Have you ever needed to get something done and you just can’t start? Maybe it’s a bill you have to pay or a pile you need to sort through?
Or it’s a blog post you can’t seem to write?
It’s the whole fear thing going on in your head or “I don’t want to face finances right now?” Yet, it’s easy as soon as you get started. It’s the momentum that helps you continue on and complete the task.
It’s hard to get started. To begin.
Instead of reading this post today, go set the timer and work for 15 mins. Just 15 mins.
And come back and share with me what did you do? I’ll do the same and leave my results in the comments.
Now. Go. Do one thing.
Great idea. I tend to start five things and finish none of them. So, I sat down and made a list of what things needed to be finished. Now, I can set about finishing them today instead of forgetting what I should be doing. Thanks for the push!
Hi Peggy,
Me too. I had been putting off blogging but then I realized the whole idea of procrastinating or feeling frozen was a blog post in itself.
I took time to fill in my editorial calendar for my blog just now AND worked on my morning pages which I could blog about too in the future. MP is a journal like system where you frenzy-write whatever is in your head. The process gets you to write, clears your head and sometimes creates great ideas for future articles or blog posts. 🙂
This timer exercise is a good thing.
j
A timer would just make me nervous. The only time I use a clock is when I’m speaking and really do need to keep track of time. Otherwise, a timer won’t make me work, but a to-do list will, a deadline will, something scheduled on the calendar will. But not a timer. I’m interested in seeing what others have to say about this, especially if it works for them. I wonder why or why not…
A timer sometimes helps, but often I find just sitting down and making a list like Peggy did is the biggest help. Of course, keeping that list reasonable is also tricky. If I’ve only got a couple hours, then it’s got to be stuff that can fit in there, for example. But then sometimes, I procrastinate the list…
Oh, I love this idea! For years I was part of a message board where we had a thread for daily 15 min. tidy times. I got so much done when I had a SHORT deadline with SMALL expectations.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder!! I just got the shades in my bedroom and bathroom dusted off (I NEVER do those but they were in front of me and I only had 15 min). Now I feel so much more accomplished!
Thanks– and great to see you!!
Hi dear Kate,
I love “I got so much done when I had a SHORT deadline with SMALL expectations.” That was my point – Sometimes I feel frozen and need to find a way to get the ball rolling again.
j
[…] reminder from a friend – 15 Minutes! By Kate, on July 13th, 2011 My friend Jan Udlock posted yesterday with an encouragement to set at timer and JUST DO IT…to pick a task that can be worked on […]
Great tip! I agree, for me having a long, complicated to-do list is a recipe for paralysis. But I can always do one thing…and then the next thing, and the next.