The more I don't want to do something, the faster I get it done
March 15, 2021•222 words
Reading time: 1 min
The more I don't want to do something, the faster I get it done, assuming that I actually get started on it in a timely manner.
(Could intentionally not wanting to do something help with productivity? I wonder.)
I really didn't want to write a short paper for a side project commitment today (I received the request for it tonight).
I then completed a draft for it for review by my teammates within 1.5 hours of receiving the request.
I categorized this as an unimportant task, something that doesn't advance my own life or otherwise well-being. This is common for tasks and projects assigned to you, rather than ones you initiate purely on your own volition.
I think this, the rate at which I could complete this unimportant task really reflects how unimportant tasks, whether urgent or not, are the tasks that do not significantly improve our lives, nor challenge us to do and learn new things. Learning, creating new things, planning and reviewing are demanding cognitive tasks- they take time and a lot of mental effort.
In writing this... I had this thought: "Ah, this is the beauty of writing. You really have to think things through." I didn't note that down here.
A previous draft of my raw thoughts revealed a contradiction in my thinking.