Tackling the task you dread the most, the night before, can be a game changer.

Tasks can pile up if left unattended. I’m a big advocate of naming your ‘big 3’ for the day, as a way to stay focused on what you need to achieve during that particular day.

But the dreaded task, that needs to get done before the next morning, is a whole other thing.

One daily ‘home’ task I dread is washing my daughter’s dishes. I keep most of her things, like her cups, straws and plates, separate from the other dishes. They’re in their own little bin. I plan on merging them all together soon, but right now, they’re something I wash at the end of the evening.

I love the dishwasher, but I hand wash a few of her things. Sometimes I get so tired, that I just put it off and then the morning comes.

I personally can’t stand seeing dishes in the sink the next morning. It may seem like a small thing, but mentally, it just puts me in an “ugh” space.

This is also relevant for creative tasks. I tend to put off researching, but doing portions of it the night before helps streamline the next day. I’m able to implement what I already researched, allowing me to jump right into being productive with my time.

When I do the thing I dread most the night before, the next morning, I’m ready to go! I literally have a pep in my step! 😆 —> Check out my post on The Big 3: Organizing Your Day, if you haven’t yet.

Below I’ve put together four reasons/benefits to just get the task done!! If your task doesn’t have a concrete deadline yet, and if you’re able to, get it done the night before!

Here are four key benefits of doing so:

1. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

When you leave a dreaded task for later, it might tend to linger in the back of your mind, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety. The longer you put it off, the more it takes over your thoughts, potentially causing more anxiety about the very task and even interfering with your sleep.

By addressing it the night before, you prevent it from occupying mental space, allowing you to relax and get a better night’s sleep. You’re reducing the mental burden. And it’ll give you peace of mind knowing that you have already handled it.

2. Improves Focus and Productivity the Next Day

Once you’ve completed or at least started your most dreaded task, your focus on other tasks improves. The anxiety of having to do it later is removed, and you can work on your other responsibilities without distraction. Your brain isn’t constantly thinking about the thing you still need to do.

You can approach the next day with a clearer mind, being more productive and creative.

Also, by checking something off your list that you’ve been dreading, you immediately gain a sense of accomplishment.

3. Prevents Procrastination from Accumulating

When you postpone something you dislike, you might keep putting it off until it becomes urgent. This can lead to rushed work, mistakes, or a build-up of tasks. Tackling it the night before helps you avoid this cycle of procrastination and lowers the chances of tasks piling up.

You get into a proactive routine instead of a rushed reactive one. Taking action the night before teaches you to stay ahead and manage tasks more effectively.

4. Improves Time Management Skills

The act of completing a dreaded task the night before forces you to plan ahead and make time for it, which improves your time management skills. It shows you that you can structure your schedule in a way that ensures you take care of your least favorite activity. This habit helps you to prioritize better and use your time more wisely in the future.

Completing a task at night forces you to be disciplined in managing your time, which will carry over into other areas of life.

By making it a habit to deal with unpleasant, dreaded tasks the night before, you’re setting yourself up for success in managing your time, reducing stress, and increasing productivity.

What’s a task you dread that you can shift to doing the night before? Let me know here or on IG!

– Jess