The Ultimate Lazy Person's Hack for Getting Stuff Done
Read time: Under 5 minutes
It’s kind of bullshit how much easier it is not to do things than it is to do them.
For instance, I love the idea of going to the gym and getting in shape, but when it’s actually time to change into my exercise clothes and get inside my freezing cold car, you can safely assume my brain is putting up a fight. I could say the same about hitting snooze. I love the idea of being a morning person. I imagine myself waking up early and easing into my day with a meditation or some yoga. Maybe I read a chapter or two of a book while sipping my morning beverage. But when the alarm goes off, you can bet your sweet behind I’m probably crawling back under my comforter and hitting snooze every 8 minutes for...longer than I’d care to admit.
The reason I’m telling you this is that I need you to know this doesn’t come easy to me. So when I say “I’ve found something that works and it’s blowing my mind,” I want you to believe me. At least enough to try it for yourself.
Okay, I hate long drawn out intros just as much as you do, so I’ll go ahead and tell you now. But don’t cheat yourself by stopping here because there’s a few important things to know about pulling off this trick and I’ll describe each below.
(Drumroll) The ultimate lazy person’s hack for getting stuff done is: Make not following through with your commitments just as much of a pain in the ass as following through.
Here’s an example
I recently joined a gym that has a simple but genius system in place for holding you accountable for showing up for classes. Here’s how it works:
You sign up for a class on a specified day/time ahead of time. You do this by clicking a button on an app. Easy peasy. Then, if all goes well, you show up for that class and go home feeling great about yourself.
If you decide not to go to class...You must call the front desk and speak to an actual human being to have them remove you from the class roster (ah, embarrassing!). THEN, regardless of whether you notified them or not, you must also pay $15. Not so easy peasy.
To me, it’s easier just to show up to class. And that’s what I’ve been doing. I haven’t missed a single class. I even went to one hung over (not proud, just saying). And guys, I’M THE QUEEN OF BAILING ON EXERCISE CLASSES! I always seem to find something “more important” to do. But this system has been working for me and so, as any good life coach would do, I’ve figured out exactly what is “working” about it and started applying it elsewhere in my life. And you can too.
The 3 main ingredients
1. Commit (in writing) ahead of time
Whatever it is you want to do, put it in writing ahead of time. I schedule my time out weekly so I do this either Sunday night or Monday morning. To give a specific example, I decided to apply this system to making progress on a writing project. This is something I’ve been putting off because it seems big and overwhelming. So at the start of this week I literally “signed up” for four one-hour writing blocks throughout the week. I wrote that shit down and I put it in my calendar. Now it’s a real thing that exists and I’m more likely to remember it and actually do it.
2. Make it manageable
The phrase “I’m going to work on this project at some point today” is a lot more stressful than “I’m going to work on this project from 1-2 PM today.” You can do anything for one hour. Even stuff you don’t want to do. Even stuff that’s good for you that moves you forward in life (you know, all that stuff that can wait until tomorrow :)).
I repeat, you can do anything for one hour. You can exercise for an hour. You can clean your room for an hour. You can write poetry or do your taxes for an hour. Or a half hour. Or whatever works for you. Give yourself enough time to make actual progress or finish the task but do not give yourself too much time. This leads to dawdling and other forms of procrastination/self-sabotage within the “getting stuff done” window. You want to remain focused on the task for the entire time, knowing you have a well-deserved break just around the corner.
3. Create consequences for not following through
Here’s where you need to get creative. As I mentioned, I’m currently applying this to a writing project. I’m also currently working with a coach and we’ve agreed that if I choose not to follow through with my writing during the times I’ve selected, I must call her and tell her right then and there. She will then ask me, “Rachel, what could possibly be more important than this right now?” So far, I haven’t had to answer that question because I’d rather just go ahead and write for an hour.
What can YOU do to create consequences for yourself? If you do not have a coach, no problem! I recommend finding yourself an accountability buddy. Perhaps someone who also has something they want to be held accountable for. Then create a plan of action and consequences together. Maybe you decide that you will call and notify your buddy if you decide to bail (don’t text – that’s too easy). Maybe you decide that each time you bail you must also donate a certain amount of money to a charity you despise. Do whatever works for you. Whatever would make you say “Okay, fine – I’ll just do it!”
But Rachel, what if I decide not to follow through with my commitment AND not to notify my buddy/donate the money/etc.? Couldn’t I easily pretend to follow through? Well, yes technically you could. But you’re not going to because, damn it, you’re better than that.
Happy doing y’all!
(I’m not joking – you’re better than that.)