November 18, 2024
According to Gallup polling, global employee stress levels declined in 2023 from 44% to 41%. This is the first reduction in reported daily stress post-pandemic, but it’s still up compared to those pre-pandemic times. There’s something simple we can do to cut down on our daily stress—and it’s basically something we have to do anyways.
Our to-do lists can often feel never-ending. But there’s a special sense of satisfaction that comes from completing a series of quick tasks. Whether it’s replying to emails, tidying up a space or running simple errands—knocking out these small jobs can have a significant impact on your mental well-being.
Work It
Each time you complete a task, your brain releases Dopamine, the Feel-Good Chemical™. Even when the task is minor, this reward system is activated, creating a sense of achievement that encourages you to keep moving forward. Clearing these smaller tasks can also ease the burden of an overwhelming list, reducing the stress and anxiety that comes with feeling overloaded. Plus, the confidence gained from handling smaller tasks can spill over into other areas, making bigger challenges feel more manageable.
Beyond stress relief, tackling simple to-dos can create momentum for more significant challenges. You can get in a rhythm and enter a flow state, cruising past any urge to procrastinate. When fewer distractions linger on your mind, it becomes easier to concentrate on more demanding work, allowing you to remain in a flow state longer.
Another Approach
While clearing smaller tasks can be effective, there’s another popular approach to productivity called the “eat the frog” method, based on a quote that’s (questionably) attributed to Mark Twain: If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first. The idea is to tackle your most dreaded or difficult task first, instead of letting it hang over you. The rest of your day will feel easier by comparison.
Conversely, the eat the frog approach can be just as mentally beneficial as knocking out quick to-dos. By addressing the most challenging task first, you remove a major source of stress and gain a huge sense of accomplishment early in the day. Plus, when the most difficult task is behind you, smaller tasks seem even easier, so you can breeze through them with less mental resistance.
Get to It
Both methods have their benefits. The best approach for you will depend on your personal preferences or the nature of your workload. Incorporating both strategies into your routine can help you stay organized, reduce stress and maintain a healthy balance between productivity and well-being. The important thing is to dive in quickly and start your day with a win. Then, maybe next year we can get that global employee stress level even lower.