I sit down in the morning, and I get pulled by two things:
- Small things. The small things sit there waiting for me. Everything from direct messages on Twitter, to short e-mails from friends, to the latest newsletter from the bar or a dental insurance reimbursement check that I’d like to deposit on my iPhone. There are a dozen small things each morning.
- The Big Thing. I’ve usually got one Big Thing I’ve decided to prioritize. The night before, I try to prioritize and set my agenda for the next day. I’ve always got something I’d like to do each day. It’s usually something I’ve been thinking about for a few days. It’s important, and it needs to get done. The Big Thing is usually valuable. In one way or another, finishing the Big Thing will make a big difference.
Objectively, I know that the “Big Thing” is the most important thing I’ve got going. It’s the thing I’ve thought about, planned, and prioritized. I put it at the top of the agenda because it means results, profits, and solutions to problems. The Big Thing will change my life in some way that matters. That’s why I designated it as today’s Big Thing. It’s a difference maker.
Why, then, when I sit down, am I so drawn to the small things? Why do they pull at me so hard? Why do they dance in front of my eyes drawing my attention, focus, and energy? What’s the deal with the appeal of small things?
For me, I think the small things help me feel a sense of accomplishment. Oddly, I get nearly as much satisfaction from depositing that dental reimbursement into my bank account as I do from editing a long document. Finishing is finishing, and it feels good, regardless of whether it’s a big project or a small task. I like to click the “done” box on my task manager.
But doing the small things first means I end up having accomplished only small things. Small things are great unless you’re trying to make a difference, have an impact, and do something that matters.
If I’m not careful, I’ll spend an entire day doing the small stuff. The big project can easily sit, completely untouched, for the rest of the day and end up getting shifted over until tomorrow.
How to Knock Out the Big Thing
Here’s my approach to being sure I get the Big Thing done:
1. Use the right time.
Figure out what time of day is best for the Big Thing and do it during those times. For me, and for most of us I believe, the right time is for about two hours after we’re fully awake. I get up early, shower, eat, and get to my computer. Then I go for as long as possible. Your most productive time might be different. Figure it out and take advantage of it.
2. Block the time.
Once you know your best time for productivity and you’ve identified the Big Thing that needs to be done, go ahead and protect the time. Don’t let others control those few productive hours. Don’t let them get filled with pointless meetings or conversations. Save them for getting the Big Thing done. Mark that time on your calendar. I put “DO NOT SCHEDULE” in big, bold letters on my calendar so I can then slot the Big Thing in once I identify it.
3. Do it first.
The Big Thing has to be done first. I sit down and start on it. I put the software I’m using in full screen. I turn off the pop-up messages. I focus, focus, focus and keep telling myself to stay focused (I’m doing it right now to get this written). I just keep going, knowing that I can only sustain it for so long. It’s going to run out, so I’m going to use it as much as I can before the focus is gone.
4. Resist.
“Resist,” I tell myself. I’ve got to talk to myself constantly in order to convince myself to focus on the Big Thing. I’ve got to use all of my willpower to resist the temptation to do the small things. If left to my own devices, I clear up the small things, and the next thing I know, it’s the end of the day.
5. Persist.
Once you’re going, you need to keep going. Stay with it until it’s done. Finish it. Wrap it up, ship it out, and move on to the next thing. Don’t let it linger; don’t stop midway. Get it done. Declare victory and move on. You’ll get huge satisfaction when you mark the Big Thing off on the to-do list. Stay with it until it’s over and you’ve checked the box on your list.
So much of getting the Big Thing done is simple. Identify the thing, know your productive time, and then build a habit of sitting down and cranking away on it until it’s done. It’s actually an easy habit to develop once you commit because the payoff is so high. Accomplishing the Big Thing is so rewarding that you’re inspired to do it all over again.
Now, instead of shifting over to the next small thing, go ahead and stop for a few minutes and figure out what the Big Thing will be for tomorrow. Follow the steps, put it on the agenda, and make it happen. Soon you’ll be checking it off your list.
