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Abstract

ention it requires.</p><p id="6c17">Equally important is the need to complete every task that due for initiation on that day, unless it requires a staged-approach towards completion as it is impossible to finish in one setting.</p><p id="1fe6">For instance, a 5,000-word academic research paper.</p><p id="6b3d">In that sense, it is much better to spilt that task into 5 separate reminders, each at 1,000 words.</p><p id="60b1">This ensures completion of assignment by stages.</p><p id="b83b">The important message here is not about the reminders.</p><p id="d69f">The reminders serve a purpose of keeping us focused and on track.</p><p id="be4d">We have to use them to advance our productivity.</p><p id="e653">Not the reverse.</p><p id="0b6c"><b>Related Stories from the Author.</b></p><div id="57e5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/is-your-day-in-a-mess-56fde0fde1d9"> <div> <div> <h2>Is Your Day in a Mess?</h2> <div><h3>There are days where things spin out of control.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*3EUmXjUjLGvXze24QTYdDQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="a2bf" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/do-you-love-robots-i-do-829b878e296a"> <div> <div> <h2>Do You Love Robots? I Do.</h2> <div><h3>I love my robo-vacuum. His name is Snow.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*AtfzpKK4zfVsCelY9ge-pw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="bb08" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/resurrection-of-the-mind-the-secret-no-one-tells-you-e40da48bbfb8"> <div> <div> <h2>Resurrection of the Mind: The Secret No One Tells You.</h2> <div><h3>When a nap, a cup of coffee isn’t enough for a recharge.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*5g3WMOivLUwNTVTh_MvmEA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div>

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    </div><p id="707c"><b>About the Author:</b></p><p id="9ea9">As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.</p><p id="5c74">Because simplicity adds value.</p><p id="c097">Simplicity helps us gain clarity, and clarity helps us to grow.</p><p id="c4a9">And if we are not growing, then what’s the point of anything else?</p><p id="8301">What do you think about the article? Comment Below!</p><p id="762d"><i>This is more about me as a Content Contributor on Medium.</i></p><div id="e053" class="link-block">
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The Purpose of Reminders.

If you are as forgetful as I am — Reminders are critical to our survival.

Photo by Lucrezia Carnelos on Unsplash

It ensures that we are on top of our task pile, at home or at work. I remember the last time I got screamed at for not clearing the rubbish bin when it is filled to be the brim.

That was this morning.

The reason?

The reminder is saved, the notification is not set.

No notifications, no actions.

Having the system in place takes away the Lion’s Share of deliberate mental effort and it allows for the Life to hum along in metronomic fashion.

Tik Tok, Tik Tok.

Tik Tok, Tik Tok.

Of course, there will be days where misfires happen.

Just like this morning.

As with all systems, performance has to be measured in the state of 80/20.

There are also times when overreliance on the system can present a problem.

Let me explain.

Do you have days where there are too many reminder notifications within the same morning?

If you do, then you will understand what I mean.

It saps motivation.

Clearly, it takes a lot more mental and emotional energy to overcome the inertia of restlessness when there are “too many” tasks we have to attend to in a setting.

“Too many” is highly arbitrary and individual.

For some, having 5 concurrent tasks can be overbearing.

For others, the number could be 2.

Regardless of the number, the important thing is to keep the purpose of the reminder intact without creating a self-defeating mechanism.

I would typically relook at the all the existing and upcoming reminders for their start times and dates. Whenever I detect an overconcentration of reminders in a particular day or segment of the day — I will spread them out.

This ensures that every task gets the time and attention it requires.

Equally important is the need to complete every task that due for initiation on that day, unless it requires a staged-approach towards completion as it is impossible to finish in one setting.

For instance, a 5,000-word academic research paper.

In that sense, it is much better to spilt that task into 5 separate reminders, each at 1,000 words.

This ensures completion of assignment by stages.

The important message here is not about the reminders.

The reminders serve a purpose of keeping us focused and on track.

We have to use them to advance our productivity.

Not the reverse.

Related Stories from the Author.

About the Author:

As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.

Because simplicity adds value.

Simplicity helps us gain clarity, and clarity helps us to grow.

And if we are not growing, then what’s the point of anything else?

What do you think about the article? Comment Below!

This is more about me as a Content Contributor on Medium.

Do reach out and say hi on Linkedin!

Self Improvement
Short Story
Reflections
Life Lessons
Thinking
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