Tackle the Task Monster

Ending Procrastination

By Allison Carter

We often put off doing what is important to us because it is too boring, to difficult, to tedious, too overwhelming, and too difficult to think about.
We also put off doing things because we can’t figure out how to do it, we don’t have all the supplies, and we fear we will not be successful.

How can you jump through these psychological hoops?

• Tear the Task Monster limb from limb - Draw a picture of a scary monster (neatness is prohibited - let out your inner or outer child)
Write down one task on every arm, leg, horn, ear, fang, etc.
Every time you do one task, tear it off the Task Monster.

 

• De-Awfulizing – Think of the worst thing that would truly happen if you
did a so-so, or bad job. Usually it isn’t as bad as we fear.

• Breaking up isn't hard to do - When you're overwhelmed, make a list, a mind map or use sticky notes to break down a large, intimidating project into smaller, bite-size
parts. Once you have that, attack just one part at a time. Start small and
work your way up to bigger projects.

• Spark it up – If organizing is boring to you, add some sparklers to an otherwise hum-drum task.
Think of a fabulous song that always makes you dance around your room and play it while you work.
Bring color into organizing with bright folders, colored pens, even funky paper clips.

• A little help from my friends – If it feels too difficult to do alone, enlist help from friends, relatives or a professional. No one is an expert at everything. Do what you do well and get help where you need it.

• Start making sense – If you don't know how to do what needs to get done, look onlie for hints or call in an expert to show you the way. You may be
able to do it yourself with a little guidance.

• Get in the YES ZONE – Can you stand on one foot for 5 minutes?
If you can, then you can do just about anything for 5 minutes... If you have the right mindset - that is called being in the YES zone.
Pick a long song (Bohemian Rhapsody perhaps) and work on your organizing for as long as the song plays.
You can
keep going when it ends, but if you just do that little bit each day, you’ll
get quite a bit done.

• Don’t know where to begin? Call a professional organizer to get you going!

Now put on your Nike’s to remind you to "Just do it"… and go get organized!!

©2008 The Professional Organizer