You know how some days you simply don’t want to go to work?
One of those days has arrived.
But, hey, I’m the one who’s writing this, right?
Why?
To show that you can get beyond writer’s block. And to show that you can inspire yourself to work regardless of what your deceitful brain tells you — even if it’s Friday and all you want to do is go out — (or watch Netflix).
To be honest, I don’t always have the mental strength to persuade myself to work. As a result, I’m creating this essay in order to discover a solution to this issue.
Consider the possibilities. You can work without having to force yourself to begin. How much stress (and guilt) could we eliminate from our daily lives if we followed the rules? We’d all be happy and productive if that were the case.
So, without further ado, let’s get started…
How to Get Things Done (Even When You Don’t Want to)
Where to Begin When You Don’t Feel Like Doing What You’re Supposed to Do
Nike has already solved this problem for us:
Just Do It.
Simply disregard your feelings and get to work, whether it’s exercising, writing your novel, or getting up early.
People believe that they must first feel inspired before doing, but the truth is that motivation comes from action. For example, once you’ve completed one push-up, you’ll be inspired to do more.
Related: 20 Tips To Have Your Life Organized Right Now
You Don’t Work Because You’re Overworked… Also, Are You Scared Of Failure?
When you don’t want to work, here’s how to make yourself do it.
When you’re doing something new, interesting, and large, this is common. When so much is riding on your achievement, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
There’s a simple method to break free from this overwhelming sensation: don’t get too caught up with the results! In any case, you have no idea what’s going to happen.
Dr. Stephen Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says that you should spend your time and energy on things you can control, such as individuals in your circle of influence, rather than those you can’t.
Your circle of influence at work is limited to your dedication and attention to detail. You have no influence over the outcome, whether your supervisor likes what you do or not, therefore don’t worry about it.
Related: 15 Easy Ways To Make Today A Happier Day
The task is Tedious, Repetitive, or Arduous, or You Simply Do Not Enjoy Doing It.
When you don’t want to work, here’s how to make yourself do it. Because your brain is programmed to avoid pain and seek benefits at all costs, you won’t be able to persuade yourself to do things by telling yourself, “Next time, I’ll get up early so I can do X.” You wouldn’t wait till tomorrow if you had the willpower to do it in the first place!
I, for one, have a habit of putting off doing the dishes.
I’d use chopsticks if there were no more spoons. There aren’t any more plates? I’m going to use paper plates. My brain, you see, is an expert at persuading me to put off these responsibilities. Your problem task may be different, but your brain helps you create inventive loopholes and skewed rationalizations in the same way.
According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, rewarding yourself for doing something makes it simpler to form a habit. So, to get these pesky duties done, I employ a modified if-then strategy with a reward. For dishwashing, here’s my if-then strategy:
If it’s Monday 11 p.m., I’ll wash the dishes and pans from the night before, then reward myself by watching one episode of Naruto Shippuden.
Because the decision has already been made, this strategy works. So there’s no deliberation or second-guessing when it’s time to do it. It also lessens the strain on your finite willpower.
If it doesn’t work, then…
Make it a Group Activity
Do you recall your college study groups? You certainly didn’t want to prepare for that math exam, but it was made a little easier by hanging out with your buddies. Gym pals and diet groups function for the same reason.
See if there’s a method to do anything you’re attempting to do with pals. If you have a difficult presentation due tomorrow, inquire if any of your coworkers are planning on doing OT as well. While you may be working on different projects, you will not be alone in the office and will have someone to lament with during your coffee breaks.
Related: 9 Ways to Break Through Creative Block and Unlock Your Talent
5) If Steps 1-4 don’t work, try Steps 5–8.
Put on a show for the audience. The threat of being embarrassed in front of your friends, or public betting, is a potent motivation. Consider Ramit Sethi, who stuck to his aim and gained significant muscular mass as a result of a bet he made with his buddies.
Make a promise, come up with punishment if you don’t follow through, and then tag your pals on Facebook. Let’s see whether you’ve got the courage to take a break after that.
Stop Waiting Until You’ve Gathered “Enough” Data.
Richard
This is really a stalling technique! How many times have you claimed, “I know it’s time to start X, but I don’t have enough research yet,” despite having a wealth of material at your disposal?
To be honest, gathering every single piece of information on any subject is impossible. And chances are, you have enough to get started—not everything, but enough to get started and then adjust your course as needed.
If you’re still reluctant, keep in mind that Sir Richard Branson had no prior experience with aviation when he founded Virgin Airlines.
Make Your First Move
You’re wasting your time by postponing. Isn’t it true that we all have those days? In this case, you can persuade yourself to work if you take the first, most insignificant step in the right way. Simply open the page and type one sentence if you have to work on a project. Give yourself permission to take a rest after that. Seriously!
Congratulating yourself for getting started helps motivate you to keep going and reduce the guilt you’re experiencing. Furthermore, because the first step is often the most difficult, making it simple to overcome that obstacle will make the subsequent ones much easier.
Offer Yourself a Bribe
People, money talks! According to a 2009 research by behavioral economist Dr. Gary Charness, offering someone $100 doubles their gym attendance.
Don’t have $100 lying around? Try Pact, an app that collects money from other users and rewards (or punishes) them based on their success. By the way, cheating isn’t possible because the app uses GPS and photos to authenticate your activity.
You can use 21Habit for work-related projects, where you pledge $21 for a 21-day commitment challenge.
Every productive day gets you $1, while every unproductive day donates $1 to one of their charity of choice. This program is ideal for completing random activities and putting off important undertakings, such as starting your own blog, reaching out to a possible mentor, or automating your finances.
Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t push yourself to work. It won’t help since the guilt you’re imposing on yourself will only serve to reinforce your mental picture of a non-performer.
Simply take a deep breath and try each tip one at a time until you start the ball moving. Don’t worry about how far you’ve come. Just keep swimming, as Dory advises.