Are You Finding It Hard to Get Started?

Do you ever have trouble getting started?

You know what needs to be done but every time you try to begin there is always something else that you 'must' do first before getting to work?

Well, overcoming this challenge is more common than you think.

Your Big Payday

Picture the scene, a client presents you with your dream contract which is accompanied by a very generous offer of payment.

There is however an important deadline which said contract HAS to be completed by. You check your calendar and as luck has it you have the time and resources to complete the tasks in a timely manner, if, you start today.

You gladly accept knowing that you have to give this project your full focus, 100%, until deadline day to provide the outstanding results that your client has come to expect from you.

But what happens next can only be described as self-sabotage.

Just as you sit down a prepare to get started you suddenly remember, you need to make a cup of tea or coffee, which ever your preference may be, it is after all an essential tool when it comes to your productivity.

As you sip on your hot beverage and contemplate how best to proceed with the most defining project of your writing career so far, your mind begins to wander, "I wonder what's been happening in the news lately?" It's probably best to check that out first, just in case there's something important going on that you need to know immediately, but then it’s straight to work.

"I wonder what the score of the game was last night?" A quick glimpse of your favourite sports website will provide the answer. Now it's really time to get to work!

The phone rings, it’s your good friend and fellow sports fan to discuss the game and perhaps arrange a catch-up this weekend.

So many minor distractions, but it's all good, you've got plenty of time, no need to worry.

Before you know it, an entire day has pasted with little to no progress being made on what is the biggest contract of your career so far, but it's Ok, no need to panic because you're gonna hit it hard tomorrow, right?

Little distractions like this continue to occur over the days to come. Your progress is intermittent day in and day out until deadline day is upon you and you find yourself still with a vast amount of work still to be completed!

It looks like you're gonna have to pull an all-nighter just to scrape by and have something to submit to your client. What a disaster.

This kind of scenario happens on a regular basis, across many industries, worldwide, every week.

Each time it happens we say, "This is the last time, I'm never putting myself in this position again." But still, the problem continues to exist.

What’s Stopping You?

Has the above scenario happened to you or something to similar affect?

It doesn't always have to be a work-related matter; it can happen on a more personal level.

Say for example you have been meaning to tidy that spare room once and for all, or perhaps write a blog post, but as mentioned above something always seems to crop up and present itself as more important than the task at hand which “has” to be done.

It's at times like this that you need to practice self-awareness, self-discipline and just be damn honest with yourself.

We all fall victim to the temptation of procrastination, it's only natural, but eventually there comes a time when you must fight back, that is if you wish to achieve your goals in life.

You already know that once you get started, you'll gain some momentum and will become unstoppable, so keep that in mind when you find yourself giving in to the allurement of the easy life.

All you've got to do is stick on your version of the Rocky theme tune ‘Eye of the Tiger’, get yourself fired up and crush the challenge in front of you!

You'll be glad you did in the long run!

Thanks for reading! :)