Why “Process Over Project” Feels Like a Productivity Cheat Code
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash
TL/DR:
“Process over project” means embedding small actions into your day that, together, make a big impact
It’s easier to move things forward when you stop waiting for big chunks of time
This works well for recurring tasks like laundry, cooking, cleaning, and exercise
A little planning helps you act without friction
The Whole Shebang:
Recently a friend of mine told me that he’d been frequently incorporating the concept of “process over project” into his workflows, which he said he’d learned from me.
Because I wasn’t familiar with the term “process over project”, I asked him for examples.
And as soon as he started listing examples I knew EXACTLY what he was talking about, because he’s right, this IS something I talk about all the time, but apparently I needed someone else to coin the phrase!
So, what the heck does “process over project” mean?
The idea of “process over project” is that, instead of the (let’s face it, more drudgery-type) tasks of life as projects you need to make time for, what if, instead, you build the process into your life. You tackle small pieces instead of the whole thing, and you do it opportunistically, as you have a few minutes.
And how can you incorporate “process over project”?
Want some concrete examples? (Of course you do!)
Laundry
Instead of thinking of laundry as this massive task you need to make time for, what if you instead load the washer at the beginning of your workday.
And if you work from home, swap it to the dryer a few hours later. Or if you don’t, swap it to the dryer when you get back home.
(And I see you side-eyeing me about potential mildew. And let me just be clear, from experience, a few hours of wet clothes sitting around the washer won’t make a different. That mildew smell doesn’t start until at least 36 hours later. Again, I know this from experience.)
And then, plop the dry clothes on your couch or bed, and when the time comes in the day when you just can’t think anymore, pop on your favorite guilty-pleasure TV show, or that audiobook you can’t put down, or that new podcast you’ve been meaning to listen to, and watch or listen while you fold.
Now, putting the laundry away, that’s a whole nother ballgame. That part’s my nemesis. But if you want to know what’s been working for me lately, I basically stack the piles of folded clothes around me on the bed while I’m folding so that I’m trapped. And I can’t go to sleep until I get all those clothes off the bed. So much of “productivity” is actually “mental trickery”.
Cooking Dinner
If you’re like me, you want a healthy meal on the table every night, but the thought of finsihing up work, and your personal tasks, and then cooking for 30-45 minutes during witching hour when everyone (including you!) is tired, hungry and cranky fills you with dread, there’s an easier way to get that same result.
And it’s “process over project”.
Now, caveat that this is much more effective if you make a rough meal plan each week. (And let me know if you want content about that!)
But, assuming you know what you’re going to cook tonight, and that you’re doing this on a WFH day, you can have most of dinner basically prepped long before the end of the workday without feeling like you did anything at all.
While you’re making your coffee, take that chicken (or whatever) out of the freezer to thaw, or marinate if already thawed.
When you microwaving your lunch, chop up that cauliflower (or whatever) and put it in a pan with some olive oil and salt. It can sit on your counter for the next 6 hours, no problem).
When you’re grabbing an afternoon snack, make the salad dressing.
Then, when your workday is over, all you’ve got to do is pop everything in the oven. (Pro-tip: I often pop it all in the oven, then go for a run while it’s cooking. Double duty!)
When you start living the “process over project” life, suddenly dinner doesn’t seem like such a burden.
Also, if you work in an office most of the time, I’d be remiss if I didn’t sing the praises of: sous-vide machines, InstantPots and slow cookers. Pop you dinner in in the morning before you leave and it’ll be ready when you return home.
Tidying/Cleaning
I hate cleaning. Hate it. There’s no way I wanna spend a few hours cleaning the house once a week. And even though I do have a cleaner who comes every 2 weeks for the deep cleaning (because if that didn’t happen I don’t think my toilets would EVER be clean), there’s a lot of maintenance cleaning that needs to happen to make sure I’m not living in a pigsty.
So, think “process over project”.
When you leave a room, scan it quickly and bring anything that belongs where you’re going with you. Or even just closer to where it belongs.
When you’re waiting for something to microwave, or for water to boil, wipe down the counters.
You don’t need to wait until it all piles up; tackling a little pile, or mess, as you see it, allows you to keep things tidy without blocking off specific time to clean.
Exercise
What it getting adequate exercise didn’t mean making time to go to the gym for an hour on the daily?
Studies show that building in movement breaks, a few minutes at a time, throughout the workday, can be just as effective as that 30 minute workout.
I’ve actually been experimenting with this a lot lately.
Every time I get up from my desk, I’ll do a few minutes of exercise (jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups, kettle-bell swings, etc.).
They key to making “process over project” work?
A little bit of planning goes a long way.
If you know what’s on the meal plan, it’s easier to micro-prep.
If you know what exercises are in your repertoire (or have a little checklist) it’s easier to build that in without decision fatigue.
And on, and on.
“Process over project” is a way to lower the bar until the task feels effortless, not burdensome.
Now it’s your turn. What recurring tasks feel like absolute drudgery to you, but might not be so oppressive if you approach them as a process, not a project?
And when you’re ready, here are 3 ways we can work together:
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