Are You Ready for Zero Tasking Day?
The end of Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in November (in 2022, that’s 11/6) coincides with Zero Tasking Day. You’ve heard me talk about productivity being dependent on single tasking (or monotasking) instead of the mirage of multitasking … but zero tasking is another great tool.
Zero tasking is exactly what it sounds like
That’s right… zero tasks! Many people have Sundays off (though I recognize that may not be the case for my fellow entrepreneurs) which makes it a great zero tasking day. And unfortunately, Americans are used to the 40 hour work week (which is made up and has nothing to do with productivity).
We’re also used to 5 days of work with 2 days off (which – you guessed it – has nothing to do with productivity). So you may have chores and things to do on Sunday that you just couldn't get to during the week while you’re working. But that doesn't mean that zero tasking is only a pipe dream.
Take an hour if you can’t take the day
Can’t take the whole day to avoid doing tasks? What about an hour? Some people think their work is their worth (not true, but that’s a convo for another day) and think they want to work all the time.
Or you may just have a lot of stuff to do and only 48 hours for it on the weekend. But both types can take an hour out of their Sunday to zero task. Better than no zero tasking at all!
Zero tasking for productivity
Why is it so important to take an hour out of your life to have no tasks? If you’ve been reading my stuff you know about the importance of giving your brain a break. All work and no play make Jack a homicidal maniac.
Paradoxically, having nothing for your brain to focus on is good for productivity. One, it gives your brain a rest. Human brains are not computers and they can't function without rest.
Two, periods of time where your mind is allowed to wander are actually good for creativity. Linear thinking and concentration are great for getting cognitively demanding tasks done, like working spreadsheets, tax returns, financial plans, marketing plans, and business strategies. Not great for creativity.
If you're a business owner, you need to get creative. All the expected ways of doing things are already out there, so you have to get creative about what you do and how you position it in front of your audience. Grinding away for hours a day doesn't help you do that.
Ever notice how you don't get your great ideas when you’re in front of a spreadsheet for two hours, but instead when you're in the shower or ambling around the neighborhood walking your dog? Assuming you’re not glued to your phone while you do so. Give you and your dog a break and be present for the walks - put your phone away.
It’s because your subconscious has been wrestling with the idea while you were doing other things, but it’s only when your mind is wandering and unfocused that it can actually put the pieces together. That’s also why sometimes the solution happens when you wake up in the morning. Your subconscious has been able to work on it all night while your consciousness was sleeping and unfocused.
Boredom is great for creativity. Your mind will just start creating or developing ideas because it doesn’t have anything better to do. If you try to keep yourself busy all the hours you’re not sleeping, you’re not giving your brain the space it needs to come up with something wonderful.
Recap
Instead of filling every waking hour with tasks and Things To Do, give zero tasking a try. It won't kill you and it could make you very productive when you do get back to the office.