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It’s easy to do things you’re excited about. But how do you get motivated to do something you really don’t want to do? This is especially important when it’s something you really don’t want to do, but you HAVE to do it eventually.
We all know that there are fun things and not-so-fun things in this adulting life. Some things require hard work or take up a lot of brain space. Some things are just tedious and dumb, and we don’t want to do them. But what if they must be done and you really want the results…but you’re not looking forward to the process?
How do you get motivated to clean out your bedroom closet or inventory your pantry? How do you motivate yourself to sit down and do tax prep or fill out that long application for something you really want? We have some easy steps that work no matter how much you dread doing something that really needs to be done. Unraveling The Truth: 8 Big and Common Myths About Motivation
Find Your “Why” To Do Something You Really Don’t Want To Do.
It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. When you don’t want to do something and you don’t see the benefit of whether it gets done or not, SKIP IT. You don’t have to alphabetize your canned goods or detail your car with a toothbrush if that has no value to you.
But what about the things that you don’t like to do, but you love the results? It could be daily chores, such as cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry. Yep, don’t like the chore but love the result. It could be the same with projects like cleaning the garage, creating
a spreadsheet for your taxes, or staining the deck. You probably don’t look forward to renewing your driver’s license, but love knowing you’re legal if you get pulled over.
We human beings are resilient. We can do almost anything as long as we know why we are doing it and how long we have to do it for. Get very clear on your “WHY” or you will keep procrastinating or start and not finish. Both of those are frustrating and open us up to being mad at ourselves.
So, make your list of the things you want to do. Right next to that item on your list, write your “WHY.” This is your reward for doing it.
Examples:
- Clean the kitchen, because I love waking up to a clean kitchen.
- Fold the laundry instead of letting it sit in the dryer because I hate to go to work in wrinkled clothes.
- Stain the deck because it will look great and protect the expensive wood I used.
- Get started on the taxes because it doesn’t feel good to be under the gun at the end of March. It also feels great to hear people talk about stressing over getting taxes together, and I have mine completed.
- Make that Excel sheet because it’s going to save you so much time to be able to see everything at a glance instead of looking things up all the time.
- Get started on that application, because if accepted, it’s going to be life-changing.
Remember Your “Why” To Do Something You Really Don’t Want To Do.
Finding your “WHY” is essential. But remembering it is equally important. Check in and check in often. Remind yourself what you are doing and why you are doing it. Also, set up a timeline so that you can remind yourself that this “WHY” isn’t forever.
It’s easy to lose sight of what your original intention was and why you thought it mattered in the first place. It’s also easy for your 7-year-old internal self to feel like you will be painting the fence…forever. Whatever is on your list is gonna take hours, days, weeks, or months, but it’s not going to take forever.
Remembering how much you want the results will motivate you to push forward when you start to feel tired, bored, or both. Keep in mind, there is a carrot at the end of this “something you don’t really want to do” stick. That carrot is feeling great with the results. Unraveling The Truth: 8 Big and Common Myths About Motivation
Make Something You Don’t Really Want To Do As Easy As Possible.
The best way to approach something that feels challenging is to find as many ways as you can to make it easy. This could show up in several ways. Some examples would be:
- Block out time for your project or chore instead of saving it until the last minute or trying to fit it in between other stuff.
- Get all of your supplies ahead of time. If you created time to stain the deck but don’t have what you need to do it, you’re kind of stuck. Gather what you need and have it laid out and ready to go.
- If you plan to do your taxes on Friday, start clearing a space to work and gathering receipts and statements the night before.
- If there is prep work, do it ahead of time as well. If your project is to paint the dining room on Saturday, get everything you need from the hardware store on Wednesday. Then patch the walls, tape off the windows, and lay out your drop clothes the night before. On Saturday morning, you’ll be ready to go, and everything will unfold faster than you think.
Know Yourself And Where Your Super Power Is To Do Something You Really Don’t Want To Do.
There are two main ways to approach something you really don’t want to do, and only you know which one is best. It’s like getting into a swimming pool that you know is gonna be cold and not fun at first. One group of people will start at the stairs, slowly lowering themselves into the water. Their plan is to take it a little at a time and get used to it as they go. Unraveling The Truth: 8 Big and Common Myths About Motivation
The second group of people will walk down to the deep end (preferably with a diving board), hold their nose, and…just do it! Their plan is to take the plunge, get it over with, and get on with the day.
Which One Are You?
Are you the “best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time” or are you the “let me just jump in and get this done before I change my mind” person? Once you know what your superpower of action is, you can plan your approach.
Another thing to consider about yourself is whether you prefer to start with the hard part or the easy part. Some people need to do the easy stuff first to ease them into the project. Then they are ready for the hard stuff.
Other people need to do the hard stuff first, while they are fresh and motivated, and do the easy stuff when they are getting tired or bored with it all. Only you know which one you are. Regardless, do it the easiest way for you. There are no bonus points for making anything more difficult than it has to be.
Savor The Results And Reward Yourself When You Do Something You Really Don’t Want To Do ( Hint: it will make it easier for you next time).
Yes, it’s all about the journey, but the results can also be a significant reward. Whatever the result when you do something you really don’t want to do… stop…right then and savor it. How good does it feel to have your taxes done when everyone else is face-planting into April 15?
How awesome is it when someone mentions exercising, and you did your workout first thing this morning? Sit on the couch and savor the essence of a clean house. Go out and take a moment to admire that organized garage with a sense of pride and achievement. Savor it! Swim in it! Wash your hair in the incredible feeling of accomplishment and results.
Then reward yourself. It can be a small reward or a big reward. Dinner out because the kitchen is polished, and who would want to mess that up? How about a new car now that you have a place to put it in the garage? You deserve a reward. The incredible feeling of the result and the reward will make you want to do something you don’t really want to do again…and again.
You’ve Got This!
These steps will get you well on your way to getting things done. This is one of our favorite books on that subject if you want to take a deeper dive. Click here to get your copy, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Regardless we know you can handle all the adulting you need to handle and we also know without a doubt that “You’ve Got This!”
Pixi-Pebbles for Doing Something You Don’t Really Want To Do.
We’ve used these little Pixi-Pebbles to move ourselves from a feeling we’re not enjoying very much…to a feeling that helps us discover our vision of intention, awareness, and direction.
They lead us to hope, possibilities, and a fire under our butt to live life by design instead of default.
In our blog, How To Get Motivated To Do Something You Really Don’t Want To Do, here is a Pixi-Pebble that came to mind…
Just a little inspiration to get you from here to there
Sometimes connecting with motivation to do something you don’t really want to do can be as easy as listening to a song.
Here is one of our favorites when we need something upbeat to get us moving… Click here to check out Jelly Roll Run It.
