Podcast: Just doing stuff
This post was written by Michael Nobbs, follow him on Twitter
This morning was my day for meeting a good friend (actually a couple of good friends this week) for breakfast.
I enjoy my early morning breakfast a lot. I usually get quizzed about what I’ve been up to and, being someone who largely works alone, it’s very good for me to have to check in from time to time with what I’ve done. This morning we got to talking about the idea of just getting stuff done and not worrying too much about how we do it.
So, in the spirit of just doing stuff I came home, hoovered my studio and made a podcast about, well, just doing stuff…
Hey, this perfectionist problem seems very familiar! David Seah (davidseah.com) called himself a “perfectionist procrastinator”, and that´s so true for me, too: Instead of doing things, I´m just overplanning. The only cure against this is indeed: DOING STUFF and getting it out to the world. This podcast was really nice, no re-recording needed – so I think I can learn something from that.
What worked for me personally was just to convince myself again and again to get STARTED with at least one small step – this often leads somewhere nice.
Thanks for the link to the David Seah site Fabian. I’ve not seen it before (I see he’s a fan of one my favourite pens, Lamy Safari).
I like the idea that just getting started can often lead somewhere nice. Something to remind myself of when I’m in procrastination mode!
My motto: Stop thinking, stop worrying, stop prevaricating, just get it done!
Hey Michael, Thanks for your post and pod cast. I have been trying your “three things list” idea and it works. I don’t always get all three done but sometimes I blast through the list and get many more things done. I guess it depends on what sort of tasks are listed on my lists. I usually write tasks in my morning pages then re-write them on a small sheet to lay on my desk top which helps me stay focused. So now what sorts of tasks do you lay out on your list and do you have long term projects broken down into smaller parts?
Hello Frederick
I’m glad the 3-things to-do list is working for you. I’m very grateful to the friend who first suggested them to me, as they’ve made a real difference to how I get stuff done, and, perhaps more importantly, how I feel about the stuff I do.
Yes I have long term projects on my list, though I do always break them down into smaller steps. I’m (finally!) working on a new issue of The Beany and I’ve been getting it done by putting small steps like, “work on two Beany pages” or even just, “open an InDesign file for The Beany” on the day I started it.
These last couple of weeks when I’ve been getting over a cold I’ve included things I’ve wanted, or had to do, like “meet so and so for lunch” or “buy batteries and dishwasher tablets”. That way I’m giving myself credit for stuff that uses up energy, in a way I wouldn’t have in the past. It all counts and I can cross off something I’ve done. It always make me feel good. I’m even sticking up each competed post-it on my studio wall so I can see over time just how much I’ve done!
One more thing. Picking three things makes me prioritise a lot about what I want to do. It makes me accept the limits of time and energy and I choose accordingly.
interesting post and comments. i, too, enjoy the three point list a lot. I used to make lists of all the things i needed to do and getting things done was never satisfying. Then my friend made me stop and got me to write lists of all the stuff i actually had done in a day (try that!). I still am overwhelmed often and recently re-read a book about procrastination by Hand Werner Rückert. He says “the way you procrastinate now is like imagining all the food you will have to eat in you lifetime. All the gallons of water you’ll drink over time and all the heaps of bread and cheese and tea and milk. But, little by little, you will accomplish this big task. break your goals down into little ‘meals’ and you’ll cope better.”
I liked that.
I also came across episode 2 of the podcast LYNCHLAND (which i love, btw) and near the end, Liam Lynch is asked what inspires him. He basically answers: the most important thing any creative person can do is : make a lot of stuff. It can be frustrating at times, having a creative mind. But when you don’t do anything it’ll only get harder. creativity has the word “create” in it. (…) if you don’t act on your ideas that is a waste.”
(sorry this comment is so long. it’s a big issue for me…:)
Hello Clara
For me recognising what I have done is crucial too. All to often in the past I’ve been exhausted after a day of doing and not felt any feelings of achievement at all. Sticking my completed 3-things to-do lists up on the wall is a great reminder! I’ve never tried retrospectively writing down what I’ve done, I may well give it a go. A couple of days ago I cleaned my car inside and out and then spent the evening going to the window to look at it to remind myself what an achievement it was!
PS Here’s a link to Lynchland on iTunes