We all lament about unfinished task lists.
But you'll have tasks and obligations as long as you’re alive.
Tasks lists are never simply activities.
They reflect your needs, wants, goals, values, and relationships.
Clarity about why something is on your list and whether it’s important to you or not can ease your move toward completion.
Some tasks are pleasurable. Those are the easy ones; you might not even think of them as tasks.
It’s the ones that never get crossed off the list that bug us.
If you don’t know how or want to do something, you’ll ignore it and beat yourself up for procrastinating.
So of course you’re putting them off.
Who wants to call someone and possibly hear bad news? What’s enjoyable about wading through a tedious or potentially expensive process?
Take a thought break to consider why things are on your list in the first place.
Reflective Reasons
Is it something you want to do?
Is the activity opposite of your preferred type? (physical vs mental)
Is your overwhelming list temporary or ongoing?
Who can do it instead? (a need to be heroic or a martyr?)
Is getting it over with enough motivation?
Does it align with what you value?
Do you resent the assignment? (Think work or taxes)
Can you accept the consequences of ignoring it?
Practical Help
Do you know how?
Need reminders, prompts, or praise?
Have you assigned a time slot?
What kind of help would help?
Other aids
Coffee or medication
Better lighting or sounds or comfort
Uninterrupted time
Suitable space and tools
So the next time you hear yourself lament or realize you’re procrastinating, stop complaining and take a thought break.
Ask some self-coaching questions.
What did you learn, change, accept, or cross off the list?
Good job!
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