20% of people struggle to get started on the things that would improve their lives. Even though avoiding their goals can cause sleep problems and stomach issues.
Furthermore, it may cost them their job or damage their relationships. Obviously, it isn’t worth it.
Quit allowing the minutes to slip by and start grabbing them. Use this precious time to work on what’s actually significant to you—your life goals.
You weren’t born like this, so you don’t have to deal with procrastination forever. It’s a habit. Therefore, you can change it.
Why is it so hard to get started on things?
There are lots of reasons people don’t get started, for example:
- You don’t believe you can do it well.
- It’s intimidating and grueling work.
- You don’t see the value in it.
- The benefits aren’t immediate.
- You don’t want to fail.
If you can’t get to work on a task, you’ll end up doing something more enjoyable instead.
You can thank your subconscious for that. It wants you to avoid all pain and stay in your comfort zone scrolling through your phone forever.
However, you can’t move up in the world by doing that. You’ve got to work towards your life goals at some point, and there’s no time like the present!
These tips will help you to stop wasting time and get started on your goals:
1. Decide what goal you want to get started
First, you need to decide what goal is most meaningful to you. You can’t try to achieve 37 goals at the same time.
So choose the one that you always think about and commit to it.
Otherwise, you’ll scatter your focus everywhere, and as a result, you won’t do anything very well.
Also, make sure it’s realistic. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Focus on one thing at a time, and you can create something astounding!
2. Get started by writing down everything you need to do
If your project is overwhelming just from thinking about it, then shatter it into small pieces.
After that, work on these tiny pieces one at a time.
After finishing each task, you’ll fuel yourself with confidence and overflow with the motivation to keep going.
3. Revamp your schedule and allow it to guide your actions
If you’re working like a crazy person late into the night every week, you need to redesign how you’ve scheduled your time.
Take your list of everything that needs done and spread the tasks throughout the week.
Group similar items and eliminate the ones that aren’t benefiting you as much as you thought they would.
Put these steps in your online calendar so you receive notifications that tell you when to start them. Then just do a few tasks every weekday, and your stress will vanish.
When you know what to do and when to do it, things are much more effortless!
4. Get started by setting yourself up to succeed
Put your phone on silent and in another room, so you don’t get distracted by social media, texts, or phone calls.
Also, turn off email notifications on your computer. If there is anything else that might interrupt you, make sure it doesn’t happen. Let those you live with know that you’re going to be busy.
Give yourself the best chance you can to accomplish the things you always wanted to do. That means you need time alone to focus.
5. Trick yourself into wanting to get started
Believe it or not, you can get started even when you don’t want to.
You don’t have to wait till inspiration strikes. In fact, you can begin regardless of how you feel. Often, this is what needs to happen.
Otherwise, you can trick yourself into thinking you want nothing more than to start working towards your goal.
You’ve told yourself it’s too hard or you’re not intelligent or talented enough, and you believed it. So, of course, you don’t want to work on it.
Now, try it the other way.
Tell yourself that you’re an expert and this task is so fun and easy that you don’t even have to think while you do it. Pretend that you can’t wait to start working on it!
Rebellious types can pretend that they’re not allowed to have this goal. Then they can get up early and work on it in secret.
6. Get started by using a sense of urgency
A sense of urgency can move things along faster than you thought was possible.
So, get a timing app and set it for 45 minutes and get to work. Then take a break for 15 minutes. Or you can do 25 minutes and take a 5-minute rest.
Set goals you want to complete before the time is up, then reward yourself.
Also, you can create punishments for not finishing in time. For example, if you don’t achieve the goal, then you have to do 15 pushups.
Race the timer, and you’ll get a boost of adrenaline that’ll help you get things done faster.
7. Encourage yourself to get started
Create mantras or affirmations and repeat them before you work. This will flip the script on any negative thinking.
Avoid anything that fills your mind with negativity. So, pump yourself up with motivating messages and see what happens!
Here are some choices:
- “I take action with confidence and bravery.”
- “There’s nothing that intimidates me and nothing will get in my way.”
- “Anything I set out to do, I accomplish.”
- “I believe in myself and my ability to conquer any obstacle.”
- “This project is exciting and I’m about to crush it like no one else.”
You really can do this; you’ve probably done it before in some form!
Don’t believe any lies you tell yourself or that others told you in the past because you can do incredible things.
You just need to get out of your way and let it happen.
8. Don’t forget to rest
Once you get into motion, you’ll be ultra-productive. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take any breaks.
Your brain needs to rest, and it’ll let you know by lowering your performance.
So, when you realize that your output is suffering, then it’s time to relax for a while. Remember to set a timer for your breaks, or they’ll steal all of your time!
9. Dare yourself to get started
Challenge yourself to just do the first thing on your list. Or any step on your list. Either way, you’re being productive and getting closer to finishing.
Envision how you’ll feel when you finish this life-changing goal. You’ll lift a massive weight off your shoulders, causing you to sleep better and not feel burdened by it during the day.
Not to mention, you’ll get a nice confidence boost afterward.
I challenge you to get started after you finish reading this article and to share your first step in the comments.
In short, you now have what you need to get started on even the most intimidating of goals. With this knowledge, you can attack any project that others cower away from.
You don’t need to be more intelligent, more prepared, or more organized. Nothing is holding you back, but the thoughts in your mind, and they’re under your control!
So, remember take these steps to get started:
- Choose a goal.
- Write down everything you’d need to do to reach it.
- Spread these steps throughout the week or month.
- Set reminders for each step on your computer calendar.
- Create and repeat affirmations. Think inspiring thoughts about yourself and your abilities. Even if they sound crazy at first!
- Dare yourself to do the first step or any step.
- Work with a timer and a deadline. Reward yourself for being on time and have punishments for being late.
- Take breaks when your quality drops.
- If you haven’t already, subscribe below to get more life-changing content sent to you every week! All for free!
I know you can do this! Ready? Get started!
