Stop Giving Yourself Homework: A Guide to Managing Professional Follow-ups

In the fast-paced environment of modern work, we often find ourselves acting as "team players" at the cost of our own personal time. Laura Vanderkam, host of the Before Breakfast podcast, highlights a common productivity trap: the tendency to assign ourselves "homework" during meetings or conversations, only to find ourselves executing these tasks late at night when we would rather be resting. To reclaim your time and maintain productivity, it is essential to be strategic about how and when you handle requests.

The Problem with Delayed Execution

Many of us have experienced the "jam-packed" day where we write down notes for follow-up tasks during meetings. Because our schedules are so full, these tasks often get pushed to the end of the day, forcing us to work until 6 pm or later. This not only creates unnecessary stress but also leads to inefficiencies, such as sending information to someone who may not even end up using it. As Vanderkam suggests, we need to find ways to be helpful without creating a burden for our "future selves."

Strategy 1: The Power of Real-Time Completion

If you are comfortable with a request, the most efficient approach is to fulfill it "right then." Whether it is searching for an old annual meeting agenda or checking on a department budget, acting immediately removes the item from your mental to-do list.

• During Meetings: If you need information from another department, send the request while you are still in the meeting. Even if they don't reply immediately, you have successfully moved the "ball into someone else's court."
• One-on-One Sessions: When meeting with a direct report or someone less tightly scheduled, you can handle more extensive requests—such as providing professional recommendations or reviewing documents—during the meeting itself. This allows for immediate feedback and eliminates the need for endless email chains or post-meeting homework.

Strategy 2: Shifting Responsibility and Autonomy

Another effective way to manage your time is to ensure the other person can take the "next step independently." Instead of promising to email a link later—which carries the risk of forgetting—have the other person perform the action themselves, such as emailing a link to their own inbox.

Furthermore, you can place the burden of follow-up on the other party by saying: "If, after you look into this, you decide that you'd like me to send you more information... let me know." This strategy prevents you from spending valuable time on tasks that the other person might not actually be interested in pursuing. If they lose interest, you have saved yourself from doing unnecessary work.

Conclusion: Feeling "As Free as a Kid"

While it is perfectly fine to buy yourself time if you are unsure about a request, the goal should be to avoid letting routine tasks clutter your to-do list. By addressing quick requests immediately, you can finish your day feeling "as free as a kid who got her homework done during study hall." By adopting these habits, you no longer need to "break open the books" at the end of the day, allowing you to reclaim your evening for yourself. Ultimately, being a team player doesn't have to mean sacrificing your personal time; it just requires a more strategic approach to task management.