5 Easy Ways to Tackle a Task
At work we all have that one task that we keep putting off, because the thought of making a start is daunting.
It could be the report that needs to be written, the email that requires a lot of thought before you hit send, the book you need to start reading, the file that needs sorting etc.
Each time you look at it or think about it, it drains just a little bit more of your energy.
According to Brian Tracy (time management guru) we need to 'eat the frog' first thing in the morning. Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it. It's also the task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at that moment.
Why do we procrastinate?
Procrastination is something we all suffer from. It is the action of delaying or postponing a task. Sometimes we put something off because we see a lack of value in completing it. Other times it feels overwhelming and we don't know where to begin.
As humans we are driven by emotion and we tend to do tasks that we we know will make us feel good and ones that we perceive as easy.
Here are three interesting points about avoiding a task;
It usually takes far less time to complete a task than we imagine it will
The idea of completing a task is almost always more daunting in our heads than in reality
We usually start to feel better the moment we begin
We are designed mentally and emotionally in a way that task completion gives us a positive feeling.
Whenever we complete a task of any size or importance, we feel a surge of energy, enthusiasm, and self-esteem.
The completion of an important task triggers the release of endorphins in our brain and these endorphins give us a natural high.
We can actually develop a ‘positive addiction' to endorphins.
When we develop this addiction, we will, at an unconscious level, begin to organise our life in such a way that we are continually starting and completing even more important tasks and projects.
There are no shortcuts – our mind is like a muscle – it grows stronger and more capable with use.
Here are 5 tips to motivate you to start your 'frog'
1. Prepare well - make sure you have everything you need at arms reach
2. Reduce distractions - do you need your phone pinging with notifications?
3. Discipline yourself to do nothing else except get that job done
4. Allocate yourself enough time to either complete it or at least make a real dent in it
5. Last but certainly not least, make it your first task of the day and just make a start - the moment you do you'll gather momentum and this will propel you forward. You must develop the routine of 'eating your frog' before you do anything else.
According to Brian Tracy, one of the great techniques for overcoming procrastination is for you to get everything that you need to work completely ready, in advance. When everything is laid out neatly and in sequence, you will feel much more like getting on with the job.
Resolve today that you will clean up your work space so that you are ready to begin tomorrow. I promise that you will feel so good once you do make a start, that it will give you enough momentum to keep going.
