In the South we have these insects called “Palmetto Bugs.” It’s a cute name for a cockroach. They are disgusting creatures that thrive in the dark. And scurry around everywhere.
Catching them sucks. They’re fast and hard to catch. And they have a weird crunch when you do smash them. It’s gross and time consuming.
Busy work is the same way. Unnecessary tasks, unimportant activities, and insignificant jobs distract us from what we need to do. They have us flying around stabbing at air like chasing those Palmetto bugs.
Maybe we “catch” it and get it done. But we haven’t really accomplished anything. Seth Godin, author of Linchpin stated, “Most of what people do all day is roach stomping. The little tasks that distract us from the art of the work, that slows us down and wear us out.”
How do we keep from having to stomp cockroaches day after day? One is to identify your ONE thing as suggested by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. What great thing are you working on that you can’t be, won’t be distracted from? Focus on it and keep after it until you get it done.
Second is to time block your schedule so that you can focus on your priority task. If you don’t protect your schedule you will be at the mercy of other people’s interruptions. Instead of being reactive, be proactive by scheduling extended time to focus on the big activities that will push you forward.
Finally, use the compound effect to get exponential results in your life. When you kill roaches you can either chase them and crush them with your shoe or you can call in the exterminators. And you can sign up for quarterly service. Spraying every few months will eliminate those pests.
The same principle holds true in our lives. What little activity can you do that will have a big impact later on? Do the little thing. Every day. And eventually you will have accomplished a monumental tasks.
How do you keep from having to smash Palmetto bugs all day?