Better Writing Through Stress
October 8, 2008 by J.C. Hewitt
My friends, I could advocate stress-free productivity like all the other bloggers, but when it comes to personal improvement, I’m a Maverick. Productivity isn’t for wimps. Here’s some ways to whip your way back into stress-filled achievement.
Make a Long List
Buy a set of 100 3 x5 cards. On each line of each card (both sides) list an item that you want to accomplish. Do not leave any blank space. No task should be considered to large or too small to list. If done properly, you should have approximately 2000 tasks that you need to accomplish. That should tide you over for the first month. Every time you feel yourself starting to relax, pick up one of the cards and do not rest until you have completed every task on the card.
Don’t Clean
A clean environment is a relaxing environment. Stress needs chaos to survive. Clutter your desk. Add a new junk drawer. Pile your dishes. All of these messes will make it almost impossible for you to relax, which will make for dynamite productivity. Remember, a messy desk is a productive desk.
Avoid limits
Setting limits on your time just encourages you to become protective of your needs. Being protective of your needs means taking the occasional break. Breaks are for losers and orthopedic surgeons, and you sure don’t look like an orthopedic surgeon. Spend too much time on your email. Edit that paragraph another seven times. Common sense says that you need to move on, but common sense if for common people, not achievers.
Move faster
Walk fast. Drive fast. Eat fast. Read fast. Motion equals progress. If you stop to think, you may think of a reason to stop, so speed through tasks as quickly as possible. The more important a task is, the faster you should do it.
Multitude-task
Most people think that they have to multi-task in order to succeed. Those people are fools. Multi-tasking doesn’t come close to describing what you need to do. Multitude-tasking is far better. If you aren’t working on 20 tasks simultaneously, consider yourself to be a slacker. Up the ante. You never know how many things you can accomplish at once until you accomplish something.
Sleep as little as possible
Sleeping is not a productive use of your time. Try to avoid it.
Thanks, John, for the brain rewiring. I too consider myself a Maverick, doing things all maverick-y, so I say, add on the stress! I’m going to run right out and buy that stack of index cards, and then post them on every square inch of my wall. That will keep the old nose to the grindstone.
QuietRebelWriters last blog post..Writer Profile: Charlie Gilkey of Productive Flourishing
QRW,
I like that maverick attitude, but the problem with posting them on the wall is that you can’t see half of your list. I recommend hanging them from the ceiling. That is number 1248 on my to-do list! I can’t wait to get it to-done!
I used to do just what you suggest, but I got so I liked the look of my wall, and my stress went dow. Whatdoidonow?
Frederick Fullers last blog post..null
You crack me up, John! Thanks for brightening my day
Morgans last blog post..The Truth is…I am NOT Iron Man, BUT I am Dave Barry’s Illegitimate Daughter
@ FF,
The key is multitude-tasking. If some part of your life is becoming less stressful, you need to fill that void with another stressor.
@ Morgan
Glad I could help. It was number 1842 on my to-do list, and now “brightening Morgan’s day” is a to-done!
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John,
This is hilarious. Thanks for providing a little stress relief.
[...] Better Writing Through Stress at Writer’s Resource Center. Sarcasm is the best! [...]
Sleep? What’s that? Sleeping is for wimps!
p.s. I like the new layout!
hanas last blog post..Harajuku Lovers Fragrance
Oh this is just too funny! Thanks for the laughs! I’m going to go take a nap now.
Nikkis last blog post..Fall planting
LOL John – I was reading through, hoping for some great tips. But I realised I do all these things already. I wish I could be like one of those people – you know, Leo of Zen Habits or someone. But it’s really hard isn’t it? Maybe it’s better to take baby steps to the other side.
[...] in your bad freelancer habits, think again, and check out another of John’s posts called Better Writing Through Stress. (I hope it’s [...]
John, amazing post. A naughty question, if you don’t mind. Is it your natural hair? Some of these points you listed can potentially harm your nerves. Have you ever tried to Create when you are centered and quiet? Are you sure you need stress to achieve something?
A Linde´s last blog ..Germany Serious about their Electric Cars