5 Ways To Combat Reactionary Workflow

1. Create windows of non-stimulation. Proactively blocking out time for creating and absorbing – rather than just responding – is a key tactic of productive creatives.
2. Keep Two Lists. When it comes to organizing the day's tasks – and how your energy will be allocated – create two lists: one for urgent items and another for important ones.
3. Schedule intense periods of processing at a consistent time every day. 
4.  Don't hoard urgent items. When you are in the position to do so, challenge yourself to delegate urgent items to others.
5. Don't dwell.  Worrying wastes time and distracts us from returning to the important stuff.