8 ways to get started on a task you don't feel like doing

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Share your plans with others, temporarily switch to a routine, and do not forget about the reward.

Every morning, after having breakfast before work, I open my to-do list and check my inbox. Then I schedule the tasks on the calendar, making sure that each time frame is needed.

Justin Pot blogger, journalist

A to-do list is, of course, a good thing, but a calendar is better. It is no coincidence that businessmen, entrepreneurs and other busy people prefer this option. The calendar gives a more accurate picture of the time. Looking at the to-do list, you can hardly tell at a glance how many days or hours you have devoted to a particular item. With the calendar, everything is clearly visible.

This method gives you two advantages: it makes you look at time as a resource and it reminds you of the tasks ahead.

2. Tell others about your intentions

We are all very good at lying to ourselves. We can convince ourselves that we’ll watch this funny YouTube video first and then jump into work with triple strength. True, the first funny video is followed by the second, then the third, and the working time is irretrievably lost.

This trick does not work with others. Therefore, let your colleagues (or other people you trust) know about the things you are firmly planning to do today. Ask them to remind you of this and monitor: knowing that you are being watched from the outside is very disciplining. In the end, it is much easier to come up with an excuse in dialogue with yourself than to hear from those around you, "You haven't done anything yet?"

3. Do something even more annoying

Still can't bring yourself to start the hateful task? Find some routine activity that is even less enjoyable for you, and do it for a while. After a few minutes, you yourself will begin to crave to deal with the main business in the shortest possible time.

Trick number one: grab something you least enjoy doing - cleaning, some unimportant errands, and so on. Against the background of such really unpleasant cases, the main task will seem very interesting to you.

Peter Malmgren developer

Cleaning is not a bad option for such a "hated occupation", because it does not require much mental stress. If you feel that you cannot escape from procrastination, obey it, but instead of pleasant and meaningless surfing in the browser, lay out documents, wash the kitchen or tidy up the whole apartment.

First, you will procrastinate in a not entirely useless way. Secondly, during routine activities, your mind will be in a kind of "absent-minded" state, ideal for brainstorming over your main task. Just don't get carried away too much, otherwise you will be doing nonsense all day.

4. Promise yourself to figure it out in five minutes

Do you have an idea of some grandiose project in your head, but you just can't bring yourself to sit down and somehow start to implement it? There is a simple trick. Promise yourself to do what you have planned in just five minutes.

Sit down, set a timer, and try to work the entire time without distractions. No multitasking. After all, everyone can not be distracted for a miserable five minutes, right? But the trick is that when the time is up, you'll be more inclined to keep working on the task rather than giving it up.

Yes, and if you have things planned that can be done in less than two minutes, do them now. Get in the habit of tackling small tasks right away, without delay, and they will not clutter your list and distract from the really important points.

5. Break the task down into smaller pieces

Large and complex projects just want to be put on the back burner. Small things, on the other hand, can be done without delay. Therefore, a good way to finish something big and unpleasant is to break the project down into many small tasks.

Even the path of 1,000 li starts with one step.

Lao Tzu

Create a bunch of bullet points and write down what small steps you will take to complete the case. And then just complete the assigned tasks, crossing out the ready ones. A pen and paper, a simple word document, or a list app will help you.

6. Reward yourself

Dog trainers know that treating a treat on time is a good way to reinforce correct behavior. Humans and dogs, despite their evolutionary differences, still have one thing in common: they both value reward.

Try this: Promise yourself something worthwhile before embarking on an unpleasant business. Finish your work and reward yourself for your work. Simple and effective.

Delicious food is a good reward, but there are other options as well.

For example, an episode of your favorite TV show or an outdoor walk. Reward yourself for what you are doing and it will be much easier for you to get started.

A similar strategy is at the heart of the Pomodoro technique: you work 25 minutes without distraction, and then reward yourself with a five minute break.

7. Consult with colleagues

Are you still out of business? Why not ask colleagues to help you and discuss the project with them? Ideas that are thrown to you will help you focus on the task.

In addition, the attention of colleagues will further motivate you. It's easy to mess around when no one is looking. But if people around you expect you to be doing something important, you will get an extra incentive to meet their expectations.

People are social creatures, they need each other. There is no shame in asking others to help you with ideas on how to start a difficult task. It really works.

8. Finish reading and take action

Reading articles about defeating procrastination is also a kind of procrastination. So bookmark this post - you will return to it in the evening. And now, finally, deal with all the affairs that oppress you. Good luck.