"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
reliable home cleaners Lincolnshire ..The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Do you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
What's in a Name?Everything.What do you do with all the... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
When I tell people what a FREEING experience moving is,... Read More
What does "quality of life" mean to you? If you... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
Do you use to-do lists? Do you find it satisfying... Read More
What does "time" have to do with getting organized? Everything!... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by a massive task... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
* Cupboards and drawers should contain items that are grouped... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
To make room for new things to come into you... Read More
house cleaning near Northbrook ..You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
It is 5:00 pm and Cindy has no idea what... Read More
Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward... Read More
Take time to declutter this summer...Writing can certainly consume the... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
Remember when you charged into the office that first day,... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
What's an item that can help you organize every room... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |