Tasks like dishes
I mean, sometimes I’ll smile while I’m working too, if I’m really into it. (Library of Congress)
Sometimes, doing work tasks is like doing the dishes after a big meal.
As long as it all gets done, the order isn’t important.
To avoid laboring over the simile, let’s just talk about doing the dishes first.
It might seem like it makes more sense to do the big pots and pans first, but if you have a shallow sink like mine, they might not be able to fit based on what’s already in there. So you can put some soapy water in them and set them aside to soak.
On the other hand, it may seem like it makes sense to address little things like silverware. However, if the sink is full of soapy water, those small things may be invisible below the waterline. Once the water recedes a bit, it’s easier to gather them all in one go, rinse them, and stick ‘em in the dishwasher.
The size of the dish is often irrelevant to how difficult it is to clean (looking at you, cheese grater). But the right tool can make a big difference.
And once almost everything is done, that big pot with all of the caked-on crud at the bottom isn’t so bad. The sink is empty and this is the last thing that needs to be done. The momentum and the promise of completion is enough to carry you through to the end.
The bottom line is that you can wash things in whatever order you want.
So it is with tasks. As long as you’ve prioritized things that need to get done today and limited the total amount of work to that which can be completed in that time frame, it doesn’t matter what goes first. Ease into the day with quick wins, or get the heavy stuff out of the way first. Batch items that are similar and get them all done in one go, or take little nibbles here and there in between other things. Totally up to you.
You may observe that you have a strong resistance to certain tasks regardless of their size. But like the big pot or the cheese grater, they may be less daunting as you clear other stuff out of the way and find yourself on the home stretch.
Sometimes, I’m up for short, complex tasks. Sometimes, I can handle a big, juicy creative project. And sometimes, I can only be persuaded to do something small, easy, and routine. I figure I’ll eventually get to all of it, so as long as the metaphorical hot water lasts, I will keep going, following my preferences and my energy.
Some people have rules about what should go first. They see it as virtuous to tackle the hard things or practical to begin with the long, laborious tasks early in the day. But these rules do not have to govern our choices. We can pay attention to our feelings and act accordingly. Whether we’re experiencing negative emotions (frustration, overwhelm, anxiety, boredom, discouragement, resentment) or positive ones (excitement, engagement, clarity, determination, confidence, gratitude) we can probably find something on the list that matches our mood and capacity.
And if not, we can throw it all in the sink and leave it for later. We’ll get to it when we’re feeling up to it. Maybe we need a little support and encouragement, better tools, a snack, or a walk. And when all else fails, a nap.
How do you organize your work in a given day? And do you break up your solitary work with meetings, or do you prefer longer blocks? What frustrations do you run into, and how do you resolve them?
