"From Procrastination to Productivity: The Power of Acting 'Now-ish

Procrastination is a universal challenge, especially in the fast-paced world of software development. Tasks pile up, technical debt grows, and documentation gets pushed aside. But what if there was a way to break the cycle? This article introduces the concept of acting “now-ish” to combat procrastination and improve productivity. 🚀

What Does 'Now-ish' Mean?

“Now-ish” is a mindset that encourages tackling tasks soon after they arise—before they slip into the nebulous realm of “later.” It’s not about dropping everything immediately but prioritizing tasks to ensure they don’t linger indefinitely.

Three Types of Actions

The article identifies three ways people handle tasks: 1️⃣ Write It Down: Using planners or apps to make tasks visible and harder to ignore. 2️⃣ Rely on Memory: Trusting yourself to remember, though this is often unreliable. 3️⃣ Say It Aloud: A verbal acknowledgment that often leads to de-prioritization.

Visibility is key—tasks that are written down are more likely to be completed.

Applying 'Now-ish' in Software Development

1️⃣ Technical Debt:

• Ignoring technical debt can lead to compounded issues.

• Make technical debt visible by documenting it and discussing it with your team.

• Address it incrementally to build momentum and reduce long-term effort.

2️⃣ Documentation:

• Developers often delay writing documentation, but this creates problems down the line.

• Writing documentation “now-ish” ensures that context isn’t lost and saves time in the future.

The Benefits of Acting 'Now-ish'

• Reduced Mental Load: Lingering tasks take up mental space and create stress.

• Improved Team Collaboration: Visible tasks encourage accountability and teamwork.

• Better Project Outcomes: Addressing issues proactively leads to smoother workflows and fewer surprises.

Final Thoughts

Adopting a “now-ish” mindset doesn’t mean doing everything immediately—it’s about prioritizing tasks and making them visible to ensure they get done. Whether it’s tackling technical debt, writing documentation, or addressing personal to-dos, acting “now-ish” can transform your productivity and reduce stress.