasks on an impossibly long list. Maybe a crossword puzzle? Or a spell in the hammock with a novel? Inspiration struck. I cut up an index card into uniform pieces. On each piece I wrote one of these choices. I put them all in the vase and mixed them up. Whatever comes out, I will do, I told myself.
"Bake muffins for a coffee date the next morning."
Ok! I was off and running. No more worrying whether this task was too trivial in light of the important stuff. When the muffins were baking, I pulled another little card out of the vase and got down to it. And so forth, all day. Of course I didn't get to the end of the pile, but that was a given!
Now I don't use a vase anymore. I mostly play this game with work related matters. I put the things I have to get done on a spreadsheet and then use random numbers to sort the list into a random order. Whatever floats to the top, I do, no complaining or redefining. Then I can move the completed task into another column, where I have to say, I'm quite astonished at the sheer number of things I get done.
It may sound silly, but it's really fun, especially when the moment comes to re-sort the list and find out what I'll be doing next. No, the list is never finished. But that doesn't seem to matter. It does amaze me how often what's important seems to make its way to the top, guided there by providence or synchronicity or just dumb luck I do not know. What I do know is that playing this game has removed entire level of anxiety, stress and difficulty from my work life.
This is attacking the process.
What I actually said was “ this is a spectacular close-up”but talk to text wanted to change it and I thought you might be amused if I left it! Somehow it seems to fit in with your narrative for the day because my totally random comment kind of applies to it!
All that being said, I like your unique solution for prioritizing work or at the very least for providing motivation! I often struggle as you do and may start using your method!
First of all, nice capture of the frog. It really blends in with surroundings.
Next, I like your idea. Sometimes the simple act of making a list of tasks helps to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by the number of tasks. I wonder if I would jump in on a task by drawing it or if I would continue to procrastinate. I really don't have much self-discipline at times. I'd rather play. (Strong pleasure principle I'm afraid.)
July 6th, 2021
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What I actually said was “ this is a spectacular close-up”but talk to text wanted to change it and I thought you might be amused if I left it! Somehow it seems to fit in with your narrative for the day because my totally random comment kind of applies to it!
All that being said, I like your unique solution for prioritizing work or at the very least for providing motivation! I often struggle as you do and may start using your method!
Next, I like your idea. Sometimes the simple act of making a list of tasks helps to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by the number of tasks. I wonder if I would jump in on a task by drawing it or if I would continue to procrastinate. I really don't have much self-discipline at times. I'd rather play. (Strong pleasure principle I'm afraid.)