Tackle a lingering task today and feel accomplished whether you finish it or not

It’s been a long week, and you’re looking at the list of things you wanted to get done this week.

In the unlikely case that you got everything done, congratulations!

However, even if you had a super productive week, there’s probably still a lingering task on your list. A task that doesn’t have anything scary about it, but you feel a resistance to doing it. You feel a sense of anxiety at just the thought of doing it and you don’t know why. There is something about it that is stopping you from doing it and getting it out the way.

I know you don’t want to do the task, but what I’m going to suggest will reduce the anxiety, give you momentum, and hack yourself into doing the task and feeling accomplished. And I don’t think it’s what you are expecting.

The approach doesn’t focus on the task, but on time.

Take that task, set a timer for 30 minutes, and spend the 30 minutes on only that task. Importantly, have no expectations. It doesn’t matter how much of the task you get done, just do whatever you can for the 30 minutes.

As a result, what you can be sure of is after the 30 minute timer ends, you are 30 minutes closer to your goal of finishing the task. You are closer than you were if you hadn’t given the task that time it deserved, and that’s something you have achieved.

And to let you know, because the task is usually something small or harmless, I often actually finish the task and tick it off. Winning! But that’s just a bonus. Just doing 30 minutes on the task is something you can tick off. And something to feel proud of.

What you can do today:

• Pick a task in your to-do list you don’t want to do, but want to be done.
• Set a timer for 30 minutes (most smartphones come with a timer app you can use).
• Work on only that task for 30 minutes.
• Feel a sense of accomplishment, because you did 30 minutes of work on a task that you didn’t think you had the strength or willpower to do! 🙂
• Bonus tip: Put on some really nice music during the 30 minutes to give you a boost of energy, and make it fun.

Completing tasks, or making progress on tasks, that usually linger in your to-do list is a great way to clear up some mental headspace.

It’s only 30 minutes away!