Strategies for Managing Tasks and Reducing Anxiety

Holly Trantham emphasizes that productivity should enhance life, not dominate it.

### The Totally Chill Guide to Tackling Life's Most Mentally Draining Tasks
* 📆  Setting recurring calendar reminders for tasks, from **weekly cleaning** to **annual bills**, can help ensure they get done.
* ⏰  Using the **two-minute rule** - if it takes 2 minutes or less, **do it now** - can prevent tasks from piling up.
* 🤖  AI platforms like ChatGPT can assist with research and task management, **reducing individual time spent on certain chores**.
* 🎁  Pairing an annoying task with a **small reward** can provide motivation.
* 🏠  Reworking how household tasks are divided can help alleviate the mental load, especially for those living with a **partner or family**.
* 🧹  Decluttering, organizing, and cleaning on separate days can make tasks feel **more manageable**.
* 📱  Hiding your phone from yourself during tasks can **reduce distractions and increase focus**.
* 🛑  Giving yourself permission to **deprioritize certain tasks** can help manage expectations and reduce stress.

9 Ways To Trick Yourself Into Being More Organized

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The Totally Chill Guide to Work and Life: Season Two

Holly Trantham, the creative director of tfds, is launching season two of The Totally Chill Guide to Work and Life.

The series focuses on approaching money and career decisions in a relaxed manner, aiming to reduce anxiety around financial choices.

Betterment is highlighted as a tool to simplify investing, while Holly also shares tips for tackling mentally draining tasks, like setting recurring calendar reminders.

Tips for Managing Tasks and Reducing Mental Load

Using recurring and onetime reminders can help manage tasks effectively.

The two-minute rule encourages tackling quick tasks immediately to reduce mental clutter.

AI tools like ChatGPT can assist in breaking down larger tasks and researching options, ultimately saving time and reducing stress.

Using Rewards and Task Division to Overcome Dreaded Chores

Little treats can be effective motivators for tackling unpleasant tasks, a concept supported by David Primac's Prex Principle.

Studies show that it's the positive feelings from rewards, rather than the rewards themselves, that drive people to perform better.

Task swapping with a partner or using alternative methods for handling dreaded chores can also help alleviate the burden.

Tips for Managing Clutter and Procrastination

Adopting a tidy-as-you-go mindset and decluttering before a big clean can make the process feel less overwhelming.

Using empty bins and baskets around the home for quick tidying can help control clutter, with a weekly reset to reorganize items.

Physically moving your phone to another room can reduce procrastination, and giving yourself permission to deprioritize tasks can alleviate the pressure of trying to do everything.

The Balance Between Productivity and Life's Unexpected Moments

Feeling on top of things by simply getting more done is a common misconception, as some tasks are non-negotiable.

Letting go of the need for a perfectly clean home can create a more equitable household.

It's important to make room for life's unexpected moments, as they can be just as valuable as completing a to-do list.