When You Can't Get Started
Every Thursday, I share one action, habit, or project you may want to undertake in order to improve your health, happiness, and sense of well-being.
If you are finding value in our PROJECT OF THE WEEK Newsletter, we would greatly appreciate it if you would spread the word. Your friends and family can click HERE to sign-up.
PROJECT OF THE WEEK
When You Can't Get Started
Do you ever have a day where you feel like you just can't get started?
I don't mean started on a big project or started on something important. I mean started on ANYTHING!
This happened to me this week.
I didn't have any client calls until the afternoon, but I had a lot on my plate.
I considered taking the morning off, but without even looking at my calendar, I knew if I did that, it would not be possible to get everything done this week that NEEDED to be done. This includes things for my business and my life. Ever tried feeding two kids without a trip to the grocery store? It gets creative…and scary!
Falling behind on what NEEDS to get done, never makes me feel better.
Getting Started
Rather than fell behind, I did what I usually do when I am feeling this way.
I grabbed my laptop and my water bottle. I sat in my favorite comfy chair with a comfy blanket and I committed to clearing out all new emails.
Please note: I didn’t respond to any emails. I simply just cleared them out and added them to the appropriate to-do lists and folders.
If this was all I had accomplished, it was much better than getting nothing done.
And this gave me the opportunity to know exactly what was on my plate, instead of letting my brain make things up.
As often happens, once this was complete, I was ready to move on to other simple yet required to-do items.
It wasn't my most productive day AND it allowed me not to fall behind and add to my stress level.
I realized, when I feel like I can't get started, I find a place that is cozy and start small. Then see what happens.
Where is your cozy place?
What is something small that always makes you feel less overwhelmed?
We'd love to hear!
Ready to Get Started?
If you feel excited about implementing this strategy and want some additional accountability and support to get started, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak was designed for you!
A Note from Happy Spaces
The goal is to add value to your life. If you think this project will add value:
Estimate how long you think it will take. I would recommend doubling the time you estimate.
Look at your calendar over the next week and pick a date and time to get started.
Make an appointment on your calendar for the estimated time.
If you estimate that completing this project will take longer than one hour, I recommend doing it over multiple days. This will support you in getting started!
Prior to starting this project, take a few minutes to make a step-by-step list of EVERY action you need to take to complete this project.
It's not all or nothing. You can choose to implement only the parts of this project that add value to your life.
An Accountability Partner can be a great support in following through on your goals and commitments.
We understand how challenging it can be to implement new habits and systems. For additional support please go to HappySpacesBySarah.com.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings in Upstate New York, I learned to use organization to create sanity among the chaos. Today, I work together with individuals, families, and small businesses to create habits, systems, and spaces that support their needs, goals, and dreams. Clients often refer to our work together as "life-changing" and "better than decades of therapy". What I love most about my work is the lasting impact it has on real people's lives. Nothing makes me happier than hearing the many success stories of clients I have worked with.