One Thing a Day, One Task at a Time

"People tend to overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can achieve in 5 years." This insight, shared by Sigrun, a coach for starting online entrepreneurs, is something I try to keep in mind. It highlights a common pitfall: we often overcommit ourselves daily but fail to appreciate the cumulative power of sustained, focused effort over time.

Daily Work: Less Is Better

Every day, I create a to-do list with multiple items. Yet, I’ve noticed that I rarely—well, basically never—complete everything on the list. I’ve learned (and try to remind myself often) that I can really move forward on only one big task each day. Sure, I can do some small tasks, like answering emails or meeting with students. But when it comes to doing something important—like writing a good blog post, researching a topic, or preparing for a lecture—I find that focusing on just one main task works best.

My brain is always active, and thoughts constantly run through my mind. So, I keep a paper nearby to write down any ideas I get. In this way I don't occupy my brain with "trying to not to forget that amazing new idea" and can go on. This actually helps me a lot.

When I fully commit to a single task and give it my undivided attention, the quality of my work improves, and I actually achieve something valuable. Easy to say, right? And of course this helps not only with today’s task but also with my long-term goals. 

The Challenge of Focus: A Key Skill for Our Group

This will be a big task in our group. As I reflect on my own work habits, I see that this is an area where our entire group could improve. To learn to focus. While it’s beneficial to have a secondary “relaxing” activity to turn to when you hit a mental block, real progress happens when we dedicate most of our time to one key project. That’s when the magic happens.

This principle is particularly crucial in academia, where the depth of your research can make a significant impact. Our PhD student, who recently returned from TU Delft, emphasized this very point. He observed that the researchers there excel because they stick to one topic and delve deeper and deeper, avoiding the temptation to scatter their efforts across unrelated side projects. This depth, rather than breadth, is what leads to breakthroughs and meaningful contributions to the field.

Focus for Long-Term Success of Our Group

Focusing on one main task each day doesn’t mean ignoring everything else. It’s about prioritizing the most important work and making steady progress. Over time, this adds up to big achievements that might seem impossible in just one day.

As a future group leader, I believe it’s important to encourage everyone to focus on deep, meaningful work. By concentrating our efforts, we can achieve greater results and make a lasting impact with our research and projects. Our goal is to create robots that truly help people improve their work and quality of life, rather than robots that need humans to serve them. What’s your long-term goal?

So, my message today (especially for myself) is simple: doing less can help you achieve more. Focus on what matters most, and trust that consistent effort will lead to great results over time.