Some tasks are hard.
Some just don’t want to be done.
Some linger on your todo list for a long time.
How do you deal with those tasks that are difficult to complete?
How to Handle Tough Tasks
Some tasks require more work that others. Some are just plain hard.
Others are daunting because they are large or because you haven’t done them before.
“Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and hammer those hard tasks.”
Whatever the obstacle, effort and discipline are usually the answer.
It takes hard work and time to get tough tasks done.
Sometimes you have to hammer them.
Hammer Those Tasks
We all face difficult tasks or ones that we resist doing.
When this happens to you, give it the extra effort needed to get those tough tasks done.
Here are some tips to help you “Hammer Those Tough Tasks:”
- Hammer Them – Just like a blacksmith forges a piece of metal, some tasks need to be hit again and again. Tough tasks may not be completed on your first attempt. Some do not have an obvious solution. Hit them and hit them until an answer begins to appear.
- Hit’em Hard – Some tasks are difficult and you may not be able to do them with your spare effort. You may need to hammer them literally. When a task doesn’t want to be done, sometimes you have to use overwhelming force. Allow extra time, effort, energy, and resources when you absolutely must get something done.
- Bit by Bit – Other tasks are better done in pieces. Bit by bit. Studying and learning new skills are good examples of these types of tasks. You are not going to learn a semester of material in one sitting. A better approach is to whittle the task. Do a little bit here and there. And repeat until all the pieces are done.
- Learning Comes With Doing – We resist some tough tasks because we haven’t done them before. Or because we don’t think we know how to do them. New tasks will often take 4x as long you expect, but it is the doing that leads to learning. Digging in and trying will lead to new knowledge and skills in doing the task at hand.
- Make Time – One of the ways to make sure you “get around to” that task is to make a date with it. That is, make a calendar appointment reserving time to work on specifically that task.
- Set a Deadline – Without a deadline, there is not a finish line. Tough tasks will always expand to fill the time allowed. Set a deadline to ensure the task has a limit.
- Come Back To It – Finishing is important, but sometimes you have to come back later. Some large tasks cannot be completed in one sitting. Sometimes you have to eat that elephant one bite at at time.
Hit’em Hard
Tough tasks need hammering.
Often, you won’t get them with your first whack.
Keep hammering them into you get them into shape.
Soon, you will find yourself closer to done.
Take a look at your todo list and ask yourself what tough tasks you need to hammer.
How do you get your tough tasks done?
Craig,
I use “bit-by-bit” approach. By that way I’m not overwhelming myself too much with that task.
Also, “come back to it” approach is very powerful.
When I let go – temporarily – and then come back, my brain finds new ways of looking at things and I’m able to continue.
Craig,
I use “bit-by-bit” approach. By that way I’m not overwhelming myself too much with that task.
Also, “come back to it” approach is very powerful.
When I let go – temporarily – and then come back, my brain finds new ways of looking at things and I’m able to continue.
You are absolutely right. Sometimes one just needs to log off Facebook and start working .)If you are interested in my analysis of time management, feel free to read http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/the-importance-of-being-peer-pressured/ 🙂
You are absolutely right. Sometimes one just needs to log off Facebook and start working .)If you are interested in my analysis of time management, feel free to read http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/the-importance-of-being-peer-pressured/ 🙂
Absolutely agree. Time management may seem difficult, but once it is practiced regularly, it saves a lot of time. If you are interested, feel free to read more on my blog: http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/time-is-money-manage-it-effectively/
Absolutely agree. Time management may seem difficult, but once it is practiced regularly, it saves a lot of time. If you are interested, feel free to read more on my blog: http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/time-is-money-manage-it-effectively/
You are absolutely right. Sometimes one just needs to log off Facebook and start working .)If you are interested in my analysis of time management, feel free to read http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/the-importance-of-being-peer-pressured/ 🙂
You are absolutely right. Sometimes one just needs to log off Facebook and start working .)If you are interested in my analysis of time management, feel free to read http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/the-importance-of-being-peer-pressured/ 🙂
Absolutely agree. Time management may seem difficult, but once it is practiced regularly, it saves a lot of time. If you are interested, feel free to read more on my blog: http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/time-is-money-manage-it-effectively/
Absolutely agree. Time management may seem difficult, but once it is practiced regularly, it saves a lot of time. If you are interested, feel free to read more on my blog: http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/time-is-money-manage-it-effectively/
Absolutely agree. Time management may seem difficult, but once it is practiced regularly, it saves a lot of time. If you are interested, feel free to read more on my blog: http://randomshooting.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/time-is-money-manage-it-effectively/
Yes I have a big problem with time management, and if you can appoint me to the best advice on here, please e-mail them to me at [email protected]. I need that advice!
Yes I have a big problem with time management, and if you can appoint me to the best advice on here, please e-mail them to me at [email protected]. I need that advice!
Great blog! it is quiet interesting how people these days would like to get pretty much all their tasks done by local people. Anything could be done from cleaning your house, data entry, pickup and delivery to walk your dog…so much more… the taskrunner community has more than thousands of skilled people ready to get some time of your life back.
Feel free to check it out at taskrunner.co.uk!
Many thanks and have all an awesome day!!
Great blog! it is quiet interesting how people these days would like to get pretty much all their tasks done by local people. Anything could be done from cleaning your house, data entry, pickup and delivery to walk your dog…so much more… the taskrunner community has more than thousands of skilled people ready to get some time of your life back.
Feel free to check it out at taskrunner.co.uk!
Many thanks and have all an awesome day!!
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