"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain." --Mark Twain
Have you ever had one of those days (or weeks) where everything on your plate was something you didn't look forward to-doing? I faced such a week this past summer. I remember going to bed, doing my positive thinking, only to come face to face with the bleak reality that there wasn't one thing on my list I felt positive about. I had ended up with a pile of things I didn't really want to-do, but all the same had to be done.
Just before drifting off to sleep that Sunday night, I had an idea. I would make the upcoming week an "Ugly Week." Since I knew Monday contained three tasks I was dreading, I would find every other task I dreaded and fill the rest of the day. I would do the same thing for Tuesday and each other day that week. Every morning I would start with the task I least wanted to-do. The more annoying the task, the higher it would move on the priority list.
Monday morning came and I arose, determined to have my "Ugly Day." When the mail came, I didn't look at the fun stuff - just the bills. As I went throughout the day, I chose the tasks that went "against my grain." I worked through the backlog of unattractive to-dos.
By the end of the week, something interesting had happened. I had marked off so many of those "weigh one down" tasks that I was in an incredibly good mood and felt so much lighter.
When you find yourself in a backlog of to-dos that you don't want to-do, try this "ugly-week" tactic. Too often, we let these tasks remain undone and drain our energy for other tasks. When we incorporate just one "unattractive" task into our day, it can weigh us down the whole day. If we have twenty unattractive to-dos, we schedule ourselves for a month of "feeling under par." Having an "ugly week" allows us not only to consolidate those unattractive tasks, but also to feel good as we wipe the slate clean with "done" marks.
Brook Noel is the author of The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women. Her unique program has helped thousands of women "makeover" all aspects of their lives. Learn more at http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com
Oswego taxi to Midway ..EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
"Junkyard Wars," a TV series showed two teams of experts... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
3-Step Clean Sweep Program 1 -... Read More
You arrived on earth without clutter. Your parents and doting... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
shuttle from Midway Morris ..In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Decide When And Where To StartDecide when and where to... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
You arrived on earth without clutter. Your parents and doting... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
One of the hardest things for most individuals working from... Read More
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |