An old business saying goes, "do the hardest thing first." This means you should tackle your most challenging task first thing in the morning rather than delaying it until later in the day. It is a strategy that can help you become more productive, reduce stress, and ultimately achieve better results. We will explore in this blog post why "doing the hardest thing first" works and how it can be applied at work.
How does "Do the Hardest Thing First" work?
Do the hardest thing first is a productivity strategy that prioritizes the most challenging task on your to-do list. Instead of procrastinating and putting off complex tasks until the end of the day, you tackle the most difficult task first. As a result, you can get the most challenging work out of the way and make the remainder of your day more manageable.
What makes it effective?
"Doing the hardest thing first" is an effective productivity strategy for several reasons:
Enhances Productivity: By completing your most challenging task first, you can work on other tasks without being distracted by the large one.
Reduces Stress: Delaying a difficult task can lead to anxiety and stress. Taking care of it first will eliminate that stress and give you a sense of accomplishment.
Boosts Performance: By tackling your most challenging task first thing in the morning, you will likely be more alert and focused throughout the day. As a result, performance and quality of work can be improved.
Here are some examples of "Do the Hardest Thing First" in action
Imagine you are a salesperson who dreads making cold calls. If you begin your day by making those calls, you will have the energy to move on to other tasks that require less mental effort.
Creative Projects: If you are a graphic designer, coming up with innovative ideas is the most challenging part of your work. Start the day by brainstorming ideas and then move on to more technical tasks, such as designing or editing, by first doing the most challenging thing.
The Scientific Research on "Doing the Hardest Thing First"
Research has demonstrated that "doing the hardest thing first" is an effective strategy for increasing productivity. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, people who tackle their most challenging task first are more productive and feel less stressed than those who delay it. According to another study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, people who completed their most challenging task first were more likely to maintain self-control throughout the day.
Keywords: productivity, hardest task, strategy, stress reduction, scientific research
