Force Yourself Into Action To Get Things Done
Sometimes you just have to get something done. Long term projects, tomorrow’s homework, dinner, chores, anything. Almost anyone would agree that these things need to get done eventually. The question is, how do you manage to get them done now? One solution, put yourself in a position where you simply have to complete the task. The idea is a simple one: if the task absolutely has to get done then you’re more likely to actually do it.
More theory and some examples after the jump below.
Take a look at the picture of the bed at the top of this post. This is my actual bed after doing laundry. I used to leave clothes in the laundry basket after they were cleaned. They would sometimes spend days just sitting there getting wrinkled. So I decided to start dumping my clean clothes out onto the bed after bringing them into the room. The idea is that f I want to go to bed at night after doing laundry then I’ll have to put the clothes away. The surprising thing is that it works.
I’ve done the same thing with dishes. I’ll put things, cups especially, where it isn’t the most convenient thing in the world to just go get another one. I’ll also leave dirty dishes out where they can be seen so that I won’t forget about them.
What other ways can you think of to force yourself into action? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Comments
Unfortunately, because I am the QUEEN of procrastination, I would end up taking that pile of clothes on my bed and dumping them in the cleanest corner of my room, or maybe on my desk chair. And what would happen when I needed to sit in my desk chair? I would sit on my clothes.
And if you think I’m being silly, it’s a true story. I HAVE actually sat on clothes on my desk chair because I was too lazy to just put them away.
In my case, a cattle prod would be much more effect for me getting stuff done.
@ Kayleigh: I would cry. Seriously though, I would try my best not to use this where I would seriously mess something up. It’s a mental thing more than anything else.
@ Stasmi: I can be the same way with laundry. Dumping it on the bed works for me because in the cramped dorm space the bed also serves as a couch. If people come over I let them sit on the bed, and that can’t happen if there’s stuff on it. I could move it the way you say you do, but eventually they’ll ask why I haven’t put my clothes away yet. It’s avoidance more than anything else.
What happens if you put yourself in that position, but something comes up and you can’t do it or you get too tired/lazy and don’t do it even though it has to be done?