Take on the Tasks You Dread With a Parallel Reward System
Rewards are a great way to get yourself to do things you don’t want to do. However, some tasks are too awful or boring and you need something to even start doing them. Related rewards can help.
You’ve probably made a deal with yourself at some point when it comes to your job. You promise yourself a tasty treat or some TV time once you’ve done a task that you can’t stand and think about doing. Rewards like these can work if you stick to them, but for the most tedious tasks you need, Harvard Business Review’s Alexandra Samuel recommends instant rewards:
These tasks require a concurrent reward: something you do while you work so you can deal with your unfulfilled inbox or fill out a quarterly budget report. This type of reward is especially well suited for time-consuming tasks that do not require a lot of concentration. You can make even difficult tasks that require total concentration more enjoyable in the right setting.
Some of Samuel’s examples include setting up a laptop at one of your favorite restaurants, assigning a friend on a work date who needs to do the same, or keeping your mindless job while you watch TV at home. Music can be beneficial for productivity and relieving boredom. Find what you love and combine it with the challenges you dread so that the work is survivable without spoiling your rewards. What types of concurrent rewards do you use?
How to force yourself to do the tasks you are afraid of | Harvard Business Review