The Embarrassing Backstory
A few years ago, I was sitting on the couch with my wife Amanda watching TV. Out of nowhere, a bat came flying across the room. At first, I thought I was seeing things. How could we have a bat in our nice home?
However, the bat decided to fly a nonstop circle through our living room, around to the dining room, through the kitchen and back to the living room. With each pass, it flew lower and closer. I am not proud to say I found myself standing on the couch shrieking, while Amanda laughed.
I may be a country boy, but I do not like bats. I hate bats, they are flying, dirty rats as far as I am concerned. As I caught my breath and calmed down, I proceeded to run downstairs and grab some “gear” to rid us of the unwanted rodent.
I tried multiple things such as bowls and a baseball glove. It was oddly like the scene from “Black Sheep” with Chris Farley and David Spade. We found ourselves trying multiple things that would work and yelling at each other with ideas. We spent an hour with this annoying bat flying everywhere.
Finally, after a while, we could no longer find it and thought it was gone. As we went to bed, we saw it on one of our bedroom doors sleeping. At this point cooler heads prevailed, and we were able to cover it with a bowl, use a thin cutting board to slip it under the bowl and take it outside.
We spent all the time worrying about the bat and getting flustered. We spent lots of energy that was not effective or productive.
The Story of How the Term BATs Came About
Fast forward a few years later and I was working with our Director of Operations, Sarah Buchko. We were complaining about a list of things that took a lot of our time and energy and were not very productive. These were things we procrastinated on because we just did not want to do them. As we were going through our mutual lists of pending tasks for what we refer to as a “Same Page Meeting,” we started referring to these tasks as “Big Annoying Tasks.”
We love to label and create common vernacular, so this was nothing new. However, at the time we didn’t realize she had created an acronym “BATs”. Having been fresh from this bat incident at my house and having had the story told about my reaction more times than I would care for, it was not lost on use that these BATs have striking characteristics to real bats. Just like those flapping nuisances, there are also pesky tasks in your work life – we’ll call them BATS (Big Annoying Tasks). Let’s dive into the world of BATS and why swatting them away should be your top priority.
Bat Swatting
Imagine you’re that bat-chasing hero (at least I like to think of myself this way when I relive the story), but this time, instead of an animal bat, it’s a Big Annoying Task hovering over your head. You know the ones – the tasks that you know you should tackle, but you keep putting them off because they’re not just big, they’re as annoying as a mosquito buzzing in your ear on a warm summer night. Whether it’s dealing with a massive spreadsheet, crafting a complex report, or having a tough conversation, BATS have a knack for making you want to run in the opposite direction.
Here’s where the humor comes in. Just like chasing that bat around your living room ends up being frantic and utterly energy-draining, letting BATS linger in your work life has the same effect. Think about it – when you avoid the task, you spend precious mental energy worrying about it, mentally debating whether you should tackle it, and feeling guilty for not doing so. It’s like that bat that keeps you awake at night, flapping around your thoughts.
Similarities of BATs and bats!
We usually spend more time and energy thinking about them than it takes to get rid of them.
- 🦇 Sometimes you just need to walk away from them and come back with a plan.
- 🦇 You just need to get rid of them, because if not, they will continue to cause you to waste more energy.
- 🦇 They may be annoying and drive you nuts, but they have a purpose. Just like real bats that help with pest control and pollination.
- 🦇 Bats are not going to go away because we ignore them, only when we take action.
How to Swat Your BATs
In the world of productivity, you may have come across the concept of “eating the frog” – tackling the most challenging task first thing in the morning. While the image of consuming an amphibian isn’t the most appetizing, the principle is clear: face your biggest challenge head-on. But what about those tasks that are not just big, but downright annoying? That’s where we introduce you to “BATS” – Big Annoying Tasks. Picture them as the pesky bats fluttering around your productive sanctuary.
Just like you wouldn’t want bats invading your living space, you shouldn’t let Big Annoying Tasks linger. These tasks have a knack for zapping your energy and derailing your focus. They’re the ones you procrastinate on, hoping they’ll magically disappear. But just like a determined pest control specialist, you need to swat those BATS away and regain control of your time and productivity.
Swatting the BATS is the cousin of eating the frog, with a touch of annoyance added to the mix. The logic remains the same – address the most cumbersome task first. But unlike a frog, a BAT isn’t just something you need to gulp down – it’s something you need to aggressively swat away.
Why is this strategy effective? When you start your day by tackling the Big Annoying Task, you set the tone for productivity and accomplishment. By removing the thorn from your side early on, you free up mental space and momentum to breeze through the rest of your to-do list.
So, how do you become a master BAT swatter? Here are some tips:
- Identify the BATS: Recognize which tasks are not just big but also annoying. These are the tasks you tend to avoid like the plague.
- Prioritize: Among the BATS, choose the one that’s causing the most disturbance. Addressing it will likely alleviate a lot of your stress.
- Set a Time Limit: Dedicate a specific time slot to swatting the BAT. Knowing that there’s an end in sight can make the process less daunting.
- Break it Down: If the BAT seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller sub-tasks. Tackling these smaller pieces can be less intimidating.
- Use a Reward: Promise yourself a treat or a mini break once you’ve successfully swatted the BAT. It’s like celebrating a successful pest control mission.
- Visualize the Relief: Envision the satisfaction you’ll feel once the task is done. The sense of accomplishment can be a powerful motivator.
- Eliminate Distractions: Close the door to your productive sanctuary and minimize distractions. You’re on a mission to swat that BAT!
Remember, BAT swatting isn’t just about productivity; it’s also about regaining control over your time and mental space. Just as you wouldn’t tolerate bats roosting in your living room, don’t let Big Annoying Tasks overrun your day. By swatting these tasks with determination and focus, you’re taking charge of your productivity and embracing a more efficient, satisfying day.
So, the next time a pesky task starts flapping around in your mental space, channel your inner bat-chasing hero. Approach it with determination, humor, and the knowledge that swatting BATS – just like chasing away those real-life winged intruders – is all about reclaiming your peace of mind, focus, and productive energy. Get your metaphorical broom ready and let’s show those BATS who’s boss!
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.The opinions expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial.
