One Practical Tip for Overcoming “I Don’t Feel Like Doing This Today”

Wouldn’t it be splendid if one productivity hack could magically make us masters of time management?

So we would never utter words like:

I don’t feel like doing this today!

If that’s true, we wouldn’t see so many productivity hacks, nor would we be alluded to them.

The thing is, we’re all different.

What I might find most effective can be plain lame for you, and vice versa.

Unless we try, though, we won’t know.

Who knows.

The next random trick turns out to be your best productivity hack.

The most important thing is to stay open-minded, try something new at least once, and see what sticks and ultimately boosts your productivity in your daily life.

If you’re like me, though, you might find a once excellent trick doesn’t always bring the same result.

I don’t know why our minds have to be so fickle.

But it is what it is.

It seems we need a different stimulus every so often.

For example, I love the 3-Minute Rule.

It lets me park my lazy behind in my worn-out chair. Once I sit down, the rest is like sailing. Gain momentum, and off you go.

But today, the 3-Minute Rule confronts me with an ultra resistance that I didn’t see coming.

It’s a tad annoying, but I had to let it be and implement some other tactic. Otherwise, it’s going to be a losing battle.

So here it comes.

Trick Myself Into Fear

I scared myself into doing it today.

I remember Tim Ferriss mention:

If someone points a gun at your head, you have 2 hours to write this, what would you do?

That’s essentially what I’m talking about.

Except for when I say that, my inner voice laughs at me with “riiiight-o, go ahead.” She sits tight in the distance, watching me, her shoulders moving up and down with a stifled laughter.

Or it could be a sneer.

I realised this scaring thing had to be realistic.

But my god, don’t tempt fate when you try it.

Stuff like:

If I don’t finish this today, my brother-in-law will cheat on my sister.

No, no, no.

Just no.

Nothing is THAT important to bet on your loved one’s misery!

Create a Realistic Fear

The thing that scares us has to be realistic.

Otherwise, your inner voice (yep, remember that sassy one?) will automatically retort, “Are you real?” “Riiight,” and go right back to ignoring you.

How about this?

If I don’t publish a blog post today, my blog traffic will fall by 50%.

If I don’t run today, I’ll gain an extra 18 pounds by the end of the month.

Let’s finish this book today. Otherwise, my boss will be on my case every day this week.

What If It doesn’t Work

If you expect me to tell you:

That’s okay. Tomorrow is another day…

Sorry.

No matter what I tell you, you’re the one who will have to face YOU and feel lousy for not getting one thing done when you go to bed.

Even on a day when nothing seems to work, we’ve got to get at least one thing done that moves us towards our goals.

Go out and take a walk or run.

Do anything and come back to finish one thing.

Sometimes, all we need is fresh air and one giant push with renewed energy.

For now, forget everything else on your to-do list that you started this morning.

Finish one thing and call it a day.

Even if you produce mediocre work, it’s done (yay!).

Final Thoughts

If you postpone your one task to the next day, you continue to strengthen the I’ll-do-it-tomorrow muscle.

That means there’s a slim chance of overcoming the “I don’t feel like doing this today” dilemma.

Even if you produce mediocre work or results, make a habit of finishing them.

I find that scaring myself into getting things done does its job brilliantly.

It all comes down to how strongly you feel about the consequences.

Aim for a scary, strong, dreadful, and realistic consequence that makes you shiver and want to do everything in your power to avoid it happening.

You’ll find the whole thing scary and fun!

Bonus: Awesome Hilarious TED Talk about Procrastination

Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator | TED