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Using RTM for dealing with distractions and procrastination (Productivity)

jord says:

I recently read 'The Now Habit', which I really recommend to anyone dealing with procrastination. One of the useful techniques mentioned in the book is to take notice of any distracting thought that pops into your head while you are working and jot it down to deal with it later. This includes things like food cravings, something you want to look up, creative ideas, phone calls, youtube videos to watch etc.

From this I've developed my own productivity technique using RTM - I created a list in RTM which I keep open while I'm working, then each time a distracting thought comes into my head, I just add it to the list.

After I'm finished an hour of decent work, I'll go through the list and deal with each one as a kind of reward for finishing work. Some items can be turned into tasks and moved to other lists, others (like eating :) ) I can deal with then and there and complete them.

Once the list is empty again, I get back to work.

Posted at 6:41am on February 6, 2010

jord says:

"Quickly jot down any distractions on a separate pad. [Food cravings, ideas etc]. Once you've completed some work, the craving will subside, regardless of how strong it was thirty minutes earlier. As you review your list of distracting thoughts and cravings, you will find, for the most part, that the urge to eat a bag of potato chips or to call a friend disappeared as soon as you got involved in your work. With the satisfaction of having started, you can - without guilt and under your own control - reward yourself by tackling those prior distractions you've written on your list."

The Now Habit, Neil Fiore

Posted 2 years ago

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