Management Tip of the Day: Reward Yourself for Doing the Tasks You Hate

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile NOVEMBER 1, 2012 Reward Yourself for Doing the Tasks You Hate Crossing something off your to-do list can be satisfying. But you may need extra motivation to get through the more dreaded tasks. Here's how to motivate yourself to accomplish those difficult projects: Save the fun work. There are always aspects of a job you like more than others. Don't permit yourself to do the fun tasks until you've taken on the arduous ones. Pay yourself. Set up an account — a savings account, a gift card, an iTunes account — and pay into it every time you complete an especially challenging project. Set different dollar amounts depending on the size and unpleasantness of the task. Regenerate. Promise yourself a reward that recharges your body and brain. Meditate for 20 minutes or use your lunch hour to treat yourself to a yoga class. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Guide to Getting the Right Work Done. Buy the book and learn more about prioritizing your workload » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Ebook Now Available Is your workload slowing you — and your career — down? Learn how to get the right work done. Whether you're a new professional or an experienced one, this guide will help you prioritize and stay focused, work less but accomplish more and stop bad habits and develop good ones. Not only will you end each day knowing you made progress — your improved productivity will also set you apart from the pack. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Try Crowdsourcing Your Performance Reviews Make a Job Offer That They'll Accept Save Time by Saying No To Persuade a Listener, Establish Common Ground How to Cultivate Ethical Employees What to Expect If You Take a Bad Job Change Your Company's Story How to Practice for Your Presentation Three Ways to Stop Procrastination Position Your Start-Up for the Long Term All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)