I love being a productivity consultant. I love helping people. I love finding efficiencies. I find getting organized one of the most cathartic experiences available to humans. Routine has been one of my most reliable, lifelong friends. So, when one of my clients recently asked me if I struggle with any area of my role, I had to take a moment to think about it. But when the answer came to me, I also had to be honest. I replied, “I struggle with blogging.” Writing is my frog. You know, that slimy task productivity consultants advise you to tackle first thing in the morning.
No matter how much we love our job or home life, there are likely always tasks we would just prefer not to do. That is one of the reasons why approximately 95% of the population admits to procrastinating. If I was feeling conventional, I would help you identify your ‘frog.” Then, I would show you the research and explain why we procrastinate. Afterwards, I would give you strategies for avoiding procrastination. Not today! Today, I am going to tell you to go for a pedicure…..but take your frog with you. 
Yes, as I write this blog, I am indulging in something I love to do. I am treating myself to a pedicure. Let’s call this pairing. I have developed the habit of pairing a task I would normally avoid, with a task I like to do. Pedicures may not be your thing. But let’s assume you love to listen to music and you hate to cook. Pairing means you only listen to music when you are cooking. It’s an incentive and a reward, all at the same time.
Only the most difficult tasks require a concurrent reward. I am not suggesting you go for a pedicure every time you have a difficult task ahead of you. If you’re simply not looking forward to a task, set a deadline and reward yourself once the task is done. However, if your task is reoccurring and one of your top three hardest tasks, than a concurrent reward may help you to avoid procrastination and may even help you look forward to the task.
If pairing is a technique you think you would like to try, here are a few simple steps to get started:
- Identify your top three reoccurring and most difficult tasks
- Identify an activity you love to do but don’t have the opportunity to do or can’t do very often. I love to eat chocolate but I cannot eat it daily.
- Pair the tasks. Obviously, the combinations are important. I don’t recommend you do the weeding and read a novel at the same time. However, you could eat chocolate during that six hour drive you have been dreading.
- Set the rules. For example, I will only eat chocolate when driving six hours or more. (In the end, it might help you with your chocolate addiction too.)
There! My blog is written and my feet are ready for sandal weather. Wait a minute! Is it possible I enjoyed writing my blog? Yes, I did. Plus, my blog will be delivered before the deadline… because I really needed a pedicure.
This is an outstanding idea that I need to apply more. I have done it from time to time before, just randomly, to make things I hate more tolerable (like drinking a glass of wine while I read through a factum), but using it as a strategy to get lots of things I don’t like to do finished is a fantastic idea. I will let you know how it goes!