In the writing community, “Just write already” is a mantra that we use when we find ourselves procrastinating instead of writing. In other words, sometimes you just need to DO THE THING. Stop messing around and get the thing done, even if you don’t want to.
Get Over The Wall
Something I found helpful was a video from “How to ADHD” called “Why Is It So Hard to Do Something That Should Be Easy?” In it, she talks about how we process our mental walls differently. In summary, the research suggests we do one of two things:
- Do small things that change our emotional state (like put on music that makes us feel more productive)
- Use coping mechanisms and strategies (like creating lists, breaking up bigger projects into small goals, and developing time wisdom).
Develop a Schedule
This strategy takes a while because you’ll have to develop the habit, but it’s a lot easier than you might think. Developing a routine can put you in scheduled mindsets throughout the day.
It might take you a couple tries to find the routine that works best for you. To help, consider some of these tips:
- Incorporate a lot of breaks
- Make work or study blocks in 30-minute increments
- Schedule buffer time for tasks that normally take a while
- Consider how much you want to micromanage your schedule
Create Dedicated Work Areas
If you’re studying or working from home, you might find it easier to “do the thing” if you move to a space dedicated for that task. If you normally study at the dinner table, try sitting in a different seat (from the one you sit in when you eat at the table).
Try turning on different lights at your desk. When I have to do work tasks, I turn on the big overhead light in my office. However, when I’m working on personal projects, I turn on the warmer Edison bulb lights strung above my head instead. It helps flip that switch in my mind.