How To Achieve More Every Day Without Needing To Sacrifice Sleep
4 research backed tips to increase productivity and get more done
Getting more done everyday doesn't require losing sleep.
This is the fifth entry in a 6-part mini-series on how to adopt a long-term money mindset.
In part one, I highlighted the many benefits of thinking in the long run and reviewed research on five traits found to help people adopt this mindset:
Confidence about the future.
Tendency to plan ahead.
Consistency in carrying out plans.
Completing tasks.
General thinking about future possibilities.
In this series, we're taking a deep dive into each trait, and today we are discussing how to complete more tasks—without working yourself into the ground.
4 research tips to getting more done based on the research
#1—Prioritize difficult tasks with big rewards
A common line of thinking—and one that I held before reading the research—is that the best way to be productive is to prioritize small tasks that you can get done quicky.
Focusing on the quick, easy tasks is particularly tempting when you're swamped.
While that will boost your short-term productivity, it can actually reduce your long-term productivity—and the entire point of this mini-series is to start thinking in the long-term. Constantly choosing easier tasks can stunt your growth and hurt your performance over time. It's like always choosing the easy level in a video game; you'll have fun, but you won't really improve your skills.
Research from a 2021 paper titled "Deriving Mental Energy From Task Completion" suggests that tackling your most difficult tasks first, could actually give you a larger mental boost once completed, than an easier task—provided the difficult task comes with a larger reward.
This is because completing something challenging, especially when it turns out to be harder than you originally thought, gives you a sense of accomplishment and replenishes your mental energy, making you ready to take on more.
#2—Prioritize Tasks Based on Urgency and Importance
Think of your to-do list as a set of priorities, not just tasks.
A 2010 study titled "Things to Do Today" found that focusing on what needs immediate attention (urgency) and what will have the most significant impact (importance) can significantly improve how well you complete tasks day-to-day.
It's like deciding to pay a bill that's due tomorrow over organizing your desk. The former directly affects your well-being, making it both urgent and important.
Prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance can help you avoid very painful financial mistakes like forgetting to pay your credit card bill on time. It can also go a long way to reducing the avoidable stress of always feeling like deadlines are constantly closing in on you.
#3—Create ‘ implementation intentions’ for when you complete certain tasks
Imagine you're planning a road trip to a place you've never been before.
You wouldn't just jump in the car and start driving in what you hope is the right direction.
You'd use a GPS or map to plan your route, This is essentially what implementation intentions are about, but instead of navigating roads, you're navigating your day and the tasks within it.
The idea comes from r the "Things to Do Today" study, which suggests that creating specific, actionable plans can significantly boost your ability to follow through on your intentions.
I’ll stick with the GPS analogy to clarify how this works.
Step 1: Setting Your Destination (Defining Your Task).
Just as you input your destination into the GPS, clearly define what task you need to complete. Be as specific as possible.
Instead of saying, "I need to work," say, "I need to complete the monthly sales report."
One is vague and leads you nowhere, and the other is specific and gives you a place to start.
Step 2: Planning Your Route (Creating If this, then that plans).
This is where you establish your if this, then that scenarios.
Think of these as checkpoints or triggers that prompt you to start, continue, or switch tasks.
You might say, "If it's 9 AM, then I'll start on my monthly sales report," or "If I finish the report before lunch, then I'll start on the client presentation." These plans act as a series of directions that guide you through your day and keep you from twiddling your thumbs or killing time on YouTube between tasks.
Step 3: Identifying Landmarks (Setting milestones).
Just as landmarks on a trip reassure you that you're heading in the right direction, setting milestones within your tasks can help maintain your momentum.
An example of a milestone might be "When I've compiled the sales data for all regions, that's my sign to take a 10-minute break."
These milestones keep you motivated and on track.
Step 4: Adjusting Your Route (Being Flexible).
Sometimes, roads are closed or there's traffic, and your GPS reroutes you.
Similarly, if an unexpected task arises or if you hit a snag, be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
Flexibility is key to avoiding frustration and staying on track.
Step 5: Reaching Your Destination (Completing your task).
Just as you feel a sense of accomplishment arriving at your destination after a long drive, successfully completing your tasks using implementation intentions brings a similar sense of fulfillment.
You've not only completed what you set out to do but did so in an, efficient way.
#4—Manage Expectations About Difficulty Completing Tasks
The research from "Deriving Mental Energy From Task Completion" suggests that adjusting your expectations to anticipate that tasks might be harder than they seem is an effective way to avoid frustration.
When you start a task, if you've already braced yourself for potential difficulties, you're more mentally prepared to deal with them. This doesn't mean you're being pessimistic; you're being pragmatic, acknowledging that tasks often have hidden complexities that can slow you down.
Just as you'd check the weather, take a moment to assess the task ahead. Ask yourself, "What challenges could arise?" This isn't about doubting your abilities but about being realistic and prepared.
Once you've identified potential challenges, think about the tools, resources, or strategies you might need to navigate them. This could be anything from setting aside extra time, consulting with a colleague, or breaking the task into smaller, more manageable parts.
Mentally prepare yourself for the task to be challenging. It's about reminding yourself that you're capable of handling challenges and that encountering them doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're learning and growing.
When you do encounter difficulties, rather than being frustrated, see them as part of the process. It's an opportunity to put your resilience and problem-solving skills to the test.
After completing the task, take a moment to reflect. What challenges did you face? Were your preparations adequate? This reflection helps you understand what worked, what didn't, and how you can be even better prepared next time.
Final thoughts
Prioritizing tasks not by their ease but by their significance and potential rewards, aligning them with your long-term goals, and anticipating the complexities they may entail equips you with a framework for how you can consistently get more done.
Next week, is the final entry in this mini-series on developing a long-term mindset. Then a few weeks after that, paid subscribers should keep an eye on their inbox for an eBook version of the series distilling everything we have discussed into one resource.
This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.
Veryy valuable.
I noticed I am most active in the early morning but I just realised I have fallen victim to doing the easy tasks and procrastinating on the difficult ones.
Having foresight of your destination definitely helps a lot. It's like the carrot to your donkey.
Excellent read, Ben. I strive to complete the most difficult tasks in the morning - it gives me a confidence boost for the rest of the day. Everything else seems easy then. Doing hard stuff in the morning is my best "productivity hack".