“Might as Well”: The Gentle Art of Accidental Productivity

Transforming small moments into progress: A depression-friendly approach to getting things done

When struggling with depression, traditional productivity methods can feel overwhelming or even impossible. The “Might as well” approach offers a gentler, more manageable way to approach tasks and manage personal productivity.

What is the “Might as Well” Mindset?

I have struggled with motivation and executive dysfunction for much of my life, which only increases my anxiety as life builds up around me. For years, I yo-yod between wallowing in all that I had to do every day and manic productivity, when I would accomplish everything I dreaded with astonishing speed, only to fall back into the freezing stage after wearing myself out. I wish I could remember who I initially saw write about it, but the “Might as well” approach has immensely improved my daily productivity, allowing me to grow and improve at my own pace.

The “Might as well” mindset is about leveraging small moments of motivation to accomplish daily tasks rather than waiting for the high energy that may not always come when depressed or struggling with motivation.

How It Works

1. Begin with a tiny, almost insignificant task and aim to accomplish that task and that task alone. For example, if you are in the kitchen, you might as well put one dish in the dishwasher while you are there.

2. Then, use the momentum of completing that one small task as a springboard for another. Using the dish example, since you are putting one dish away, you might as well put two or three more away while there instead of using additional energy later to accomplish that task.

3. Focus on doing something rather than doing it perfectly. For example, you may not have the energy to deep clean the bathroom, but you might as well wipe down the sink while you’re thinking about it.

Implementing the “Might as Well” Approach

Using the “might as well” technique reduces the mental load of deciding whether to do something and ever so slowly, you can build up to bigger and more significant tasks. It is important to acknowledge each task as an achievement, no matter how small.

1. Identify small, manageable tasks in your daily routine.
2. Look for natural transitions to tasks in the room you are in
3. Continue mentally reinforcing, “Since I’m here, I might as well…”
4. Don’t force it — if it feels too much, it’s okay to stop or return to the task later. It’s important to remember self-care and to be gentle with yourself!
5. Reflect on what you’ve accomplished, no matter how small. Journal your accomplishments so you can come back and reflect later!

Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. The “Might as well” approach is about making life a little easier, one small task at a time. What are your tips and tricks for staying productive? Please leave them in the comments below!