Do you ever have those days where you can’t seem to get started? Today is one of those days for me. I was walking around somewhat aimlessly, killing time on FB, and accomplishing essentially nothing. It occurred to me that some days you need to decide if you are going to show up for yourself. I asked myself, ‘Are you going to show up for yourself today or not?’ After all if I don’t who will?

I woke this morning feeling off. I felt somewhat disconnected and lethargic for the week ahead. It’s a Monday morning and I struggled with a loss of motivation and direction.

I have plenty on my to-do list; networking to tend to, appointments to schedule, a plethora of professional and personal things needing attending to. I don’t want to do any of it. I am unmotivated. Then the choice came to me; I need to decide if I want to show up for myself today, and if so, how.

I know myself well enough that when evening comes if I’m feeling I accomplished little I’ll feel badly I lost the day. I also know that when I get into something, my focus kicks in and I become productive.

So today when I felt lost I used the Five Minute Tool. I picked one thing, frankly the easiest of what was on my to-do list, and told myself I only had to spend 5 minutes on it. It’s a trick I learned long ago and it consistently works!

Some days we just need to get started. Sometimes due to lack of motivation and or a sense of being overwhelmed, we have a hard time focusing and applying ourselves. Try the Five Minute Tool. Pick something, even if it’s not on your to-do list and spend five minutes on it. Productivity is contagious and when our mind kicks in, our energy follows.

So the next time you’re feeling lost or procrastinating, choose five minutes and pick one thing. That was two hours ago for me. I’m now well into my to-do list and in addition have written this blog. I may not be at my top speed, but yes, I am showing up for myself today. And that feels good.

 

Lisa Brown

Positive Psychology Life Coach

www.lisabrownlifecoach.com