By Ann Weaver
This was a very hard article to write. The biggest reason is probably because I usually don’t “just feel like it.” I am the first to admit that I am not good at keeping things up myself, and in all honesty, I was actually putting off writing this article when I first wrote this. (In fact, my best friend, Grace and I have decided that if there was ever a way to make money by procrastinating things, we would be billionaires!)
We often don’t “feel like” doing things. Sweeping the porch, cleaning your room. Reading a boring schoolbook, doing a project. Everyone has things in their life that are like this. Sometimes we may even put off things we enjoy, because we don’t seem to have the time or the energy for it.
So how do we persevere in something when we “just don’t feel like it?”
First, we should determine that we will do it, no matter what. Often the hardest part is “getting off of the couch” and resolving that it will get done. Chores like vacuuming or wiping down the kitchen counters usually don’t take that long- it’s just dreading them that makes it sound like it will take forever.
Secondly, let’s ask ourselves why we haven’t done the task we’ve determined to do. When we do this, we can then focus on a solution to overcoming the obstacle, so that we can press through. Let’s look at some common reasons we may put things off, and some possible solutions.
1: Time.
Though this problem can sound impenetrable, it usually isn’t. Take some time to prioritize tasks in your day and it’ll help you see how much time you actually have. You may find you have more than you realize! Time can often be an excuse we use when we have no other excuse, so be sure to check yourself on this.
If, however, you have sorted out your day as much as possible and still don’t have enough time to do what you need to do, talk with a parent. Sometimes they may not know that you need/want to complete a project, and will probably be happy to help you figure out how to fit everything into your day.
2: Energy.
Not having much energy can be hard. However, sometimes we can also deceive ourselves into thinking we don’t have energy, when in reality we’re just avoiding what we need to do. Look out for this when you attribute this problem to your issue!
To begin, sort out your time. Figure out what is taking so much of your energy. Whatever it is, can it be cut back on, at least for a little while, to make room for the things you keep putting off? Or do you simply need to resolve to do whatever you are procrastinating on? Again, it may help to talk to a parent about it. They have a lot of wisdom and experience and might have just the right perspective or advice you need.
3: Tediousness/Boredom/Unpleasantness.
Yeah… this is the hardest. There are always those tasks that are waiting for you without fail, and it’s easy to fall into the bad habit of complaining when these objections come up. So here are a few ideas to help you out with this problem.
If it’s a job that requires work but not listening, (like a sewing project or a long time in the kitchen) put on some music, an audiobook, or even a podcast! Listening to something you enjoy engages your mind and helps you do the task you need to do. However, be cautious: something enjoyable to listen to can also slow you down if you get more engrossed in what you’re hearing than the job at hand. Work at finding the right balance if this becomes a problem for you!
Another great way to keep you going is a motivation, such as promising yourself a chapter in a good book or a piece of chocolate when you’re done. Just don’t let yourself do whatever that motivation might be until you’ve done your job, or you will have totally defeated the purpose!
4: Difficulty.
Often when a task is difficult, we put it off, like I did with this article! To overcome this, take a look at what you need to get done and determine what it is you find so difficult. Is it a math problem or something else that you need to do on your own? In that case, put your mind to it. If you work on it awhile and still can’t get it, humbly respectfully ask for help.
If it can be turned into a team effort, however, get your family together to help or ask someone if they’ll assist you. Teamwork really does make the dream work, as the saying goes!
I must warn you about one thing, though: don’t push yourself too hard. It’s easy to get started on a bunch of projects and then want to push them all through right away. Pace yourself. Even if the things you need to do are necessary, never push on so much that your physical or mental health is harmed. There must be a balance. We must often impel ourselves to persevere, but if you honestly think that you are pushing yourself too hard, make sure to take a break!
I hope some of these ideas have been helpful! I’m always interested in others’ thoughts, so if you have suggestions for motivation and things that have helped you when you get stuck, please share in the comments!
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