Just one thing

Hi all!

How are things? Getting lots done? Feeling productive? If not that’s ok, I’m here to help.  This is the second post in my Procrastination and overwhelm series.  If you are having problems keeping up or getting started I’m here to talk to you about coping mechanisms that can help you get started.

It’s the worst when you are sitting on your couch and you are looking around at all the things you need to do.  It can be really, really overwhelming and feel kinda horrible.  When I’m feeling like this I have to force myself to do just one thing.  What is one thing you can do that is going to take 10 minutes?  Maybe instead of saying you are going to wash the huge pile of dishes you could tell yourself that you will just scrape off the plates, tidy up the counters and get the dishes ready to go.  This is a great strategy because you are setting a small enough task for yourself that you can force yourself to do it and feel accomplished!  Most of the time you’ll likely even do more than what you started out doing.  If you are feeling good after stacking the dishes you could set a second small task of washing as many dishes as you can in 10 min.  Then after that maybe you are feeling like you may as well get them all done since you are already elbow deep in dish water.  BUT if all you do is stack the dishes and get them ready to go that is still a huge win!! It’s more than you would have done sitting on the couch thinking about it.

This can work for any overwhelming task, whether it’s work, school or home.  Just start with a clear goal you can achieve in 10 minutes.

Thinking about this strategy reminds me of working out.  There have been times I’ve gone to the gym and came home feeling crappy about how small of a work out I did.  My husband will be quick to remind me that it’s a better workout than I would have done watching tv at home.  And it’s so true!! Any workout is better than no workout.

Let me know what small thing you did this week that helped you feel less overwhelmed!