Do you tend to put things off sometimes?
Do you save the hardest tasks for last or get them done first?
Do you want to know how to express putting things off in English?
We all have different ways of getting things done and this is all about our productivity.
Today we’re going to look at how to express our productivity style in English.
Here’s a question that shows that you are not alone in how to express productivity issues.
Hi Lindsay, Michelle, and Jessica!
I hope you’ve been well! I will start my Master’s at the University in one month, I am at the same time scared and excited, so I will need your podcast more than ever
Thanks again for answering to my previous questions on your show, that was very cool and super clear!
I have some other points to bring to the table. The question is: When I have several tasks to do, I take on the hardest one first. How can I express this idea in English? I want to express that I want to get the hardest task done first.
-Fabrice
We All Have Different Productivity Styles
You have to know what your individual style is.
When you have a bunch of things to do, do you usually do the one you don’t want to do first or do you procrastinate on it?
We all procrastinate things sometimes, especially for things that require more effort or planning.
Some Helpful Ways To Talk About Productivity
You might not say “finish off” where productivity is concerned.
This might be better saved for eating a dessert after a big dinner, not necessarily for productivity.
There are better expressions that pertain to productivity.
- Get it over with: It’s a task that you don’t want to do, but you want to get the hardest task done first.
- “I have so much homework to do, but let’s just get it over with first so I can get to dinner.”
- Get it out of the way: It’s like you’re removing something.
- “I’d love to meet you for lunch, but I have to head to the gym and get it out of the way first.”
- Get to it or hop to it: It basically means do something! It may be said from a parent to a child.
- “I know you don’t really want to do laundry but hop to it so you can get to that party later!”
- Don’t put it off: Delaying getting something done or saying that you will get it done later because you don’t feel like doing it today.
- “You’ve been talking about getting your car washed so don’t put it off another day.”
Common Thoughts About Productivity
There are certain phrases that speak to productivity or a lack of productivity among people.
- “One of these days is none of these days.”
This means if you put it off that it may not happen at all.
- “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left to those who hustle.”
You might only get what’s left over after the productive people take control of things.
Don’t just sit back and wait while other people are hustling.
Everyone has a different style but we all have to be productive in our own ways.
Takeaway
Do you put things off or do you like to get things over with?
There are many different phrases to say something similar about productivity.
You want to know how to talk about productivity and use the right phrases.
Build the skills to communicate about your style to have better English conversations.
If you have any questions, please leave them below in the comments section.
We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
