Written by Leo Babauta
Let’s imagine there’s a big task that you’ve been avoiding for weeks (or even weeks)…it just becomes a mass of fear and you don’t want to think about it, but you feel really bad about doing so. It will be. I’ve been procrastinating.
Sound familiar? We all do this sometimes, whether it’s a big work project, taxes or budgeting, a difficult email, a creative project, or just a regular task you don’t want to do.
So let’s assume you really want to do this task… how do you go about it?
I’ll introduce you to a practice that allows you to work towards one difficult task at a time until your whole life starts flowing.
Here’s how to practice:
Notice that you are avoiding the task. It may be something you can continue into the next day. Or the emails left in your inbox. There are probably a lot of them… but pick one and find yourself avoiding it. Just as an exercise, set your intention to head there for a bit. Stop for a moment, sit down, and work on your task. You don’t need to do that task yet. Think about the task for a while and feel the emotions that arise. Perhaps fear, disgust with yourself, criticism, fear. You don’t have to think too much about emotions. Allow yourself to feel the emotion for just a moment. Breathe. Take breaks if necessary. Get up and walk around. Drink water, stretch, do a little movement, dance, do whatever you like. Then try step 2 again. Remember why this is important. Why do you care about this? Will doing this yield significant results? Is it important to you? Try the smallest step. Take small actions for a big reason. small. Could you open it and read the first sentence? Could you write some words? Just do it and breathe. Celebrate yourself. It’s the start! You moved towards that challenge! It may seem silly or not worth celebrating, but even moving towards something in this small way is a huge victory. Recognize yourself and do a little dance.
Then keep practicing! After a short break, head back to your task. See you soon.
Take on another task you’ve been avoiding.
And one more thing.
Soon, these small steps, these small changes in direction, will remove most of the obstacles in your life. Then nothing can stop you.
May your life be set free.
