What to do about tasks with potential NEGATIVE outcome and procrastination?

[John Tomson]

What to do about tasks with a potential negative outcome that cause stress?

If I have stress causing task i want something from someone and might get a no, or a the outcome of the task could be negative, I usually get stressed and will procrastinate.   I am looking for tips in regards to breaking down these stress causing tasks into less worrying action items, or even less stressful states of mind. 

I know if you get blocked break it down into smaller steps, but is there a mental questionnaire, specifically a process that will allow me to eliminate the stress of potential negative outcome tasks.

[Stéph]

Ooh, that's a question which goes beyond the mechanics of how to use MLO. I expect there are lots of websites and specialists which can coach you about how to deal with stressful situations, conflict at work and finding win-win solutions. Just one thought from me, though - Sometimes breaking down a task into ever smaller steps isn't a viable way to deal with it. If it's to do with getting a single item from someone, which can't be broken down into smaller items provided over a period of time, then you just have to go ahead and tackle it ("eat the frog"?).

Good luck with the tasks.

Stéphane

[imajeff]

First I will say, Stéph is right about what you will need when there is emotional reasons, or dangers, in getting the task done.

Now, the most powerful thing I have found in MLO is how a task can be broken up as much as you need it. This is extremely important for me because of my neurology, everything that seems simple to somebody else is a "daunting task" to me! So I have to learn that I don't even need to look at the whole thing at this moment. If the task seems like it would be bad to just do, then I consider one or more subtasks that would PREPARE for this.

The beauty is that when I add subtasks, MLO easily disappears the parent task from my flat or "Active" todo list so I can just focus on what I am ready to do for now.

I guess one of my first tasks was to find a therapist I can talk to about the tasks I'm not ready for, but for some tasks there were simpler subtasks like taking an online course (it one case it would be relationships) that would help me complete it.

[mv1...@gmail.com]

Hi johntom...

IMO tools like MLO helps you empty your mind but that new available space should not be filled with potential negative outcomes or a " a mental questionnaire" about them. I think we all procrastinate at one point and no one likes negative outcomes. My two cents of advise would be :

1. Build you project/task/sub-task with positive outcomes in mind. What do I need to do in order to have the outcome I want.
2. We all have a peak potential period in a day. In my case its in the morning and don't expect me to achieve anything outstanding after dinner. Others will like the calmness of the night. Find your peak period and put some time down in your agenda for those difficult tasks, during that period. Forget about them he rest of the day.
3. Reward yourself when succeeding and never blame yourself for negative outcomes. However always learn from them.

Best of luck to you.

[Dwight]

You could also make use of the deadline. Think as clearly as you can about when you would like to have the unpleasant task finished and behind you. Pick a realistic date, not an optimistic or aspirational date. Put it on your task as a due date.

When the due date arrives, the task turns red. Train yourself to hate the appearance of red tasks in your to-do list because you know that continued postponement will make the task more difficult or will erode the benefit of completing it. If you are tempted to postpone further, contemplate for a moment the reasons why you picked this particular date.

This only works if you only have due dates on a few tasks. Some people assign a due date equal to the day on which you plan to do some task. If you do that and you ever get even a little behind in completing your tasks, you will have loads of red in your task list most of the time, so the motivational effect of having a splash of red is lost.

-Dwight

[robyn...@gmail.com]

I break down difficult tasks into bite-sized ones and reward myself when I've done one.

With the negative outcome/getting told "no", I take this as closing a potential path.  Not closing my idea/project, but getting clarity on which way to go/not go. 

Good luck!

You also might want to look at tips for ADHD people with procrastination

[Wolfgang]

You may want to take a look at Neil Fiores book, "The NOW habit". The key message is, "I choose to start on one small imperfect step knowing I have plenty of time for play". Visualizing the desired outcome (your why) helps. Sometimes things go wrong, and it may help to plan for this as well, i.e. what negative outcomes are possible, what can I do to improve my chances, and what alternatives do I have?

Most things aren't life/death issues. Take a deep breath and just do it. You risk a setback (and can still learn something), but you gain a chance to succeed.