Welcome to newcomers - please read (this will help).
This wise message was posted in response to a new member message. I'm making it sticky here so all new members will see it. Thanks, movingalong. -pro
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Motivation Follows Action -- and "Microbursts"
What we've learned here is that motivation doesn't seem to come by itself. Oddly, motivation FOLLOWS action.
Most of our tasks seem intimidating, so we avoid them. So what I do is ... a tiny movement in the direction of a task I am dreading.
I might just take out the box of "Intimidating Paperwork", place the box on the table, put my hands inside the box, and then STOP. Then I put the box away.
Then I celebrate that I was brave enough to take the ACTION of placing my hands upon the pile. Sounds silly, but it does help.
Later on, I might take one paper out of the box, and look at it, then put it away BEFORE I freak out. I celebrate that I was able to take a piece of paper out of the box.
All of these tiny actions, are ACTIONS.
Even though small, I celebrate them. They help me see that I can take an action, without it having to be a "Horrifying Time-Consuming Crisis Event".
After I do a few of these tiny things, I might actually be brave enough to work on one sheet of paper for a full five minutes.
Motivation FOLLOWS action.
That's the only way I can get "unstuck".
Working on it for 5 minutes is progress -- (progress from my prior pattern of paralysis).
Hugs!
Credit for the idea of "Motivation Follows Action" goes to things I have read in various places (about unrelated topics) -- and also from various things here at the Procrastinators Anonymous website.
Credit for the idea of "Microbursts" goes to Cheryl Miller at this link: http://tinyurl.com/yr2ne4
- By movingalong at 27 Jul 2008 - 4:56pm
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Mark Forster's "I'll just get the file out" technique
This reminds me very much of Mark Forster's (author of "Do it tomorrow" & "Get everything done & still have time to play") "I’ll just get the file out" technique. The idea is that when you are procrastinating over something, you just tell yourself that you'll "just get the file out" or whatever, with no promises to do anything else with the file, just that you'll get it out and put it on your desk.
It actually works pretty well, when I remember to do it (which is unfortunately not that often!), as you often end up at least looking at the contents of the file and often actually get the task done or at least properly started. The only trouble is that unless I actually do finish the task, occasionally my forgetfullness & disorganisation get in the way and the file gets lost in the pile of crap on my desk and I forget I put it there... but then that kind of thing happens anyway, regardless of whether I'm using the "I'll just get the file out" technique!
Obviously the "file" could be anything; if you are procrastinating over cleaning, it could be getting the cleaning equipment out, if it's making dinner it could be looking in the fridge to see what you've got, and so on.
For really chronic procrastinators (myself included!) this technique alone won't be enough to transform you into a non-procrastinator, but it's a very good start and perhaps, if you can get into the habit of using it regularly (easier said than done, of course), it might break the cycle of procrastinating behaviour. I think the trick is to move your habitual patterns of behaviour from inaction to action. The only snag is that changing the habits of a lifetime is not an easy task!
More info on "get the file out"
I just found more info about this on Mark Forster's website: http://www.markforster.net/get-the-file-out/
I think, perhaps, that he didn't have chronic procrastinators in mind when he wrote the "Conquer Procrastination for Ever" tagline, though!
very wise message from movingalong
Hi moving - this message is so wise, I think I will move it somewhere and make it sticky so newcomers can see it. Thanks for posting it.
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Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
motivation follows action
Thank you so much for your message. This makes so much sense - "motivation follows action". I'm also so relieved that someone understands how I feel. Sometimes I think I must be crazy or something - my family doesn't understand at all why I can't "just do it".
I'll try your suggestion of taking some very small action. That sounds like something I can do.
Again, thank you so much!!!!
motivation follows action
I feel exactly like you described, I am so glad you posted it, because it validates that I am not crazy and not alone....Gina