The "do one thing" challenge
Isn’t it amazing how we can literally convince ourselves for days, weeks, months and even years to put off an action step? We delay the very things we want to do. We postpone what we know is best for us. I find that I fall victim to this pattern when I am scared. When the path ahead is unknown. Or when the steps I need to take are unclear. One way to combat this paralysis as it often feels is to just do one thing. Here’s how it works:
Pick your top priority or the thing you have been putting off.
Do one thing. Take one step towards completing it. Even if that step is as simple as responding to an email or walking out the door. Try to take this first step in the morning. Whether you are a morning person or not, we are our “freshest” in the morning. Our minds aren’t yet buzzing from all the stimuli, thoughts and interactions.
So these two steps might seems super obvious, but you would be surprised at how often we don’t approach a daunting task in this way. Fro the moment we walk into the office or coworking or sit at our desk, it is so easy to get caught up in the swirl of priorities. We end up bobbing from one task to the next. That is why we often feel like we didn’t make a dent in our to do list or we feel horrible that we put off that big thing yet again.
So when you feel the dread and overwhelm start creeping in, just ask yourself, “what is the one thing I can do to move forward on my biggest priority.” Do it.
This sets you up for a productive day. Our brains have reward/punishment mechanisms in place. With every achievement our body releases dopamine creating a sense of pleasure. This keeps us focused and motivated.