Sometimes taking that first step toward something is the hardest thing in the world to do.
When your timer goes off, immediately reset the timer for 20 minutes then stand up and go to wherever you need to be to begin work on the project you've been ignoring.
Takeaway Truth
I'm sure there's a psychological/physiological reason for why this works. I've never researched it. I just know that tricking the brain this way works. Try it and let me know if it works for you.
I know when I came back from my brother's farm in January, I was not excited about doing anything but sleeping. The problem is when I woke up each morning, I was still tired.
I had a book to write, and no energy to tackle it. The last thing I wanted to do was sit in front of the keyboard for hours on end. It's easier to binge-watch something on Prime or Netflix.
It's so much easier to say, I'll double up tomorrow. Unfortunately, tomorrow the same lack of motivation may exist. Before you know it, you find yourself in deep kimchee and realize there's no possible way to catch up.
Over the years, I've developed a magic formula for dealing with that lack of motivation. I call it the...
20 Minute Rule.
Set a timer on your cell phone (or your stove, watch, etc.) for 20 minutes.
When your timer goes off, immediately reset the timer for 20 minutes then stand up and go to wherever you need to be to begin work on the project you've been ignoring.
When your 20 minutes of working on your project is up, reset your timer and go goof off or do whatever floats your boat.
When that 20 minute timer goes off, return to the important project and reset the timer for 20 minutes.
Continue cycling through 20 minutes of work and 20 minutes of whatever until you find yourself working away and turning the timer off so it doesn't disturb you. When that happens, it means you've conquered procrastination.
Keep Working Away
Rarely do I need to reset the timer more than twice before I'm settled into the writing habit.
When that happens, I change timers this way.
An hour for writing, at the end of which, I set a 10 minute timer because it's good for me to get up, stretch, and walk around for 10 minutes.
Then I reset my timer for an hour more of writing. This 60 minutes of writing and 10 minutes of movement is perfect for me because my brain is engaged which carries me through the 10 minutes of being away from my computer.
Takeaway Truth
I'm sure there's a psychological/physiological reason for why this works. I've never researched it. I just know that tricking the brain this way works. Try it and let me know if it works for you.
When I retired, I said that before I went to my office, I would do 15 minutes of housework--because I hate it. Eleven years later, I'm still doing that 15 minutes. Make no mistake, it's not enough to keep me up, but it IS how the dishwasher gets emptied, laundry gets done, and I occasionally locate the countertops. I love the whole timer concept!
ReplyDeleteSee, you already know how to use my method. Count me as a me too when it comes to hating housework. The only reason my house doesn't look as if it needs to be mucked out like a barn is because I hate a dirty, cluttered house even more!
DeleteI think this is brilliant and I'll give it a try. anyone can do 20 minutes of something, right?
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Bonnie. Yes, that was my thinking. A timer makes me get up off my lazy butt and take that first step. Works every time. Let me know if it works for you.
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