Even if you don’t usually have problems with motivation, there are probably tasks that you really don’t want to do. Maybe because they are boring, or pointless, or take too much time and effort. How to force yourself to take them on?
I’ll start with the main thing: understand that motivation is not associated with any special feelings. You don’t have to be excited or excited to take on a task. Motivation is what makes us get to work. Most often, this is a fairly convincing answer to the question “why?”.
For example, you decide to do something because it is:
- help you deal with anxiety
- gives you a bonus
- bring you money
- will avoid unpleasant consequences,
- will raise your self-esteem.
It might sound like this:
“Yes, I don’t want to do _______. But if I do, I will receive a financial reward, I will show myself well and I will be pleased with myself.
“I don’t want to be taken for __________. But, if I do ________, the manager will be pleased, and I won’t be so nervous about the upcoming meeting with him.
“I don’t want to do _________. But if I do it now, I won’t have to worry about _______, and next week I can do _______.”
It is important to outline a strategy for moving towards the goal: when enthusiasm is at zero, you cannot do without it
Even if the task itself does not motivate us too much, we can find reasons to complete it.
The next step is to sketch out a strategy for moving towards the goal (when enthusiasm is at zero, you cannot do without it). It will depend on the task itself and how you are used to working. Keep a list of these strategies handy and use as needed.
Strategy #1. Involve other people. Sometimes a little social pressure is all we need to get moving. You can interact in different ways: delegate some of your responsibilities, team up to complete a task, share responsibility, or simply surround yourself with those who work – for example, do not stay at home if you are a freelancer, but go to a coworking place.
Strategy #2. Change the way you work. This can give you the right push, the impetus to take action. Here’s what you can do:
- First, do the tasks that you encounter less often. For example, I do not allow myself to go to the mail and answer letters until I have completed the expense report.
- Set an exact day and time for the task to be completed. On Fridays from 14:00 pm to 15:00 pm, I make a plan for the next week and do not allow myself to be distracted or neglect this task.
- Limit the time it takes to complete a task—for example, dedicate 10, 30, or 60 minutes to it each day.
- Lower the bar – for example, allow yourself to move in small steps.
- Put all other things aside and dedicate a day to “finishing off” the task and not thinking about it again.
Strategy number 3. Combine an unpleasant task with something enjoyableto maintain an overall positive attitude. For example, you can do difficult or unpleasant work in a place that you like – in your favorite cafe or even in the park, weather permitting. You can combine tasks: for example, listening to music or a podcast, sorting through work papers or putting things in order on the table. And do not forget about physical activity: I, for example, rehearse performances while walking. I must look funny, but I manage to do two things at a time.
Of course, none of these strategies guarantee instant or XNUMX% success, but at least this way you will take the first step. And this, as you know, is the most difficult.
About the Author: Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time management coach and consultant.