What to do when you don’t want to do what needs to be done
It happens to all of us. There is a task that for some reason we just REALLY REALLY don’t want to do. Maybe it is your laundry. Maybe it’s your phone calls. For me today it is writing this article. You see, I’m getting ahead on my writing so that I don’t miss weekly emails when I am moving. So technically I could put this off. And this is my third article this morning, so it’s not really as fun as usual. And my husband is home today so I would really rather strike up an impromptu lunch date. I’m sure I am not the only one that goes through these conversations in their mind. But here I am writing this article anyway! Here’s some tips for how to “Suck it up and do it anyway!”
1. Eat the Frogs First
We all have things on our to do list that are less fun than others. Do those ones first. Otherwise you end up putting them off for the entire day and sometimes multiple days in a row. And it FEELs sooo much better when it is just done! You can cross it off of your list and all of the mental capacity that was going towards it is now free!
2. Give yourself accountability
If I ever don’t want to do something, I tell someone else I am going to get it done. I SHOULD have higher levels of accountability to myself than anyone else. But I am human. So instead I post it on one of my business groups. Or I call a friend. Or I promise someone on my team they will get it done. (Thanks Sarah, I am writing this because of you!)
3. This isn’t the time for perfection
I may not write the most earth shattering article today. It may not be my best effort ever. But it is getting done and that is enough. Done is better than perfect. And sometimes in the midst of doing the project, your excitement will kick in and it will turn out to be amazing. (Is anyone amazed by this article yet?)
4. Celebrate!
Humans are motivated by rewards. When you are the business owner, you often times forget to reward yourself or celebrate your accomplishments. When I was younger I always rewarded myself with treats when I did the thing that I didn’t want to do. 5 kids later and mid 30’s that no longer works for me! But I still come up with creative ways to motivate and reward myself. The game I am playing today is that every time I finish a task I didn’t want to do, I get to do one of my fun tasks. Pretty glamorous right? Not really, but it’s working for me! Find what works for you!
I don’t care if you want to do it! I do care that you get done those necessary tasks that will propel you to success. So, “Suck it up, and do it anyway!”