Episode 14: Conquer your Sh*t list: tackling procrastination head-on!
This episode, we're diving into that familiar struggle we all face: the dreaded to-do list, or as we can affectionately call it, the "sh*t" list and procrastination. You know, those tasks that loom over us, making it hard to even want to start the day. Whether it's chores, work projects, or daunting phone calls, we all have those items we'd rather procrastinate on indefinitely.
So picture this: you wake up, glance at your calendar or to-do list, and immediately hit snooze, not just on your alarm, but on dealing with those dreaded tasks. Instead of diving in, you find yourself putting them off, opting for easier tasks to avoid the discomfort. But what if I told you there's a better way?
Enter the concepts of "eating the frog first" (thanks to Mark Twain) and "eating the elephant one bite at a time." (Desmond Tutu) Eating the frog first means tackling your toughest task first thing in the morning. By getting it out of the way, you clear mental space and set a positive tone for the day. It's like ripping off a Band-Aid—it stings at first, but then you feel a sense of relief and accomplishment, and more dread!
On the other hand, eating the elephant one bite at a time is a helpful way to break down larger projects into smaller, more manageable chunks. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the enormity of the task, you take it step by step, making progress without feeling as overwhelmed.
Take taxes, for example. Instead of waiting until the last minute and enduring endless hours and days of stress, you commit to spending just a small bit of time each month organizing your finances. Another way is scheduling short time blocks (ex. 30 mins) a few times a week leading up to the tax deadline. By tax time, it's not such a huge burden, and you're spared the agony of a tax season meltdown, or lets say spares you endless hours of misery all at once.
Similarly, when faced with uncomfortable conversations or challenging decisions, tackling them head-on can be liberating. Whether it's giving notice at work or setting boundaries in relationships, addressing the issue promptly saves you from endless worry and stress. Plus, once you've faced the tough stuff, you'll feel lighter, more focused, and ready to tackle anything the day throws your way.
So, if you're tired of feeling weighed down by your sh*t list, why not try a new approach? Whether you're eating the frog first or eating the elephant one bite at a time, freeing yourself from procrastination is empowering and liberating. So go ahead, seize the day, and get that sh*t done!
“If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” It's a concept often attributed to the 19th-century author Mark Twain, according to many online sources.
Desmond Tutu once said that “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” What he meant by this is that many things in life that seem daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking one little step at a time.
If you are looking to dive deeper or looking for more one-on-one guidance with getting clarity on your next small step or how to start with eating that frog first to create a life that is designed to experience more joy and pleasure. You can schedule time here-Clarity Call- One on One appt
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