Feb 11, 2008
I usually don't consider myself to be task-oriented, i.e. I don't derive pleasure from checking things off a to-do list. However, I might be changing my mind about this. I've found that doing one big task often has the same amount of fulfillment as doing several small tasks. Task size/importance/involvement can be broken down as follows:
- Everyday tasks - Cooking, doing the dishes, cleaning the counter, etc. These are minimally fulfilling, but if done in sufficient numbers, can be more than just minimal.
- Weekend tasks - Vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, etc. These are slightly fulfilling, but if done in groups of 3-5, can be more than just slight.
- Small but important tasks - Hanging up pictures, fixing the toilet, clearing stuff out of the junk room, etc. These are pretty fulfilling, and since they only happen once in a while (and only need to happen once in a while), just one at a time can be good.
- Large and important tasks - Cleaning the gutters, cleaning the attic, moving dirt or rocks, etc. These tasks are very fulfilling because they happen infrequently and involve either a lot of time, a lot of effort, or large tools and equipment.