Waiting until the end of the day to do a critical task is tough. On one end, it’s ideal due to the reduction of distractions and the ability to focus. However, if you don’t conserve your energy or find time to recharge during the day, your best self is not going to show up. Our cognitive energy is depleted.
I wonder if part of what separates those who are productive vs. those who are busy is the level of distractions one has to deal with. The noise is louder than the signal for the latter. I admire the ones who are productively lazy. They don’t spend time doing things just to do them.
Social media seems to be a distractor for most, but one universal distractor is the mood of the moment. How many times do we not “feel” like doing something. Although we know we should or need to do it. If it’s important enough, we will drag ourselves to do it; if not, we will make an excuse to push it off till another time. Are distractors merely tasks that we lack motivation for? If so, clear values and purpose can act as an antidote.
“Do every act of your life as if it were your last. It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live”
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus may have planted a hidden gem in this statement. Do every act with purpose and to the best of your ability. If on vacation, be on vacation. If in parent mode, be in parent mode. The goal is to become, and that is only possible with consicous action. To live like this, we must consciously choose our tasks and commit. This can fuel our motivation to do the things we need to do, so we can become who we want to be.
Evaluate distractions and ensure they are worth your time.
