Get Things Done: How To Organize Your Life And Take Action

Taking action To Get Things Done Just Start

FIND THE MOTIVATION TO TAKE ACTION ON ANY TASK – Get Things Done

The task is often the hardest part of doing it

  • Give task attention, and your brain begins to think of the time, energy, and resources it will take to complete = resistance

Resistance becomes procrastination

  • You rationalize: I can’t do this BIG task today, but I can tomorrow

Tomorrow, the process is repeated…

  • Tomorrow, the task looks just as big – if not bigger

The cure: Just do something small

just-start
  • Need to write a blog post – Type some nonsense on your keyboard
  • Need to pay bills – Open one bill and look at it
  • Need to clean the garage – Throw one thing away
  • Need to call several people – Enter the number of one person

Similarity and simplicity are the best small actions

  • The best small actions get your mind and body to think/act in simple ways that are similar to those needed to complete the actual task

Why just start works

just starting works
  • Small is doable – Your brain believes that small can be done, so its resistance to doing the task drops
  • It creates momentum – Once you’ve started, it’s easier to just continue taking action
    • Newton: Objects in motion tend to stay in motion

CHALLENGE/NEXT ACTIONS

  • Think of 3 tasks you’ve been putting off
  • Identify the smallest thing you can do to start each one
  • Do those small things

How To Take Action When You REALLY Don’t Want To

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