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Do you have something to do on your list that somehow just won't go away? No matter how long you put it off it still needs to be done? Maybe it's going to the gym or calling your insurance company about a recent claim. Each day, we are forced to do things we don't want to do. We all procrastinate for different reasons but our brains have one thing in common. We each have a part of our brain that innately tells us to avoid unpleasant tasks - this is the same part of the brain that tells us to pull away when touching something hot. This part of the brain functions automatically. However, the part of the brain that allows us to be productive (a.k.a. get things done) is not on auto-pilot. How do we turn on our brains to be productive?
We each have different tricks we use throughout the day to help us focus and stay on task. We can use similar tricks to help us tackle the sometimes, unpleasant tasks.
1. Don't do it alone. Call a friend or family member and ask for their support. Hire a professional organizer. For smaller tasks consider hiring a virtual organizer.
2. Do it first. Use tasks that you enjoy (eating dessert or calling your best friend) as a reward for completing the task that you've been procrastinating. Do the unpleasant task first thing in the morning or first thing when you get home from work... then you can give yourself a reward!
3. Be consistent. Do this task consistently for 2 weeks and then it will become second nature. You won't dread it. It will simply be part of your routine. Learning and instilling new habits take time.
4. Tackle the task in small bits. Don't do it all at once. Set a timer for 10 minutes and see what you can accomplish. You may surprise yourself!
5. Achieve satisfaction. Completing a task that you have been putting off is very rewarding. It's a great feeling. Remind yourself of that great feeling before and during the task. It's worth just getting it done!
What is one thing that you've been putting off? Tackle multiple tasks that you've been procrastinating and reward yourself. It will feel so great to finally no longer see those tasks on your to do list. What are you waiting for? Plan your productive day today!
We each have different tricks we use throughout the day to help us focus and stay on task. We can use similar tricks to help us tackle the sometimes, unpleasant tasks.
1. Don't do it alone. Call a friend or family member and ask for their support. Hire a professional organizer. For smaller tasks consider hiring a virtual organizer.
2. Do it first. Use tasks that you enjoy (eating dessert or calling your best friend) as a reward for completing the task that you've been procrastinating. Do the unpleasant task first thing in the morning or first thing when you get home from work... then you can give yourself a reward!
3. Be consistent. Do this task consistently for 2 weeks and then it will become second nature. You won't dread it. It will simply be part of your routine. Learning and instilling new habits take time.
4. Tackle the task in small bits. Don't do it all at once. Set a timer for 10 minutes and see what you can accomplish. You may surprise yourself!
5. Achieve satisfaction. Completing a task that you have been putting off is very rewarding. It's a great feeling. Remind yourself of that great feeling before and during the task. It's worth just getting it done!
What is one thing that you've been putting off? Tackle multiple tasks that you've been procrastinating and reward yourself. It will feel so great to finally no longer see those tasks on your to do list. What are you waiting for? Plan your productive day today!
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