Sometimes, one of the most effective ways to be productive is to step back for a moment. Consider how long a chess grandmaster will sit and stare at the board, planning the moves and maneuvers for the next seven turns.

So, to boost your productivity, approach your tasks like a chess grandmaster. Let’s discuss how to go about doing so.

Pausing Before You Begin Isn’t the Same as Procrastination…

…it’s a tactic known as strategic pausing.

It can be very easy to mistake a pause for procrastination. It all comes down to your intent.

When someone takes a pause, they are generally trying to better grasp the task at hand. It’s effectively a self-inserted planning phase. It’s the chance to take a moment, gather thoughts, and process what your next steps should be. A pause isn’t a break from working; it’s preparation for your work to continue. 

If you think about it, this kind of pause is an often-neglected first step to any workplace endeavor.

Procrastination, on the other hand, is simple avoidance. It’s not exactly a secret that most work tasks—regardless of one’s job or industry—have at least some element that the person performing them will not enjoy. Someone procrastinating will seek excuses and distractions to keep from working on (forget about completing) a task.

If you stop working to produce better results through improved planning, you’re engaging in strategic pausing.

How to Apply Strategic Pausing

So, if you want to add some pause points into your workday that help accelerate your productivity, doing so is a relatively simple endeavor:

1. Analyze what the task requires. To complete a task, you need to understand what it is asking. What problem is this task intended to help solve, and how will this outcome benefit your team? Is this task similar to others that you have worked on in the past, and if so, how will this history impact how you approach it now? Drawing these conclusions before immersing yourself in work will give you a more straightforward path to follow throughout your process.
   
   
2. Anticipate what this task means for the future. Very few business projects or activities happen in a bubble—they will almost certainly impact your future efforts and, ultimately, the trajectory of your business. What will your efforts in the present do to influence how you operate going forward? The answer may confirm whether you are planning the proper action or need to readjust.
   
   
3. Consider ways to improve the process behind the task. To take it to the next level, consider whether adjustments might improve your planned and intended process. Be creative and see what you can come up with. You never know when an idea may strike.
   
   
4. Strategize your approach. With all this information and insight, you’re ready to lay out your final plan for your task. Create your plans while keeping your desired outcome in focus. Ensure these plans include the resources to be used, who will be involved in the process, and the timeframe to subscribe to.
   
   
5. Revisit and adapt. Once your processes have been established and implemented, reflect on them and determine how they can be improved or made more effective… especially as circumstances change. When an opportunity to improve presents itself, embrace it and repeat this process.

For more tips, tricks, and best practices, don’t procrastinate any longer… check out some of our other blogs!