Every now and then, we encounter a seemingly simple task that we wish to accomplish. But even before we start, we discover small and sometimes annoying tasks that have to be taken care off before we begin with the main task.
The small steps, hoops, or hindrances that stand between us and the main task can lead to loss of focus, waste of time, procrastination, and even task abandonment.
Solving some intermediate problems may be necessary depending on the desired outcome. Some goals or tasks can be quite complicated to a point where we are unable to forecast challenges that might arise during the process. In this case, we might shave a yak or two. In the future, we can take the lessons from this task and use them to eliminate unnecessary steps and avoid a yak shaving day.
Shaving a yak is when we find ourselves performing a series of tasks that can be eliminated. Most of the tasks arise from poorly designed workflow or unclear end goal or pathway. With proper planning and preparation, most of the mundane tasks that we perform on a daily basis can be eliminated.
Here is an example of me shaving a hairy yak.
Recently, I had some free time and I took upon myself to mow the lawn. Since I’m an environmentally conscious person, I use a battery powered lawnmower. But when I went into the garage to get the lawnmower, the battery was dead! So, I had to charge the battery for about an hour.
Then, I remembered I had to take an allergy pill before I performed any yard work. I went to the medicine cabinet and I realized my allergy medications had expired.
Since the battery was still charging, I decided to drive to the drug store to buy allergy meds. On my way back home, I noticed my car was running out of fuel. Fortunately, there was a fuel station on the way and I decided to stop and fill up.
While I was fueling up, I was also cleaning my windshield. But before I was done, I started feeling lucky and I had a dollar to spare. So, I ran inside the convenience store to buy a Lottery ticket. After cleaning the windshield, filling up the fuel tank, and wasting a dollar, I was on my way home ready for some yard work.
After arriving home, I felt hungry plus I did not want to take an allergy pill on an empty stomach. So, I heated some leftover food and I sat down to eat while reading some emails on my phone. Since I’m addicted to my phone, I couldn’t stop after the emails. I checked Facebook, stock market, eBay, and a YouTube video before I realized that half of the day was gone. What the yak?
After several hours of doing mundane tasks and being distracted, I was ready to start mowing the lawn. For half a day, I was shaving a yak – a very hairy yak.
Do not waste your day shaving a Yak. Find the unnecessary steps to eliminate so you can remain focused, save time, save resources, and improve your productivity.
‘Yak Shaving Day’ originated from The Ren & Stimpy Show on Nickelodeon in 1990s. Carlin Vieri coined the phrase ‘Yak Shaving’ while attending MIT. You can read this email sent by his colleague describing their experience at the MIT computer lab.
Thank you for reading and have a nice yak shaving day!
