Sometimes it is difficult to make yourself start doing something important, but unpleasant. Instead, the brain starts grabbing on to any other stuff, often less important and sometimes useless.
The longer an important case is put off, the harder it is to start, the more the brain starts looking for loopholes to dodge it.
Perhaps right now you are reading in search of an interesting article because you can not force yourself to do business.
If this has ever happened to you, the first thing you need to understand is that it's not your fault. It's just the way the human brain works - it avoids threats, and it seems complex or unpleasant work as a threat.
Right now, forget that you used to waste time like that. Below I will describe 3 simple steps that will help to cope with even the most repulsive task.
How to fight procrastination
Step 1: Formulation of the result
First, you have to understand what you have to do and why you have to do it. Maybe you don't need to do it at all. In this case, just write down the task on paper, cross it out and forget about it forever, it is no longer worth your attention.
If the task still needs to be completed, then formulate such a result, reaching which you could confidently say that the task is fully completed. For example: "The product page is adjusted in all browsers. I contacted the designer and together we polished it. After that, the art director accepted it.
It will be very useful not to say the result mentally, but to write it down on a piece of paper.
Imagine: how will you feel when the task is completed?
Step 2: Where to start
What is the least simple action that would allow you to make even a little progress in achieving the result?
Simplify the mini-task until it stops causing you to reject it, but it will help you to make a little progress towards your goal.
For example: "Open the editor, mark the grid structure for the product page.
Step 3: Give this task only 25 minutes
After you have formulated what you need to do first, turn on a timer for 25 minutes and start working on this mini-task.
The task is simple, you won't even have to finish it. Just do it for 25 minutes without a break until the timer rings. There is no more reason to postpone this work even for a minute. You'll get it all!
When the timer rings, you will find that the task that seemed to you invincible, moved from place to place and now it does not seem so terrible. To work on it further or not, it's up to you to decide. The main thing is that you will disappear internal resistance and fear of it, so it will be much easier to cope with the task.
To automate the process of fighting against prokrastinatsiya, I have created a Turboknap button. But you don't have to use it, you can do the same with a sheet of paper, a pen, and any timer.
Successes and great achievements!
UPD: Answers to questions from comments
What if the need to make a plan already causes rejection?
The article does not say a word about the plan. You do not need to make it. All you need to do is understand what you want to get out of it, and come up with a simple action that will allow you to move on. It is pointless to plan everything 10 steps forward at this stage. This will only inflate the task in your eyes and increase your resistance to it.
If, however, making a plan is your task, then just simplify it. For example, start by taking a piece of paper and writing down 3 of any points that you have in your head.
The main thing is not to think of this mini-task as a plan. Your mini-task is to start the timer for 25 minutes, take a pen, a sheet of paper and just write a few lines out of your head.
I consider Pomodoro a convenient methodology. But the Turboknow button is not its full implementation. So if the button helps you, it makes sense to get acquainted with Pomodoro. To do this, you need to read the book (it can be downloaded for free, but it is in English) and it is desirable to buy a classic Pomodoro timer. It ticks loudly enough, but sometimes it even helps to concentrate.
Since we're talking about time, I think it's a good idea to give a link to a small review of timekeeping programs.
This article isn't about time, planning, or tadu-lists. It is about overcoming resistance to unpleasant things.
If you have an important task that you are postponing, avoiding it under any pretext, trying to plan it can lead to your brain being even more afraid of it. After all, apart from the fact that the task itself is unpleasant, so now it has also increased - added planning.
The task should not be increased but reduced. Take up its small piece, which will not cause you to reject it. Making it, you will feel a surge of strength and cope with the task will be much easier.
