Even when you know you have a lot of work to do, getting started can be difficult. You may lack motivation or simply be tired but if you do not get started, you cannot complete the tasks which you need to complete. This adds to the work which you need to do the next day which in turn further reduces your motivation and energy levels. There is nothing to be ashamed of when you are having difficulty getting started; even the most effective people suffer days where they find it hard to get their motor running. However, a little thought and routine can make getting started a heck of a lot easier.
Getting started is easy when you take these actions
If you are having difficulty getting started, you might want to implement the following actions. When implemented these steps help to reduce your resistance to getting started.
1. Create a good working environment
Your working environment is somewhere that you can expect to spend a great deal of time. It should be treated with care as though it were your second home. Every effort should be made to make it as pleasant and inviting an environment as you can manage. Try the following steps to make your work environment better:
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- Make sure that you have your own workspace which is solely for work purposes
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- Remove all clutter
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- Have all the necessary equipment within easy reach
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- Store and file appropriately
- Add decorations which make the area more pleasant for you
2. Have a productivity system in place
Having an effective productivity system is essential if you want to work smart. An effective productivity system captures all of the commitments you make so that you can quickly assess your workload and identify the correct action to take next. Too much time is wasted trying to determine the next action. With an effective productivity system, getting started is easy because you simply take a quick look at your task lists and determine the most important task you can get done, with the time and resources available.
3. Know why you are doing it
When you assess the commitments you have made e.g. projects; there are 2 key questions which you need to ask yourself:
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- What am I trying to achieve? /why am I doing this?
I have covered the importance of knowing the next task in the previous point but knowing the correct actions to take is more difficult if you are unsure as to what the end result should be. Knowing why you are doing what you are doing, and how you expect to benefit from it, gives you both clarity and motivation. When you can quickly visualise the benefits of completing the task/project, getting started is easier.
4. Keep your work environment inviting
It is one thing to set up an inviting work environment but it is another completely to maintain that environment. By setting up the right processes e.g. filing, shredding and dumping unneeded resources, you will keep your workspace inviting and vibrant, meaning that you will feel less resistance to returning to your work. If you do not put the necessary processes in place, your workspace becomes cluttered, disorganised and visually discomforting. These factors will encourage you to develop a resistance to returning to your workspace.
5. Have a weekly productivity review
Reviewing your productivity weekly will help you to keep on top of every commitment that you have made. It allows you to recognise all of the progress you have made and capture any tasks which may have slipped your attention. You will also be able to identify any area where you have fallen behind, including the condition of your workspace, and take corrective action before things get out of hand.
Perhaps the most important element of the weekly review is that it gives you the confidence that you are on top of everything. This makes getting started significantly easier as you are free to focus on 1 small action at a time.
Getting started can be the most difficult part of any day. You may lack energy or motivation. You may even feel overwhelmed by the quantity of work; or you may be uncertain as to where to start. Getting started is a lot easier when you take the actions, listed above, to reduce your resistance to take action. Just like a car, the most difficult task is getting your motor started; once you have done that, and you are properly organised, you will find yourself completing one task before swiftly moving onto the next task. Getting started can be difficult but once you are in motion, maintaining the momentum is simple and fulfilling. Give these 5 steps a try and see the positive difference they make to your working life.
Have you any tips for getting started on your work? If so, please feel free to add them in the comment section below.
Image credit: Freerange Public Domain Archives