I struggle with creating office time. When I say “office time” I mean setting aside time for boring tasks like paying bills, having to document or look into something like my health insurance – yuck!
I would much rather immerse myself into a new idea, exploring new paths and concepts. Alas, we all must discipline ourselves to get the less exciting things done in our life.
How I created “office time” to conquer boring tasks
I’ve mentioned a few ideas already for approaching such boring stuff. In my article “Using Self-Talk to Beat Clutter” the key idea is to use reasoning to talk yourself into doing a task. There is the small target of your Aztec Hole that will allow the idea in and then implement it.
Some of you may be skeptical, like my grandchild looking at me when I try to convince him to eat his peas. However, there is the power of psychology to talk your brain into certain things.
Here are a few more ideas to get office time moving along:
Separate space. Give separation to activity, even a separate physical space. Intentionally go there to have “office time”.
It parallels the same idea of not watching TV in the space you sleep in, because your mind connects the bedroom with being awake.
Set your space up ahead of time. If you’re like me, I stall. I wait for the perfect time, get a coffee or treat, I start lining things up on the desk, I leave and go to the bathroom. I know these things about me, and you know your own vices.
Speed your process up by putting your needs into place ahead of time, so your office time is untouched with distractions.
Set a timer. The classic solution to any attention-challenged person. Smaller chunks of time just may be what the doctor ordered to ease yourself into a task or longer project.
Stomp out interruptions. Did you ever think that a task you are avoiding has to do with the fear of being interrupted? I do, because it’s real. It’s hard enough to get into the zone, and then have it all fall apart when your cell phone rings or your kids want you for something.
I especially fear my systems falling apart for a long-term project (I’ve got some photo projects staring at me now). For the really big projects, I have to spread out. It’s hard to spread out for a long time, because life happens.
If I have a table set up with my photos on, it will inevitably have to be taken down when we have guests over. The best I can offer you is to find a more permanent, out of the way place that can handle a long-term mess.
Get a buddy. I absolutely love this idea – I wrote an entire article on body doubles and their effectiveness. You don’t even have to have a real person in the room – go ahead and read it, there are good ideas in there!
Psychology tricks. I address this discussion head on in my article, “Email Avoidance”. Pretty much the same hesitation we feel about office time applies to managing our email.
I first off suggest looking at the deeper issue why you are avoiding office time. There might be some underlying reason that needs to be dealt with. Dealing with it my lift the invisible barrier that’s holding you back. Consider emotional reasons such as perfectionism and procrastination.
Supportive steps such as taking small baby steps, focusing on gratitude, setting up the task to be more pleasant, and creating a motivating environment all help. Again, I urge you to read the article to glean more valuable tips and insights.
Set the mood. Turning on the right music for focus is a proven productivity technique. In my article “Chill Music to Get Things Done” I provide lots of unconventional music and white sounds that have worked for me. It’s definitely worth exploring.
Rewards. Since childhood, the reward system has been imprinted in our minds. Rewards are good. You complete a task and get a break, a fun treat, vacation or some physical object you’ve long yearned for.
Rewards are what gets us through our diets, and it will get you through your office time or long-term project. Don’t forget mini-breaks for stretching or a 5-minute dance party. The reward has to be meaningful enough to get you through the rough times.
Rewards can even be as simple as a “good for you!” certificate you pin to the office wall. When you think about it, don’t we all miss the simple reward system of childhood? Who says you can’t do that for yoursef?
Another reward idea is to buy something for your office to spice it up. Invest more in a framed motivational poster, decor, or office furniture that pulls the space together, making it truly more pleasant to be in the space.
Conclusion
There is work to be done! If you think that office time is getting the best of you, there are lots of ideas here to overcome mental obstacles.
Now go forth and be productive! #inthistogether -Renee
