Opinion: Art of judicious postponing

Putting aside non-urgent work can help create mental space needed to focus on what truly matters

By VIIVECK VERMA

It is not uncommon to have your dashboard bursting at the seams with work. Professional assignments, personal commitments and acts of self-care can be far too many and we might always feel like we are running out of time. Since our days are always going to be 24 hours long, time management is often emphasised. Yet, the focus is routinely on performing multiple tasks in the same window and not on decluttering the dashboard, to get rid of unnecessary concerns which can be taken care of at a later time, with no harm involved. This underrated and overlooked aspect of time management, ie, ‘postponing with a difference’, can be the key to a lot of our problems around multitasking and feeling overwhelmed with an endless list of things to take care of. Let us unpack this at length.

---

The Eisenhower Box

Deliberate postponement, when applied judiciously and not as a means to procrastinate, can emerge as an artful strategy in decluttering priorities and fortifying one’s focus on essential timebound tasks. In a world inundated with incessant demands and deadlines, mastering this art of selective delay can be transformative for personal and professional productivity. At the heart of this approach, lies the recognition that not all tasks are created equal.

A cursory academic engagement with the subject at hand can bring us to The Eisenhower Box, a popular decision matrix attributed to Dwight D Eisenhower which categorises tasks based on urgency and importance. In the same vein, by adopting the approach of consciously delaying non-urgent or less critical activities, individuals can create the mental space needed to concentrate on what truly matters.

Postponing tasks demands a nuanced understanding of the implications of time. It is not about avoidance or procrastination but a deliberate, calculated choice to allocate our resources optimally. This involves assessing the consequences of delaying a task against the benefits of freeing up immediate bandwidth for tasks of greater significance.

One key aspect of this art is the ability to discern between tasks that appear urgent and those that genuinely contribute to overarching goals. The adrenaline rush gained from completing multiple seemingly urgent tasks at once can be deceptive, often leading to a sense of accomplishment without meaningful progress and can impact the quality of work done. Through strategic postponing, one can break free from the urgency trap and redirect energy towards impactful endeavours.

Concept of Minimalism

Secondly, the art of judicious postponing is closely tied to the concept of minimalism. Minimalism advocates for simplifying one’s life by focusing on what adds value and discarding the rest. By postponing non-essential tasks, individuals can align with this minimalist philosophy, streamlining their daily activities to amplify their purpose and effectiveness.

Consider a professional confronted with a demanding project and an invitation to attend a somewhat non-urgent meeting on the same day. The art of judicious postponing would involve recognising the critical importance of the project, potentially deferring the meeting to a later date. By prioritising the project, the individual ensures dedicated focus on a task that significantly contributes to overarching goals, minimising distractions from less impactful activities.

In a more personal context, imagine someone striving to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They may face the choice between working late to meet an arbitrary deadline or postponing less urgent work to spend quality time with family. Opting for the latter reflects the art of judicious postponing, acknowledging the long-term value of nurturing personal relationships over immediate but less meaningful work demands.

Furthermore, let’s explore the realm of personal development. An individual committed to continuous learning may receive an opportunity to participate in a non-essential workshop while simultaneously grappling with a pressing self-improvement project. The judicious approach will involve delaying the workshop to focus on the project, recognising the transformative impact of sustained, concentrated effort on personal growth.

Similarly, in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, a business owner might face the choice between responding immediately to every email or strategically postponing non-urgent correspondence to concentrate on core business strategies. By postponing less critical communication, the entrepreneur can create a space for strategic thinking and decision-making, ultimately enhancing the company’s longterm success.

As these instances demonstrate practical terms, adopting this approach is likely to entail creating a system of sorts for task evaluation as well as thinking practices geared towards the same end. We must review and reassess our to-do lists, weighing each item against its true importance. This iterative process can allow for adjustments, ensuring that your efforts remain aligned with overarching goals.

Another facet of the art of postponing is recognising the psychological benefits it may accrue to us. Constant multitasking and overwhelming to-do lists can regularly contribute to stress and burnout. Deliberately choosing to postpone certain tasks provides mental respite, fostering a sense of control and preventing the feeling of being perpetually swamped.

Some Pitfalls

However, it is essential to practice discretion with this approach. Indiscriminate delay can lead to its own set of challenges. Tasks that are consistently postponed may accumulate, creating a backlog that becomes daunting to address. Sometimes, one can fall into a habit of procrastinating which can be pernicious in the long run. A vigilant and discerning approach, therefore, is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of excessive delay while still reaping the benefits of focused attention on priority tasks.

In essence, the art of judicious postponing involves orchestrating a symphony of time and tasks. It requires a thoughtful and intentional mindset, a commitment to assessing and reassessing priorities, and the discipline to execute decisions effectively. As individuals navigate the complexities of modern life, mastering this art can be a transformative step towards achieving clarity, purpose and sustained success.

It is about making intentional choices which recognise that not all tasks carry the same weight in contributing to long-term success and fulfilment. This mindful approach empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of their lives with purpose and efficiency. So, go ahead, embrace the liberating power of saying “no” to unnecessary demands that detract from your long-term objectives and imbue your productivity with meaning!