Time management is not about time. We want to believe it is because it would make it easier to figure out. However, getting up earlier, working faster and being more disciplined… these strategies only work in the short term.
So what is time management about? I’d argue that a HUGE part of it is mindset… believing in ourselves enough to do the things that feel uncomfortable and scary.
We must be willing to take a risk. How much time do you spend worrying about a task? How much time is spent overthinking? What if, instead, you just jumped in and started? Would it save you time?
I’m not talking about jumping out of airplanes! I’m talking about stretching our comfort zone. This too is scary! And most of us avoid it.
While we certainly prefer to have control and wait for the perfect, comfortable situation, we may have to stretch a bit (or a lot) as we get started on new tasks and projects.
If we trust ourselves it’s so much easier to start (and finish)!
Here are some strategies to help you take a risk…
Getting Started Hack #9 – Will the Sky Fall?
Often, when we are procrastinating, it’s because we are waiting for the perfect conditions. The best ideas, the best time, etc. It feels so uncomfortable to start when we don’t feel ready. Stop overthinking, ditch the perfectionism and do it anyway! If you are struggling to get started on a project, ask yourself what the worst possible outcome would be if you were to do the task right away. What will happen if you create the video with less-than-ideal lighting, start cleaning the closet without enough time to finish, or submit the grant with a possible typo? Will the sky fall? Even if you feel uncertain, take a risk and get started.
Getting Started Hack #10 – Go For No!
Like jumping into the deep end of the pool, ‘Go For No’ is a strategy that can feel quite scary. It asks you to push back on that feeling of not being ready to start. Stop worrying and start! After you get going, you’ll likely realize it wasn’t as awful as you thought it would be. It may even feel exhilarating! Take a risk, jump in and expect to get a No. Write until you get a critical comment. Make calls until you have five “no’s”. Everyone receives negative feedback at some point. Can you think of any successful person who didn’t encounter some roadblocks along the way? Believe in yourself! Go For No!
Getting Start Hack # 11: Eat the Frog
I can’t begin to tell you how many people tell me that they fill their time doing the easy stuff, and are frustrated with themselves for not getting started on the more complicated and time consuming tasks… even when they know that completing the hard stuff is what will be most rewarding. It feels uncomfortable, but I encourage you to eat the frog. Choose your hardest, most unpleasant task and do it first. This idea was made popular by Brian Tracy several years ago. When you have checked off your most difficult item on your to do list first thing in the morning, you’ll feel productive for the rest of the day!
Getting Started Hack # 12: Willing vs Wanting
Some tasks are hard. And you may not want to do them. But what are you willing to do? Visualize your end game. Consider your intentions and goals. Think about your values. Believe in yourself and your ability to do hard things! When you shift your mindset from thinking about what you want (or don’t want) to do and start thinking about what you are willing to do to achieve your goals, it will motivate you to get started!
Want some support to shift your mindset and take a risk? I’d love to help! Reach out and schedule a free Discovery Session!
