“If only I could get started, then I know I’d be ok and get into it… I just can’t get started.”
Waiting to feel motivated enough to start work can be as futile as standing on a roundabout and waiting for the wind change enough to push you round. You need to get into motion first, then see what shows up to help. Once we get started the energy often starts to flow.
One way to give yourself that first weighty push…
1) Write down the first 3-5 things that need to be done. Each should take less than 20 minutes. If any of your tasks take longer than that, then break them down into smaller steps. Keep it simple and easy to complete as you build momentum. If you don’t even know what you need to do, then your first task on the list is making your to do list!
2) Set a timer for 25 minutes and start on task one. If you complete task 1 before the timer goes off, move onto task 2. When timer goes off, STOP.
3) Set a timer for 5 minutes, take a break, GET UP drink a glass of water, dance, eat, meditate, play, stretch, or run up and down the stairs 10 times. When the timer goes off, sit back down.
4) Set the timer for another 25 minutes and carry on where you stopped last time. Keep going until timer goes off.
5) Set 5 minutes timer, take a break GET UP etc
And repeat.
The motivation often (not always) follows the action. Act like you are motivated and it’s likely you’ll start to feel motivated. And even if you don’t, it doesn’t stop you from making progress regardless.
This post was inspired by our online course Y12 Lockdown: How to Survive and Thrive.