How to beat procrastination pt. 3 - Clarify the next action

Making clear about what needs to be done is often the first step in getting unstuck

Have you ever found yourself stuck on a project, unable to move the ball forward, but not sure why?

Broad projects can often be unclear, too large to actually know what to work on next. And that can create stress, confusion and inaction in the form of procrastination. We’ve all been there.

Determining the very, simple, concise next step can get you unstuck.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. —Mark Twain

What is your next action?

In his seminal book Getting Things Done, author David Allen explains that every project contains a collection of tasks.

A project like changing tires is not just one task. You’ll need to research brands and prices, dealerships or auto shops, and make an appointment. But simply listing change tires on your to-do list can paralyze you from taking action.

The solution is to think of the smallest, most granular action you need to do next. Call your brother-in-law for a referral? Go online to look at recommended tires for your local weather? Getting clear on the very next thing you need to do can be illuminating.

Defining what real doing looks like, on the most basic level, and organizing placeholder reminders that we can trust, are master keys to productivity. —David Allen, Getting Things Done

What does it look like in action?

Every week, during my weekly review, I reflect on my current projects, the ones that are upcoming or on hold, and those I might want to tackle eventually (called a someday-maybe list).

For each current project, I ask myself “What is the next action here?”. I get very granular with this. I then schedule the task into my task management system, or I put it on the calendar. It takes just a few minutes to do so, and I gain clarity instantly.

Allen argues that “without a next action, there remains a potentially infinite gap between current reality and what you need to do”. And that’s what gets us stuck.

Get started today

Set aside 15 minutes and review your current responsibilities. Think of a project you need to work on and brainstorm potential next actions. Is this really the most simple, most effective thing you need to accomplish?

If other tasks pop up during your reflection, write those down. They can be potential next actions after the very next thing gets accomplished. Make a list.

Then, schedule your next action into your weekly to-do list. When the time comes to act on it, you’ll be ready and will feel the relief of knowing that it is the most useful thing you could be doing.

You’ll have clarity and purpose, and that will get you unstuck.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of adopting the next action approach is that it dramatically increases your ability to make things happen, with a concomitant rise in your self-esteem and constructive outlook. —David Allen, Getting Things Done

Go Deeper

If you are curious to learn more about the next action approach, get yourself a copy of Getting Things Done. *this is an affiliate link

This book has revolutionized my productivity, giving me a clear and concise framework to tackle everything I need to do to achieve my greatest aims. I’m sure you’ll find it immensely helpful.

In this series, we’ve talked about why our natural tendencies affect the way we procrastinate, and why sometimes what we think we need to work on doesn’t really need to be done, at all.