this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2024
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Just starting somewhere is the correct call (though I'd rephrase it as "Start anywhere") but I wouldn't call not doing it laziness
There's a decision paralysis that's really hard to overcome on where to start
I know it sounds silly, but it's really a major hurdle
The more times you make it past the initial hurdle by "starting anywhere" the easier it becomes to get past that initial hurdle
I find breaking things into much smaller tasks helps a lot. I personally make actual physical lists so I can cross things out as I go because it's more satisfying to cross things off and it's easier to not get distracted.
For example: Cleaning my room is the major task but it's too big and full of choices; cleaning 3d prining corner, organize shelf, vacuum, clean my desk, etc. I'm going to grab 1 minor task from it, cleaning my desk.
The minor task of "cleaning my desk" can be broken down further into so many sub-tasks; Put books back on shelf (this can be broken up as well due to how things are sorted and the variety on my desk), put dishes in sink (can lead to other minor tasks), sort mail into 2 piles, throw away junk mail, put important mail into filing cabinet, put tools back in toolbox, wipe down monitors, etc, etc.
Breaking tasks into smaller pieces makes those initial hurdles easier to overcome and also makes "starting anywhere" easier. Not to mention there's the dopamine spike of completing those little tasks.
Also learning to accept that sometimes the major task you want to accomplish is too large for one day helps.
It's hard (trust me I know) but it's worth it in the long run to get practice doing it.
Yep. Getting motivated to do things is a skill like any other, it takes practice and effort.
Spitting facts right there
And damn has it taken awhile to get vaguely good at it
I know man. I'm nearly 40. At 20 I would have never guessed I could be motivated to do things beyond my immediate needs and wants. I honestly thought it was a character flaw that I was stuck with. Not that I'm perfect now, but the progress I've made is eeally a testament to how much I've grown up.
All through my 20s I thought everyone struggled with motivation like I did but after working on it for awhile and being medicated it's like going from life at legendary difficulty to hard mode.
It's so much easier, though I still wouldn't call it easy.