My brain doesn’t like not closing the loop either. Sometimes I read an email or a little snippet of something as a reward after I complete an arduous task. But the worst is when I read an email to procrastinate working on the hard stuff
Kara, I watched a segment on CSPAN. Brigid Schulte spoke about her book Over Work. She offered helpful information, e.g., performance of work. Regards.
How about this, though? What if, instead of a container for the task, you create a container for the outcome? So, in your email example before a Zoom call, what if your container was to scan your email inbox and delete anything obviously deletable? Say, store sales flyers, political fundraising, email notifications you already saw in app? Then, that 2 minutes could become a) an easy win (more of those the better!), and b) an alley-oop for future you looking at the email inbox distraction-free!
Yes. I prefer to match doing that 'something' with the time and energy to see it through. It could be something tiny or more extended. And when I engage in that "let me just take a quick look" when I don't have the time to see it through, I'm almost always sorry. It permeates into the thing I DO have the time and am focusing on.
I try not to do it, but I'm not always successful. Awareness is the first part. Generally, I have that down. But what comes next- the engaging or NOT engaging part- varies. Your writing about it as 'a thing' gives me more fuel for thought the next time it happens. It highlights more intentionally in my brain. Thank you, Kara.
Kara you totally nailed it (as always!) - yep 100% re the annoying "now I have to return to that thing I didn't properly read & do whatever thing it's asking me to do" - yes, LOVE the new stuff, so much easier to engage with!!!
My brain doesn’t like not closing the loop either. Sometimes I read an email or a little snippet of something as a reward after I complete an arduous task. But the worst is when I read an email to procrastinate working on the hard stuff
Wow I do this all the time!! Thank you for helping me recognize one big way I'm doing myself a disservice throughout my day!
Kara, I watched a segment on CSPAN. Brigid Schulte spoke about her book Over Work. She offered helpful information, e.g., performance of work. Regards.
Conbrainers? Cobrainers? Contrainers? Hmm… needs workshopping. 😆
How about this, though? What if, instead of a container for the task, you create a container for the outcome? So, in your email example before a Zoom call, what if your container was to scan your email inbox and delete anything obviously deletable? Say, store sales flyers, political fundraising, email notifications you already saw in app? Then, that 2 minutes could become a) an easy win (more of those the better!), and b) an alley-oop for future you looking at the email inbox distraction-free!
I haven’t workshopped this yet either… 🤔
I love this and will keep it with me. Thank you Kara!
Yes. I prefer to match doing that 'something' with the time and energy to see it through. It could be something tiny or more extended. And when I engage in that "let me just take a quick look" when I don't have the time to see it through, I'm almost always sorry. It permeates into the thing I DO have the time and am focusing on.
I try not to do it, but I'm not always successful. Awareness is the first part. Generally, I have that down. But what comes next- the engaging or NOT engaging part- varies. Your writing about it as 'a thing' gives me more fuel for thought the next time it happens. It highlights more intentionally in my brain. Thank you, Kara.
Kara you totally nailed it (as always!) - yep 100% re the annoying "now I have to return to that thing I didn't properly read & do whatever thing it's asking me to do" - yes, LOVE the new stuff, so much easier to engage with!!!
THIS IS SO GOOD. Thank you!
Marsha
Brain containers! Love that idea.