How to turn the performance of annoying duties into fun? Try a new trend: the "office party" with friends
Where did "admin nights" come from?
Everyone has a variety of annoying duties. Classically, we all put them off until later. So journalist Chris Colin came up with a pretty simple solution, which he named "admin nights". The principle behind these "admin nights" is very simple - and is similar to, say, a book club. Friends get together and take the opportunity to encourage each other to, for example, pay bills and complete other tasks.
While it may not yet be clear to you what's so great about these meetings, TikTok users have already fallen for"admin nights". And on closer inspection, it's actually no wonder. This strange concept works really well - it can turn all the annoying and procrastinated tasks into something collaborative. In addition, changing the "work context", where a boring task is set in a friendly atmosphere with friends, music or snacks, can trick the brain quite solidly, so that the task becomes... at least a little less boring. At the same time, friends tackling their own tasks act as an imaginary support network - until you feel the quiet voice in your head change from "I can't do this" to "let's do it together".
Together, let's de-stress...
Yes, "admin nights" can be much broader than they may first appear. According to some, "adult life" is much more challenging and downright overwhelming for today's young people. But let's try for once to put aside the media-hyped fragile snowflake inserts and acknowledge that people today are indeed faced with a whole host of demanding, rolling tasks and responsibilities - from digital bureaucracy that requires at least rudimentary tech literacy, to the growing number of different subscriptions. All of this ultimately creates the presence of constant stress. And when one tries to ignore the tasks at hand, one is then paralysed by one's own inability to fulfil them. However, tackling these tasks together fundamentally changes the whole equation.
In the context of "admin nights", some even talk about a real psychological mechanism using the concept of body doubling. And this is a pretty easy practice involving completing tasks together with others, for the sake of improving focus and also getting to the goal. Those who struggle with ADHD, for example, often work with body doubling. But you certainly don't have to be hyperactive for "admin nights" to fulfill their purpose. After all, who wouldn't be positively energized by completing a pesky task, perhaps with a drink or other minor celebration?
...and support each other
Another perspective is quite interesting, and that is from the point of view of the nowadays so common procrastination. The alpha and omega of chronic procrastination is just the inability to start (understand: to get started). Licensed counsellor and psychologist Zvi Beliin agrees, explaining that "starting a task requires mental energy, but once it's started, the dynamic changes and it's much easier to keep going". So when friends support each other in completing tasks - and challenge each other - things can start to move much more easily.
But however you approach an administrative evening, this can also overcome a fairly common problem that people encounter when they want to get together with friends: many will apologise for not having the time because they have to deal with tasks that are pouring in from all sides. Everyone then sits at home alone, staring frustratedly at the monitor, with little productivity to speak of anyway. So an office evening is not only a great way to get a lot of work done, but also an excellent opportunity to meet friends. As one of the participants in this "event" summed up, "the administrative tasks themselves were boring - but there was always a broader and interesting discussion around them."
So when you feel like you're being overwhelmed with tasks - and haven't seen your friends in a while - try a new approach. Instead of "I can't keep up, I'm busy", organise an "admin night". You'll pay the bills, deal with the emails (not to mention file your tax return) - and while it will still be somewhat annoying and boring, you won't be alone.
