8 Tips to Stop Rushing Around (and Still Get Things Done)

Photo by Cory Schadt on Unsplash

Cowritten by Eser Yilmaz and Tchiki Davis.

Sometimes, we genuinely race against the clock, such as when we try to catch a flight. Yet many people rush daily as they try to accomplish every task on their to-do lists. But what exactly is rushing?

We can define rushing as the behavioral output associated with the perception of a time shortage (Szollos, 2009). In simpler terms, when we feel pressed for time, we react by rushing so that we can get things done quicker. This reaction makes sense when we are genuinely short on time, such as when we run to our gate at the airport minutes before our flight is scheduled to take off. Yet, rushing isn’t warranted for many activities and by rushing through the "present moment," we likely do a disservice to our well-being.

You might be hurrying from one task to another, but have you ever considered what might be the real reasons why you are always in a rush? Here are some of the most common causes of rushing:

• Societal Expectations and Norms: Some societies, such as the United States, consider busyness as a sign of productivity and status (Bellezza, Paharia, & Keinan, 2017). In these societies, people believe that the busier they are, the more productive and successful they appear. Hence, many of us pack our schedules with numerous tasks and allocate the bare minimum time commitment to each item.
• Self-Importance: Do you know anyone who never seems to have time for you or rushes through anything they do with others? Some people rush through their social interactions to proclaim their stature. In other words, these individuals see rushing as a means to validate their self-importance.
• Lack of Prioritization: Sometimes, we misjudge the value and significance of the tasks on our to-do lists and fail to prioritize them. As a result, we act as if everything is an emergency that must be done immediately.
• Procrastination: ​Procrastination may appear similar to a lack of prioritization since it is another form of time misuse. However, in this case, an individual may spend their time mostly doing trivial things while delaying truly essential tasks until the last moment.
• Impatience: Some of us are not quite as patient as others. Hence, when we don’t have the patience to do most things, we rush through our tasks to get to the results as quickly as possible.

How to Rush Less

Now that we understand the major causes and consequences of rushing, we can address them to help us slow down and enjoy everything we do better. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Prioritize. Not everything on your to-do list is an emergency. Surely, some of your tasks are more important and urgent than others. Try to figure out which tasks need to be completed soon and focus your energy on completing those.
2. Manage your time. Time management is essential for getting everything done on time. Do you have a big project due next month? Try working on it for about an hour every day, so you don’t rush to finish it a few days before it is due. Using a calendar to plan your week or month can help you divide large projects into smaller chunks.
3. Be open about your time restrictions. Sometimes, we take on more tasks than we can handle. If you have more things to do than you can handle, you may feel the need to rush. Say no if you need to and set boundaries when necessary.
4. Be mindful. Sometimes, it's hard to be patient when all we want is to reach our goals. Practicing mindfulness can help you understand what is happening around you and give you a deep appreciation of the process.
5. Rethink your recurring tasks. Are you struggling with getting domestic chores done? If you live with others, consider asking them to help more or start taking turns. You may also think about how often you need to do specific tasks.
6. Expect the unexpected. Try to be ready for unknowns, such as a traffic jam on your way to a meeting, a medical emergency in your busiest week, or a missing ingredient for a meal. Allowing extra time for the items on your to-do list can help you avoid the additional stress caused by hurdles and still get your project done on time, without rushing.
7. Don’t multitask. Our brains can process one thing at a time. Unless your secondary task demands no attention, you might want to refrain from multitasking.
8. Slow down. Finally, consider slowing down and processing all available information when working on a task. Hasty decisions may lead to regret in the long run.

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