THE CYCLE OF UNDERACHIEVING
Have you ever had so many things to do in your day that it just feels impossible to fit everything in and the mere thought of having to complete those tasks brings you self-doubt and anxiety? When you inevitably fall short of completing your impossible task of 30 or more to-do items, you’re left with a sense of disappointment and lingering stress?
Yeah me too.
Enter the cycle of stress via underachieving.
Not because we’re incapable or inadequate but because we place so much pressure on ourselves to get so many things done in 24 hours that it just isn’t realistic.
Overloading ourselves with too many tasks only creates perceived pressure of not being able to get all those tasks done before even beginning.
It’s like buying a one-way ticket to feeling underachieved as well as physically and mentally exhausted.
But what if we only had 3? Three high priority tasks to complete throughout the day, that we know the exact purpose of why we’re doing them and why they are so necessary to our success.
So I raise this question to you;
What are your top 3 priorities for today? Or MIT’s (MOST IMPORTANT TASKS)
What do you need to achieve today to make it a success?
Here’s an example of mine including why.
1 – I need to get some form of exercise done.
Why?
Because I know it will directly affect my functioning both physically and mentally for the day. I will feel distracted and disappointed with myself (I’m sure many of you can relate to that).
2 – I set aside time to study & program for clients.
Why?
I need to attain this knowledge to finish my degree and begin my career helping people as an osteopath (this is an absolute non-negotiable) but I also want to further my learning to be the best that I can as well as be prepared so others can be the best they can.
3 – Set aside ME time.
Why?
I need to have a time during the day or evening where I allow myself to switch off.
If don’t allow myself this time I become overwhelmed, stressed and under-productive. One hour as a minimum will suffice until the weekend and at that point I will have more time for myself.
When you create a list of most important or high priority tasks you feel like you have won your day as soon as you finish and that could potentially be completed by midday! Anything else on top of that can be considered an extra win! It creates a sense of achievement and psychology studies have shown it directly links to motivation (which is the basic drive for all our actions). So if you want to feel motivated, fulfilled and win your day try setting three high priority tasks and get them done with no excuses!
“Taking action births motivation“ – Greg Smith
By Emily Wallace