Discardia_ More Life, Less Stuff - Dinah Sanders [17]
Don’t sweat the how more than the what. Push aside that creative futzing around and move things forward. Step away from the distractions of the web and TV, and whatever other shininess keeps you from tackling your top priority, and put in a solid chunk of effort—15 minutes, half an hour, or an hour—just run one lap.
Right now. Get up and handle the damn thing. Do it, decide not to do it, or break it down to multiple less cringe-worthy tasks. Really, it won't take that long. Just deal with it. It's time.
The man with the hammer
Whether you’re in familiar or alien territory, it’s often tempting to dawdle over those finishing touches trying to make sure that everything is exactly right before you release the results of your work into the world. The artist John Nordstrand said that a work of art requires both an artist and “the man with the hammer” whose job it is to hit the artist when it's time to quit tweaking and call the piece done. Watch for the time to change your role from one to the other. What are you going to declare done today and get out the door (literally or metaphorically)?
Bounce onto it
Got a task you keep putting off? Do it the moment you come back through the door without letting anything else distract you. Whether you are returning from errands, walking into your office in the morning, or coming home at the end of the day, keep that momentum rolling right over that beastly old chore.
Here are some common culprits that require lighting a fire under your butt and doing a lap to break through the procrastination barrier:
Taxes and other bureaucratic chores. Take care of one tedious bureaucratic chore that has been lingering on your list. Make that appointment to renew your driver's license, set up direct deposit for your paychecks with your payroll department at work, and refill those prescriptions—whatever will give you that lovely “Phew! That's finally done” feeling.
Start by pulling together all the papers or information you need to do the task. It usually takes less time than you think but, if you have to stop before doing the rest of the task, at least you’ve made it much easier to finish tomorrow. Take advantage of online services that can streamline what you need to do. I’m a big fan of TurboTax’s online service, for example.
With regard to taxes, there are three possible outcomes to preparing them early: you get your refund early; or you figure out that you don't have to pay a significant amount or you have extra time to budget for a large amount owed. They are all better than waiting to know until the due date. It is astonishing to realize there can be a big payoff from some of these bureaucratic chores. When finally filling out that health care claim, which could result in a big reimbursement check, don’t forget it’s a pretty good hourly wage for sitting down and taking care of it!
Living healthier. Promenading along the shore of denial is not an exercise plan. You know that you want to feel and look great. You know that eating better and moving more will help you achieve this. Find the intersection between what you like and what you want to be doing.
Do a healthy activity you enjoy—say, watching movies or surfing the web while walking on a treadmill—and eat a healthy food you like every day.
If you have to motivate yourself with something other than the benefit of feeling and looking better, write a big check (or a letter volunteering your time) to charity and give it to a trusted friend who will mail it if you haven’t achieved certain workout goals you’ve set for yourself. If a pain in your wallet stirs you into action more than the size of the butt next to it, by all means, use what works!
Building something really great with someone. Don’t hold yourself back waiting for the big, perfect gesture to deepen your friendship