Newton’s First Law Applies to Productivity Too
There is a lot of discussion and research around what is called “laws” of productivitybut even the laws we use to govern other areas of our lives can be applicable when there are things to do. Newton’s laws of motion can be adapted to productivity, especially the first.
What is Newton’s first law?
Newton’s first law of motion is: “An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at a constant speed and in a straight line unless it is subjected to an unbalanced force.” »
Obviously he was talking about physics here, but in the productivity spaces of the web, people who spend their time thinking about more efficient ways to get things done have begun to apply his wisdom to people. It makes sense: when you’re on a roll, like cleaning your house, you kind of get in the zone and keep going. When you’re sitting on the couch, dreading and delaying starting work, it’s very easy to sit there and do nothing.
This thought reminds me of the productivity approach I rely on most often, which I call the “yet” trick. Using it, you don’t plan how long you will work on a given task, but commit to starting, and then continually ask yourself, “Can I do one more?” the “one” being any individual part of the overall task. The more you do, the more motivated you are and the more likely the answer to this question is “yes”. After years of failed attempts to follow other approaches, this is what I use when I’m cleaning, but it works for a variety of things, from gym rehearsals to answering emails.
How to apply Newton’s law to productivity?
Research has examined how adapting a mindset of getting and staying in motion can help you be more productive. A review of its use by health professionals in a nuclear medicine department found it “new”, but also capable of “having a positive impact on productivity”, for example.
What do you think of it so far?
The trick is not stay moving, but getting started, so here’s where to start. Try to respect the two minute ruleor the practice of doing something immediately if it takes two minutes or less. I constantly use this in conjunction with the “one more” trick, trying to do something as soon as I think of it, or as soon as motivation or inspiration strikes. If an email comes in, respond to it immediately. If you have to take out the trash, do it as soon as you notice. If you need to cancel an appointment, call then. Getting into the habit of tackling smaller tasks right away can help you build momentum. When planning what I need to work on, I capitalize on the two-minute rule by loading my to-do list with simple tasks instead of opting for the “eat the frog” approachwhich asks you to complete your most important and demanding tasks first.
One day when I first started using this trick, for example, I had to confirm a ticket order, fill out a W9, order my graduation outfit, clean out my entire clothes rack, and write a 12-page assignment. By doing the three little things first, I built some positivity and momentum, which pushed me to do the more daunting things later in the day. It’s rewarding to see checkmarks filling your to-do list, so do whatever you can in the moment to rush and make yourself to want to secure checkmarks on larger items. (I literally write down my tasks in my Notes app and check them off as I do them, just for a boost.) If you use a Task List 1-3-5 (and you should be!) try reversing your day so you tackle the five small tasks before the three medium-sized tasks and one large one so you can harness the power of Newton’s law yourself.
