Eight Things To Get You Moving When You Don't Feel Like It
Do you ever put off a task that would release you from a bottleneck and get you moving forward?
Do you procrastinate on taking an uncomfortable step - even though it’s crucial?
Do you avoid projects that scares you?
Probably.
I mean, you’re human!
I know I still struggle with these tendencies sometimes.
So, I wanted to offer:
Eight Tips to Get You Moving When You Don’t Feel Like It:
Evaluate: Does this thing really, 100% truly need doing? If not, scratch it off your to-do list and let it go.
Put it first: Choose a day you’re going to do it. Figure out the soonest possible time you can do it after waking - and then get it done! Don’t let distractions pull you away. As Nike says: Just Do It.
Create a turtle step: I love coach and writer Martha Beck and credit her with this approach. Take your task and continuously break it down by half until you get to a scope that feels ridiculously easy. For example, you want to write an article for a magazine? Half that: write half an article. Half it again: write a paragraph. Half it: write one sentence. Half it: choose a topic for said sentence. And half again: write down ten possible topics. Keep reducing it all the way until you’re no longer resistant or intimidated. Do that step, then another. Turtle steps add up. Don’t underestimate ‘em.
Reward Yourself: Choose your reward in advance and, once you’ve done the thing, give yourself the reward. You must give yourself the reward. Be reliable and kind. Build trust in yourself, give yourself the dopamine hit, and watch how this habit can wire your brain for action and success.
Find a buddy: Enlist someone to help you, accompany you, or cheer you on to get the thing DONE. (For more on this approach, you might want to read my blog on when it’s time to Up the Ante).
Use a timer: I LOVE this one. Seriously, when you are filled with dread, please set that a timer for a very short amount of time and watch yourself GO. I’m talking 5 minutes, 10 minutes, whatever makes it feel tolerable to start. Try it!
Visualize completion: Imagine how GOOD it’s going to feel and what benefits lie ahead. Let the satisfying vision propel you into taking one step towards bringing it to life: one step!
Choose one + commit: You actually can’t just read these tips, nod affirmatively, and mutter under your breath, ‘Yeah, those make good sense.’
You can do this.
Go get ‘em.
P.S. If you struggle with paralysis, procrastination, or find yourself scrolling instead of doing, please set up a 60-minute free consult with me. I’m a certified Self-Belief Coach and I’d love to help you cut though self-doubt and resistance and see what else is possible.
Nicola Holmes is a Life Coach who helps people turn their potent questions, dream and longings into inspired action. With warmth and wisdom, she’ll guide you to untangle constraints and cultivate courage to create a more aligned and joyful life. She has a BASc in Human Development, an MEd in Adult Learning and spent two decades working in the non-profit sector. Along with coaching for the past 14 years, she’s mama to two young spirited kids and dedicated to Buddhism. Having experienced long Covid and a move over the past two years, she brings deep empathy to others who are exploring how they’ve changed and who they’re becoming in turbulent times. Check out Nicola @nicolaholmescoach or join the email party for inspiration and resources to fuel the changes you want.