Suppose you have tried everything above and you still can’t seem to bring yourself to work. First, I want you to repeat step two and show yourself a little compassion. Did you do that? Good. I’ll bet you’re feeling better already!
So given that you can’t seem to get yourself to work, what should you do instead? When locked in internal conflict, we will often take some form of default action (a common one these days is to browse the internet). This form of procrastination rarely feels very fulfilling or regenerative. This is like a drowning man treading water – you’re not getting any closer to shore! Instead, recognize that you are refusing to work in that moment, and engage in active recovery. Make a list of your most fun activities, the things that will leave you feeling the most energized and happy, and commit yourself to enjoying them fully and without reservation for a period of time. After that time is up, take your renewed energy and good mood and get right back on the horse! You will undoubtedly have an easier time than you did from a place of unhappy resistance.
Note that sometimes we are legitimately tired – most people in the United States are getting less than 8 hours of sleep a night, and artificial lighting can wreak havoc on our body’s natural circadian rhythm. When you have a low energy level, everything in life seems harder. In that case, the best thing you can possibly do for your productivity is to rest! Employers are starting to realize the importance of napping at work, so if you happen to work for one of those forward thinking companies or for yourself this is an easy solution. Otherwise, I suggest setting a timer, closing your eyes, and allowing yourself to free associate: do not think of anything in particular or try to hold onto any thoughts (especially about work), let your mind wander undirected. Afterwards you will feel refreshed and ready to go again.
This concludes my Ten Ways to Change Your Behavior Immediately series. I am sure that you will find one or another of these tips to be helpful – leave a comment or drop me a line and tell me how they worked for you! Please feel free to pass these along to friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else who you think could use this advice. And be sure to leave us a note in the comments to tell us what techniques you have come up with, so everyone can share your success!
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