Completing Difficult Tasks
Facing a work task that is unpleasant or difficult can be daunting, but you can successfully complete nearly any task if you are clear, capable and motivated. The clear, capable, motivated method of facing a task can be applied to any difficult task, whether intellectually or physically challenging.
Clear
Make sure that you understand what is expected of you, as well as what you expect of yourself. Determine what will be considered a successful outcome. For example, if you are tasked with calling an irate customer what is the hoped for outcome? Are you expected to resolve the customer’s complaint entirely, expand the relationship, or retain the business? If asked to clean an over-full store room, are you being asked to clear a path so that it can be used more efficiently or completely reorganize the space?
Once your expectations are clear, set out a plan of action. Know what actions are necessary on your part to move to completion. Do they need to be taken in a certain order? What steps do you need to take. Do certain conditions need to be right for you to succeed? Will you need to have others participate, or does your task depend on someone else completing another?
Ask colleagues who have faced the same or a similar task for their experience. Often, their insight will provide clarity and a method of operation that will save you from several rounds of trial and error.
Capable
Do you possess the skills and abilities that are necessary to the task at hand? Do you have all the necessary materials? If not, ask for the training or coaching you need and explain that without them you will not be able to complete your assignment. Find out who orders the materials you need and ask for them. Perhaps this will result in realizing that you weren’t clear on the task after all, or it will reveal a new facet to your job as you apply your new knowledge in other areas.
Ask for help. If you aren’t an expert with spreadsheets but your task would benefit from one, ask a friendly co-worker to help you set up a sheet that will meet your needs. Ask them to include you in the creation so you’ll learn and be able to apply the skill next time. One of the many benefits of completing a difficult task is demonstrating that we are able to do things we thought we couldn’t do.
Motivated
Imagine what it will look or feel like to have your task complete. If someone else has performed this task in the past, ask them to tell you what it felt like to complete the task the first time. They will probably tell you about feeling anxiety much like your own prior to the task, as well as a significant sense of relief and pride when they were finished.
Make a deal with yourself where you get a reward once the task is complete. It’s not recommended to attempt making a deal with your supervisor or manager, however. Managers do not like to feel that they have to negotiate to get employees to do their job. Make your reward appropriate to the task. A minor task might be rewarded with ice cream at lunch – or even taking your lunch break once you’re done. A larger task might need a reward like taking vacation time. Only you know what reward will motivate you. While you’re at it, make a list of motivators for yourself to have on hand when you are faced with your next challenging task.
