It’s ironic how many hours are lost in the quest to maximize our time. Clients often tell me they don’t get anything done because they are paralyzed, wondering, “Is this the best use of my time?”
They have an inclination of something they could be doing, but they question whether they “should” be doing something better.
Consider the following dilemma:
In the next 2 days, I have to submit an article to my editor, prepare for houseguests, and make a routine vet appointment for my cat. I’m feeling lethargic, but I realize I could make that vet appointment without expending too much energy. But really, that article is very important and I know how awful I feel when I’m self-conscious about my house, so those things are the higher priorities. If I’m going to do something, it should be a higher priority item. Right? How can I waste time on a simple phone call, when much more important tasks beckon?
The dilemma feels so heavy. I tell myself if I’m going to do something, it will darn well be the most important thing. I’m just going to sit here until I have the willpower to do that most important thing. I can’t justify doing anything else.
Does this sound familiar?
I’m falling into the same trap as so many of my clients. If I can’t do the best thing, there is no value in doing anything else. So here’s my advice.
When you’re having trouble doing anything, just do something.
Inertia is often our biggest obstacle. Anything we can do to transition from a body at rest to a body in motion is a good thing. Motivation often follows action. If we start with that one thing that just seems doable, even if it’s not the “best” use of our time, it often primes us to go on to better things. And even when it doesn’t, at least we are getting something done. We’re developing a habit of doing instead of not doing.