When it’s time to step out of your comfort zone, do you find it hard to follow through?
Do you waver at key moments and get distracted?
Do you listen to your brain when it says, “This is scary. Let’s just do what we always do.”
I get it. Before I do anything even a little challenging, my brain says, “You can’t do it. Not now. Not this morning.”
I literally wrote the book on how the brain does this, yet I’m still surprised by how often my mind thinks it’s not up to the job.
My brain doesn’t outright say it can’t do it. It’s sneakier. It sounds more like
“I’m too tired.”
“Do it later.”
“I don’t have enough time.”
“My brain is too fuzzy.”
“I don’t know how.”
My mind is extremely convincing, and it is tempting not to do the thing.
Here’s my hack to getting over this hump:
STEP 1:
Before I start, I take a few moments to see what my mind thinks about the task.
I jot down a few thoughts.
This is when all the “I’m too tired to do this today. I don’t have enough time” crap comes up.
STEP 2:
Then, I write an alternative thought that makes me feel I can get it done.
So if my predominant thought is, “I don’t know how.”
I might write:
(I pretty much always write this.)
You will have your phrase.
STEP 3:
I get on with the task.
I do not try to hold the new, more upbeat thought in my head.
Nope. I’ve got more important things to do.
I forget about it.
I get on with the job.
What happens is that at some point—usually when I’m at a tricky bit—a sliver of my brain remembers there is a chance I could actually do this.
The energy of the new thought sticks. And I push on where I might have otherwise stopped.
Minimal effort is required.
I know, it seems too simple to work, right?
But there is something about taking a moment to spot what’s happening in your brain and then gently, lovingly, suggesting that the “I can’t do this” thoughts may not be true.
I’m going to do it right now.
(I’m finishing up a series on how our mind’s controlling nature causes most of our stress, plus how to move beyond it. (It’ll be added to the DNM school next month.)
I hope that helps you and your brain:)
For the full scoop on how to get your dream done (and even find out what your dream is), you’ll find loads of resources in the Do Nothing Meditation School,
including my new training program, Productivity Bootcamp: Overcome Your Mind’s Resistance and Get Your Dream Done 7 Days at a Time
Try the Do Nothing Meditation School for 7 days for free here.
You’ve got this!
Warmly,
Lisa Esile
“I just wanted to thank you so much for the Productivity Bootcamp Course! As with everything you have shared, this is pure gold! I have unfinished projects all the time. This is like me forever!” —Katerina.
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