Last weekend I was hit with a case of the ‘I don’t feel like it” bug.
You know what I’m talking about right?
I could have cleaned out my office – but I didn’t feel like it. I wanted to get a jump-start on my taxes – but I didn’t feel like it. I should have taken the pile of books that have been sitting on my floor for two weeks to the local bookstore that buys them back, but (say it with me now) – I didn’t feel like it!
So what’s a woman to do when the thoughts and beliefs that get us into action are nowhere to be seen?
According to this article in the Harvard Business Review you can do three things:
1. LOOK AT WHAT YOU WOULD LOSE by not completing these tasks (feel the pain);
2. JUST GET STARTED and force yourself into action regardless of how uninspired you feel, or
3. USE THE “IF-THEN’ TECHNIQUE to help you narrow down what really needs to be done and finally put the “to-do-list tennis match” in your head to bed.
The one that usually works for me is ‘just get started’. My sister even has a phrase to go along with this – type, just type! All of a sudden, 1 sentence turns into a paragraph, which turns into a completed email, blog post, project outline – you get the idea!
But what happens when none of these work? You can read this post on procrastination for some tips. I also put together three more tips that got me out of my funk this past week.
4. TAKE A WALK
In addition to getting into the good books with your lungs, the act of physically moving your body somehow helps to move things around in your head. With all the fresh air and new sensory stimulation, inspiration is all around and could be just the thing you need to get moving.
5. BREAK ALL THE RULES
I know the point of a to-do list is to work through it systematically and cross items off as you do, but what if there was a way you could get it done without even lifting a finger?! Sound like magic? Here’s the way to do it. Write everything down on your list…and…wait for it…rip it up!!! Yes – just rip it up and throw it in the garbage! Use list making as a way to get everything out of your head as opposed to an agenda for your day. I know this can sound scary and even ridiculous to some of you, but I dare you to try it…you will feel free and even a little mischievous for ‘breaking a rule’!
6. CONNECT TO THE BIGGER PICTURE
This is my all time fav and the one I have the most success with both personally and with my clients.
When you don’t feel like doing something, it is usually because you are not connected to your bigger reason for doing it. This “why” provides you with the emotional juice and much needed motivation for taking action.
Here’s how it works: I want to get rid of the books on my floor because I am de-cluttering my space. I know that doing this clears things up in my head and I when I have a clear head, I feel more peaceful. When I feel more peaceful, I am a better friend, sister, daughter, aunt, coach and girlfriend. I am also more productive in my business and that means I can serve my clients better. This is important to me because I have a value for serving others and helping them connect with their best selves. THAT is my bigger reason for getting rid of those books!
Easy right?
Keep peeling the layers off the onion until you get to what matters most and use that to move you into action.
This week’s mission: Your turn. What are you putting off because you just don’t feel like doing it? A vision board? An email to someone? Clearing out your inbox? Use one of these tips to get things moving and start feeling it!
As usual, I would love to hear from you! Do you have a tip that gets you off your sofa and into your flow? Sharing is caring so go ahead and leave your comment below!