How to get things done when you don’t feel like it...

We all have days where you just can’t seem to find your motivation... everything seems like an uphill battle and even the simplest tasks can feel like the toughest mountains to climb. Whether it’s an important task at work that needs your attention, an overwhelming number of chores or a never-ending personal admin list, getting things ticked off can often be a challenge. On days like this, it’s easy to feel stuck, frustrated and defeated. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to throw in the towel and return to bed as deadlines loom, chores pile up and sometimes despite our lack of motivation we have to push through. So here’s how you are going to get things done... especially when you don’t feel like it.  

 

1. Write It Down  

Why: Often things feel more overwhelming when you try have everything stored in your head... This is when it’s time to create your own head plan by writing it down. When your master to-do list is circling around in your head it can feel like there’s no way out, you have a million and one things you want to get done but can’t bring yourself to start because you don’t even know where to begin.  

How? Take The Head Plan Agenda and open the list section, begin to brain-dump onto the page, get everything out of your head and onto the page in front of you. This will make your tasks more manageable and easier to tackle as you can begin to sort them out. Don’t worry about the order just yet, this will follow. Just get everything out of your head and write it down!  

 

2. Prioritise

Why? A lot of the time we put ourselves under pressure for no reason. There are many things we want to do, but few are actually essential and will propel you forward towards success. Prioritising your tasks will help you allocate your time effectively, ensuring you focus on the things that actually matter and will expose you to new realms. I guarantee, when you are finished sorting through your to-do list, you will have crossed out many things that actually won’t move the needle. This will prevent you from wasting time on low-impact tasks and reduces the likelihood of the more important to-dos falling through the cracks and getting deprioritised.   

How? Review your goals in your Head Plan Journal and begin to sort out your priorities in line with this. How do these tasks fit in with your long-term, short-term and weekly goals? Are they going to take you where you want to be or are they simply fillers that will waste your time and warrant no reward? Be honest with yourself and start marking the tasks that will have an impact on your future and take the first steps to make it happen. Review your list and determine which will have the greatest impact in relation to your goals.   

 

3. Break It Down

Why? Big tasks which you know will take a few hours to complete often feel daunting, which leads to procrastination. Breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps is a powerful way to make it seem less daunting and less overwhelming. This makes it easier to carve your path and understand how you are going to make it happen. Each small step you complete builds momentum, making it easier to tackle the next step.  

How? Take a high-priority task on your list and evaluate how long it will truly take you. When you plan your week in The Head Plan Agenda, schedule dedicated time to this task. For example, if you have an important presentation impending in work you might choose to break this down into research, brain dump, outline, write content, design presentation and so on. Schedule each of these tasks into you weekly plan in your agenda, making the mammoth task feel manageable.  

 

4. 5-Second Rule  

Why? Sometimes, even when you have broken down your tasks into an action plan, getting started can be the most difficult part and may often feel like a monumental task. This is where the 5-second rule comes into play as a simple, yet important task to push you towards action. This leverages the moment just before you begin to think of excuses to put off the task at hand. This is rooted in cognitive psychology and is designed to disrupt your habit of overthinking, making it easier to just start.  

How? When you know it’s time to begin your task, begin by counting down from 5 and once you hit 0 immediately get up and move. Don’t give your brain time to talk yourself out of this, whether it is beginning the work task you have been procrastinating, starting your chores or simply getting dressed in the morning make the very first move towards beginning this task. Once you have moved your position, such as getting out of bed to get dressed or opening your laptop, you have removed the time in which your brain might begin to talk you out of it.  

 

5. Visualise The Outcome

Why? When you’re lacking motivation, it can be helpful to think of the end result and how you will feel rather than the steps required to get there. Hold onto your vision as you make it happen! Visualisation is a powerful technique that allows you to mentally rehearse the completion of a task, increasing your motivation to start by tapping into your brain’s natural tendencies to be motivated by rewards. This mental shift from focusing on the difficulty of the task at hand to the benefits of the completion can reduce any resistance of starting and provide you with the motivation to begin.  

How? When you feel yourself procrastinating a task, take a few moments to close your eyes and visualise the positive connotations associated of completing it. Visualise yourself feeling relieved, satisfied and proud of finishing the task and visualise the moment you finally tick it off your list. How do you feel? How does this keep you on track for your big goal, working towards your main vision? Picture how much more in control and at ease you will feel, knowing you’ve turned your big daunting task into an actionable plan. Let this energy propel you towards taking the first step.  

 

 

 6. 2-Minute Strategy 

Why? Starting will always be the hardest part. The 2-Minute Strategy states that “when you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.” You’ll find that nearly every habit can be completed in just two minutes. Read a book becomes read a page, writing a document becomes writing the introductory paragraph and emptying the dishwasher becomes unloading the cutlery. The science behind this is that once you start, it becomes easier to continue... surely you can complete your task for just two minutes? The point is to master the habit of showing up, a habit must be established before it can be improved. 

How? Master the habit of showing up by making two-minutes part of a larger routine. The more you ritualise the starting process, the more likely you are to slip into deep focus and continue with your work. If you are procrastinating starting a presentation for work, open a blank document and commit to writing the first sentence. Then, turn this into the first paragraph and before you know it time will have passed and you will find yourself naturally moving towards the completion for your task.

  

 7. Fuel Yourself

Why? Understand that the fuel you choose to put in your body has a direct outcome on your work. Sugary snacks with low nutritional value will often leave you feeling low vibe, sluggish and fatigued... how could anyone be expected to have a surge of motivation to complete their tasks if they feel like this? On the contrary, when you are fuelling your body with fresh, healthy wholefoods you will begin to experience increased energy and motivation.  

How? Every week, using The Head Plan Nourish, plan out your meals in accordance to your week. For example, if you have an extra busy day on a Thursday, understand you might need to meal prep for this day to ensure you are choosing options that make you feel good, rather than grab and go options that will inevitably leave you feeling sluggish. Ensure you carry your Daily Drench with you throughout the day so you can continually sip away and remain super hydrated!  

 

Motivation isn’t always easy to come by and is something most people struggle with on a daily basis. Although some days the easier option feels like staying in bed and ignoring your responsiblities, that isn’t realistic most of the time and we still need to show up. On days when you need to increase your productivity and get things done, follow these strategies to propel you towards success. On days like this, rely on your discipline and remember your future self will thank you.  

Everything you have ever wanted is within you. Even on your most challenging days, the power is within you to keep moving forward. Remember, every step you take no matter how big or small is one step closer to achieving your goals... Show up as your highest self as you...