So, if you find yourself looking at your to do list and wondering where to start…
Always do the thing you are dreading the most, first!
The satisfaction and pride of getting that thing, that worst task, crossed off your list first, will definitely give you the willpower to do more! AND, doing the worst thing first means it’s done!! You powered through, and there’s no need to stress about how or when you’re going to do it! That mental load, that dread, is all gone!
I started using this strategy after wasting some good nap times when the kids were young. I could never predict how long they would actually sleep. Sometimes, I would start by taking a break for myself first, you know, do something fun just for me! Then, after a bit of time, I would start feeling guilty and get started on one task, then, just like that, the nap would be over! It was way harder to do some of the chores while the kids were awake, so then I would simply get mad at myself for not being more productive during that blip of time that they napped. So, I needed to create a new system!
Hence the decision to do the worst, first!
There is also a self esteem boost in knowing that you pushed yourself to work hard even though you ‘could’ have had a break instead. Knowing the worst is behind you, you actually gain greater mental capacity to do pretty much anything else! Even doing more chores!
When you are trying to get stuff done, think about the thing that is bugging you the most or the task you keep putting off! That’s likely the best thing to do first. Take a minute if you need to. Muster up the energy to wrap your head around diving into it. Then just do it! Just do the worst first! You won’t regret it!
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