Recently I realized again, that I am a very forgetful person and sometimes that contributes to my lack of productivity. I need to quit relying on my brain and write down an idea or a tasks when it is first presented to me. I then need to review my tasks and act on them immediately. Quit putting it off. It leads to nothing but trouble!
Recently I have been struggling with getting things done because things don’t go according to plan. Morning Frost, holidays, and other outside influences have made procrastination easy and make important tasks feel like chores. Something that we all need to do is Remember our Why. There are going to be days that are easy and you reach a state of flow and accomplish many things. There also going to be days where it’s a struggle to get going, to complete a tasks, and avoid procrastination. Remember our Why
1. Why are we trying to accomplish the tasks at hand?
Maybe its exercise you’re putting off…Why do you want to exercise? To look better? Lose weight? Become Healthy? Live long enough to see your grandkids.
Maybe its a project or work you’re putting off…Why our you involved with this work? Promotion? Increase Sales? Grow a business? Provide a living for yourself and family?
2. Look outward for motivation.
If you’re putting off exercise, don’t think of it as bettering yourself. Think about others. How important it is for you to be there for your family and friends.
If you’re putting off a project or work, don’t think of it as a chore. Think of it as that tasks is bettering the company, helping customers, making more money for your family.
There are going to be bad days when we don’t want to do anything…but reflect on your WHY and remember why its important to do the things necessary to achieve our goals. Also look at how achieving our goals impacts and helps others. It will help you look past yourself and give you a deeper meaning and motivation to get started…..Now get started!
Let’s Get It!!!
Ever hear that little voice in your head? “Don’t do it”, “I don’t have time” , ” I don’t have the resources” , “It’s too hot” , ” I’m not qualified enough” . These are just some of the things my head tells me. They all are lies. Seth Godin and Stephen Pressfield call it the “Resistance” of “Lizard Brain“. It’s that voice in your head that starts talking when you want to do something important. It’s the voice that tells you to quit at 1 mile when your scheduled to run 2. The voice that tells you to hit delete as soon as your about to send an important email. The resistance has been hitting me hard this week. I hate it. It ruins my dreams and goals and lets me settle for “Status Quo” The biggest step in defeating the resistance is recognizing it when it starts talking. As soon as it does….say fuck off..
I don’t have time for you
I’m going to kick ass today.
I’m not tired…
I’m not lazy…
I’m not too out of shape…
I’m not dumb…
So quit telling me these lies so I can get on with what I set out to do! Does the resistance talk to you and how do you or will you challenge it? Lets get it!
Thats right just do it! Don’t think about it. ACTION!! I stall all the time. Here are some stalling methods I love. They do me no good but I do them anyways…..avoid these and you will be on your way to dominating laziness!
1. Thinking about the task
There will be a task in front of me and my mind will begin to break it down. How long will it take? What’s involved? What do I need to complete it? Do I have those things? Once I do that my mind tells me this is not the best time to do this tasks. I should wait for a better time. Well later is not a better time. RIGHT NOW IS!
2. Research
Another stalling method is research. My mind tells me I need to find out every little detail about the project before I move on. So I scour the internet or books making sure that I have all my facts in place before moving forward. While its good to know how and what is involved with your tasks. For me it’s just stalling. Dive into it head first and figure out what you need later.
3. Waiting to Feel like it
This is the worst. Let me tell you first hand. I never feel like doing anything. That feeling is never going to come. My feelings would rather me sit on my ass and watch a movie or play on the internet. But once I dive into a task, a hidden energy arrives and takes over my body. Don’t wait or you will be waiting your whole life for the right timing.
4. Doing Unnecessary Tasks
These can be paralyzing to your productivity also. I’ll look at a list of tasks I need to complete. Once again I won’t feel like doing those particular ones because they make me uncomfortable or I think they will be difficult. So instead of being completely lazy I will do something that doesn’t need to get done at that exact moment. I will check my email, work out, look over my business financial statements, or read a book. While they are things that need to be done, they don’t necessarily need to be done at that moment It’s just stalling..or a not so bad form of procrastination.
These are some things that stall or delay my productivity. Recognizing your stalling methods is a big step and will help you move past them and start being productive. What are some of your stalling methods? How do you get past them? Lets Get It!
sunrise (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)
What are your morning thoughts like? There are times I get in the shower and don’t feel like doing anything.My mind says I’m too tired, its going to be along day. and I cant wait til this is over. Not very good thoughts to spark a day full of productivity. Everyone says your thinking motivates your actions. So here’s some ways to get your mind out of the gutter and start doing.
1. Listen to Music While in the Shower
Music pumps me up. Especially upbeat music like techno or some good rock. I have a ipod player in the bathroom and play music in the shower to get me going. After the shower I will even put in headphones and listen to music as I get ready and eat breakfast.
2. Prepare the Night Before
There are mornings when I have already set myself up for disaster by not preparing my day the night before. Sometimes I will say I am going to wake up an hour early to do so. That rarely happens. I press snooze and when I do wake up I’m rushed and disregard some plans for the day. When you prepare the night before, everything is on autopilot in the mornings. Make your lunch, Write out your daily tasks in order, pack your gym bag. The more you prepare the night before the more you set yourself up for success.
3. Read Inspiring Content
There are many blogs that I read every morning from inspiring people. Seth Godin and Michael Hyatt are two of the best and usually post everyday. I sometimes will read a book or the bible. There is awesome sight called http://www.oneyearbible.net that sets you up to read the bible every day and finish it in one year. I don’t do it every day but when I do I usually have better perspective on my life and the day ahead of me.
4. Last but not least. START DOING
Since I am a big thinker and dreamer. Most of the time I wait to “feel like doing something” Well let me tell you I never feel like doing anything! But once I jump that hurdle and start doing Im amazed at how much energy I have and passion to complete the tasks. You can motivate yourself all you want but eventually you have to take action!
These are a few things that help my mornings and my days become less lazy. I don’t do them everyday but I try and that’s all that matters. I hope that you give some of them a try and let me know how it works. Also, what are some of your struggles in the morning? Any routines that help get your day going?
Lets Get It!
Hello,
My name is Ryan Cecil. I am a 27 years old and I am lazy. This is why I am starting this blog. I struggle with laziness daily. Some days it’s not so bad. Others it can be paralyzing to any plans, goals, or daily tasks. I am a dreamer and a visionary. I have high ambitions and expectations for myself but my laziness gets in the way of what needs to be done to achieve great things. I always feel like there is tomorrow or I’ll have more time someday. Well I’m starting to realize that I am not immortal and if I am going to achieve things the time is now! I feel many people are like this. I want to start blogging about my laziness so that I can recognize it and also to help others in the future. It will be a place for inspiration, knowledge, and action for myself and my readers. I will cover everything that I personally struggle with. Health, Relationships, Career, Finances, Productivity, and Hobbies. This is day one and I will post 2-3 times per week.
