Why ways to increase productivity does not work and how to fix it

Do you honestly going to take for this great and important task. But here's the funny friend sent SIFCO, we ought to find something funny in response, and the news today you have not read. Wow, the new album of your favorite band! And then the kettle boiled... If Hercules, standing in front of the Augean stables, he behaved in much the same feats he obviously would be less. Leo Babauta knows why.

Leo Babauta

Author of the popular blog about self-organization and productivity of Zen Habits, journalist and writer.

If you are anything like me, you are constantly striving to find the perfect way to increase productivity.

Unfortunately, it does not exist.

The problem is not the methods themselves, but the fact that none of them can solve several related problems. Here they are:

• procrastination;
• fear of the unknown;
• fear of losing comfort.

Today, in my to-do list two important tasks: to write a post and write the introduction to the course. It's easy, right? Only two specific tasks.

But when I started writing this post, I want to check mail - and I responded to the letter, sent a message to his wife, checked the bank account and a little clean up in the kitchen.

My productivity in the details just rolls over when I save the big things.

And no matter how effective the system is another increase productivity - all of them are useless, when I prokrastiniruyu.

If I am waiting for an unpleasant thing, I save it, like most of us. If the problem a lot of uncertainty, and I do not know how to approach it, I did save - again, like most of us.

We install a new application from the task lists, trying to bring order in the mailbox or read about a new way to become more productive (just like you are now) - and all this just to not engage in unpleasant or confusing things.

It is much easier to solve minor issues and perform tiny tasks than to approach big and important - and this frightening - case.

We go to the website of our bank to check the account balance, look in a couple of favorite blogs, read the news, open the tape in social networks... the list is endless. All this does not require us no trouble, and in return we always get something nice.

At the same time, to proceed to the complex case, more efforts are needed, which are often not rewarded. Too unequal struggle, right?

Can I do something about it? Of course. There are several effective ways.

pause

You need to ignore the small tasks and anything that distracts you. Step away from the computer, walk, take a shower, meditate or just sit for a moment in silence. It's enough. Think about what you have to perform, rather than succumb to the temptation of simple and pleasant things.

Remember, for whom you do it

Who will be the best when you run this large and important task? Your colleagues, clients or loved one? Or do you own? How a finished thing will affect that person? Perhaps it would make his life easier, solve the truly painful question or give him something, what he desperately needs.

I have found that usually save the case when I think about my own well-being, but overcome procrastinationWhen I know that I must help someone else.

Immerse yourself in discomfort

Do not be distracted no matter what, just be engaged in this most unpleasant thing - at least for a few minutes. Yes, I am feeling so-so, but once you do, and you will realize that it is not so scary. If diving into the icy water - do not think, just take a dip.

Humble with uncertainty

Very often it is fear of the unknown keeps us get down to business. We do not know how to act and what eventually happened - and it's scary. We can not work under these conditions, we even think about it do not want. We put it in the closet and come up with an excuse such behavior.

You should instead accept uncertainty as an integral part of life. Unless someone wants to live in a world where everything is always known in advance? It's so boring! It is thanks to our lives are filled with uncertainty and discovery, adventure and new knowledge. Take the uncertainty and you will see that it can give you.

Do not hurry

Engage in unpleasant chores and fight fear of the unknown quite difficult. So do not overreach. Move slowly. Work on the task of a few minutes, then take a break. Then again, let yourself dive into the discomfort and uncertainty. Repeat until you reach the result.