Where Do I Start?

What do you do when your to-do list looks more like an encyclopaedia and you have no idea where to start?  When looking at your list makes you feel overwhelmed because of the sheer size and at the same time sad because it includes things that are important to you but you know are just going to stay on the list?

 Maybe you throw the list away so you don’t feel stressed – or maybe you start trying to cross things off your list but you never get to the stuff you really want so eventually you stop looking at it.

or some reason our brains like to give us lots of dramatic thoughts even about our to-do list:

·      I don’t have enough time to exercise I have a work deadline due

·      I’m too tired at the end of the day to work on my on-line business even though it’s my dream

·      There is no way I will be able to get all that finished on-time

 It’s all drama – these thoughts sound very true and factual when you think them and I’m sure you would love to argue with me that they are the truth – you would know!  But what if they are just thoughts – and that means they are optional…

 Brain response:  Optional?  How is a work deadline due optional?

 My Response:  How much time do you need to …?  What does “enough time” mean for you?  When you look at your schedule, are you working 24/7 on the deadline?  Is your work deadline really non-negotiable?  Would everyone agree?  When is it due?  Can the date or expectations be changed?

Many times we just dive straight into the drama and panic of a deadline because it feels necessary. Start by poking holes in those thoughts you have that are preventing you from starting.   Ask yourself questions about whether those thoughts are helpful or not?

 How do you feel when you think “there is no way I will be able to get all that finished on time”?  Stressed? Overwhelmed? Worried?  When you feel that way I’m guessing you are not feeling motivated to start… and guess what? By not starting you create the actual reality that you won’t get it finished!

Make some wriggle room in that thought and then think about other choices – because how you think is optional even with an encyclopaedia to-do list…