Types of tasks
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6 responses to “Types of tasks”
I’ve managed to adopt the approach presented in this section, and I like the ideas about defining types of tasks and setting a priority against each task (type). So, I’ve been successful in achieving a balance in my work schedule for all the tasks that were already included in it. This gives me great hope for the future. However, I can’t seem to be able to add the Deep Work element to my schedule. I have concluded this may be timing, mindset, and external factors (people and organisation) which deter me (unintentionally) from setting deep work periods in my day. However, now I know about it, I’ll work a way into my plan to achieve this in the longer run. Thanks
Hi Trevor. I’ll chip in and say that, for many weeks, I also struggle to fit in the deep work element. I see this as an aspirational goal as much as an operational one, and try not to beat myself up when I don’t make it. For me, the point is that my default is that the time is set aside, and I have to make a conscious decision to remove it (if, for example, something urgent or important comes up). The problem is that hardly a week goes by without feeling like there’s something more urgent / important than my writing. It just takes time to recognise that writing is as urgent and important as almost anything else.
Thank you Michael – I’ve taken the leap of adding a 2 hour slot each working day called ‘DW’ in my work calendar for the next 12 months. I aim to audit the number of occasions this DW item is not undertaken, and the reasons for a cancellation or moving of this item; and the impact this had on my work.
I like your suggestion re. the audit process. I know that I sometimes get into the habit of cancelling default slots in my day (this mostly happens with my ‘Writing’ slot) when other priorities arise. Over time, I just start my daily schedule by deleting those slots. Having a built-in audit process would at least encourage me to pause and to ask ‘why’. I’m going to include this step in my own process. Thanks.
Thank you for this.
My task list is largely undifferentiated, and it’s quite disconcerting sometimes and I feel inadequate when I don’t get through some of it. This is likely because I ‘tackle what comes through the door’ so that I make sure I get things done before the deadline. It is too hard though. I’m exhausted by the end of the day and I’m not able to prioritize other things (such as grant aplications)
Hi Simone. I also struggle with undifferentiated task lists. For me, the challenge comes from constantly context-switching between them, not being able to identify what the priority is. I find that a combination task-batching (organising related tasks into groups) and time-blocking (setting aside time to work on each batch of tasks) is helpful. When I also have a good sense of which batches of tasks are prioritised (for example, using the matrix in this lesson), I find that I can get to the end of the week feeling satisfied that I’ve moved projects forward.
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