This post is about working on and finishing personal tasks and why getting them done on time is so hard. For the time starved, the lesson here is:
Create Self-Imposed Deadlines. With Punishment for Failure.
The longer version:
Many of you have commented about the lack of frequency in my recent postings. This is something I acknowledge to struggling with a bit! Trust me, it isn’t because of a lack of motivation or anything like that, because writing on this blog is something I would really like to keep going.
What’s wrong with Time Boxing?
I know I’ve been writing about Time Boxing, but it seems the strategies there alone aren’t sufficient to help me Get Things Done.
I don’t think there is any inherent flaw with the Time Boxing strategy. After all, if you want to finish something, you first need to allocate time to it, then work on it for a fixed period and finally judge if it is finished or not. The boxing aspect allows us to focus on the “time” or “duration” component of the task, without which we may aimlessly prod along without being conscious of how long something is taking.
The problem with Time Boxing however, especially for personal tasks, is there is no tangible effect from a delay. There is no accountability and no punishment for going over-time. Writing on this blog is a hobby, so if I don’t publish an article for another week or month, what’s the penalty?
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
In contrast, this is totally opposite when dealing with work related matters. We do it all the time. Homework is due next Monday, so let’s get to it now. The client demands a modification to a site or we don’t get paid, so let’s get cracking. Our boss is waiting for the status report, so we’d better launch the word processor and start typing.
The two biggest problems with doing personal tasks
I realised the other day, I don’t have well defined goals for blogging. This stems from the realisation that the two biggest problems with finishing personal tasks (like writing on a blog) are:
- The absence of a hard deadline
- The absence of punishment when failing to deliver
Seems obvious! Why hadn’t I thought of it before? Without a concrete deadline, how can I judge if I’m behind or not? Also, how can I plan my time to ensure I meet it? Also, if there are no real consequences for not making a deadline, what’s going to stop me from playing on my Xbox? And, what’s to prevent me from procrastinating time and time again?
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Treating work and non-work tasks the same way
The lesson here is that we need to treat our hobbies and personal projects exactly the same way we deal with work and other important things in our life. If we don’t, then it’ll always play second fiddle and we won’t get the great results we hope or expect.
This means we have to elevate personal hobbies, tasks and projects to the same level as our work. Yes, they may not be life-sustaining activities (ie doesn’t pay the bills), but if we want the same kind of results we get from our work, then we have to treat them the same.
Make yourself accountable in your startup
This applies to all you aspiring Entrepreneurs out there.
Are you having trouble launching your latest startup? Is it taking longer than you thought? Are you spending enough time on it? Is time being spent on a piece of code which won’t matter for another year? Are you working on the right things?
If any of this sounds familiar, then you’d do well to head my words.
Make yourself accountable for everything in your business. Every action and delay must be defined and quatified. How long will it take? What’s the benefit? What’s the cost? Who will be affected?
If you don’t have anyone you are accountable to (eg no investors and customers), then you have to make something up. For example, perhaps donate $100 to a worthwhile charity for every week you are late. Now, that’s going to hurt. Are you feeling more motivated now?
With great pleasure, I can now say Mobiusly is back on track. I deviated a little over the last couple of months, but it’s all good now especially since I committed to a deadline and understood the consequences of being late. I’m hoping to launch the first product in 1-2 weeks time, depending on how well beta testing goes. I’ll post more details here or via Mobiusly’s official blog, so make sure you subscribe to it too if you’re interested in seeing what’s being cooked up.
In the meantime, examine your own lives. Are you getting things done?
UPDATE: A healthy discussion is emerging at Hacker News about the disadvantages of focusing on the negative as motivators. More about it here.
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Today is the 26th of January and is celebrated nationally as Australia Day. It marks the anniversary of the “First Landing” (or “Foundation Day” as it is sometimes known) by a fleet of 11 ships sent from England finally anchoring in Sydney Cove for the first time. It is a celebration of survival against hardship and adversity. It is a celebration of human triumph in challenging times.
Apart from being Australia Day, today also has a special meaning for me. It marks the day I finally became an Australian. It has taken me over 6 years, since my arrival late in 2001, to accomplish this. Much like the early settlers, this has not been an easy journey. However, much like my predecessors, the rewards have been rich, gratifying and priceless!
If I could look at myself back in time in early 2001 when I decided to make Australia my future, I would see a naive but determined young man – eager to make his way in the world and to succeed in one of the greatest cities in the modern Western World (Sydney). That young man would dream of a great life, one filled with happiness and success against all odds. What that young man did not know then was how his dreams would pale in comparison with the reality over half a decade later.
Although I’m still a relatively young man by anyone’s standards and still have a lot to learn and experience, I count myself very blessed! I have a wonderful wife and daughter, which I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. I have great parents, a wonderful brother and his family. I have a great career in software engineering and creation, which happens to also be my hobby and passion.
On a daily basis, I learn and grow. I am constantly challenged everywhere I go and at home. I have the opportunity to eat ice cream whenever I want to. Whilst I am not rich, I have enough money to satisfy my “wants” in life. How can anyone ask for more?
It is fitting then that today, on Australia Day, I become an Australian. It is a fitting ending to this chapter in my life. Being an Australian and living a wonderful and happy life here has been a life-long goal of mine. I came to Australia only with my luggage in hand and a pocketful of money. Whilst the journey hasn’t been easy, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have worked hard for it and earned my right. Finally, I have my reward! Oh how sweet it is…
If there is one thing I learned through this process, I’ve learned the importance of self-belief. If I didn’t think I could do it, I wouldn’t have tried. If I had let self-doubt and negative thoughts to dominate me, I wouldn’t be sitting here.
There is no goal unattainable if you believe in your own abilities to accomplish them.
Good luck for all your dreams in 2008.
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Wow! I can’t believe it has been so long since I last posted on this blog. Rest assured, dear readers, I have not abandoned you. I’m as energetic as ever, but unfortunately the commitments of work has again gotten in the way of everything else.
Including this blog, but most notably fun and leisure!
A couple of months ago, I started at a new client side. Because the client is new, environment is different, technology and type of work unfamiliar, I’ve had to work extra hard to get things done with my usual tenacity and productivity. Although the road has been bumpy and steep, I’ve kept my head up and have persevered through the tough times.
That’s all good, but I miss the fun times!
So how do we make work fun? Well, you can do it like my friend, who at this very moment is running rampant about Sydney doing a massive treasure hunt! From what I read on this blog, the folks at Atlassian are having a great time on their ‘Cutlassian Pirate’ day – having dressed up as pirates, kicked out of the Google offices and generally causing mayham! All I have to say to him is go Team Yarrr!
Those guys at Atlassian sure know how to have fun.
Why aren’t other companies like this? In all seriousness, most of us spend at least 40 hours at the “office”. Given that this is a significant portion of our week, why can’t it be more fun? There shouldn’t be any reason whatsoever.
So, what can we do to make work a place in which we look forward to going? For the budding entrepreneurs out there, here are some initial thoughts.
- Employees need to know they are working on worthwhile things
- Employees need to know they are appreciated
- Employees need to receive compliments on their work
- Employees need to know their input and opinion is valued
- Employees need to know their work makes a difference
- Employees need to have work which is interesting and challenging
- Employees need to feel they are learning and growing
- Employees need to feel they are making progress in their career
- Employees need to be fairly remunerated for their work
- Employees need timeout – treasure hunt anyone?
In many ways, our employers dictate how happy we are at work. A fun workplace could instigate treasure hunts, morning teas, dinners to celebrate project milestones etc. While this may be true in some instances, it’s not a very nice way of living and thinking.
I subscribe to the belief that we make our own fun and happiness. Two people working at the same place, doing the same thing could have totally different viewpoints on how much they enjoy their work. In the end, we have the freedom to choose how we perceive things. Instead of looking at the negatives, try to look for the positives. Instead of looking for problems, try to look for opportunities. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, try to look for constructive solutions.
Ask yourself, Are you a happy employee? If not, what can you do about it?
I’m interested to hear about what your workplaces are like, especially if you have had problems and have found ways to overcome them. Leave a comment.
Oh, and good luck Team Yarrr.
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