Recognizing that you’re never going to feel like it.

Getting up when your alarm goes off…

Going to the gym…

That project you’ve been meaning to get to…

That book you’ve been meaning to read…

Having the talk you need to have…

The list goes on.

Whatever is on your list, most of the time you probably won’t feel like doing it. In fact, its usually the things we need to do most that we put off the most. It is easy to dismiss getting things done because we don’t feel motivated, but waiting for that motivation can create unwanted repercussions.

Let’s paint a story. Let’s say your alarm goes off in the morning. You decide to hit snooze a few times because you don’t feel like getting up and now you’re running late for work. Breakfast becomes an afterthought and now you’re hurrying to get dressed and on the road. Traffic isn’t moving fast enough so you’re wondering if you’ll make it on time the whole way to work. You get to work and now your day starts.

Doesn’t sound too fun right? The following series of events could have been easily prevented. If we learn to recognize when we don’t feel like it, we can begin to take action and change the habit. It is important to understand that most of the time we are never going to feel like it.

So start small and try and recognize when you don’t feel like it. Remind yourself why you need to do something, and the outcome if you do or don’t.

I personally enjoy my free time a great deal more knowing I took care of any priorities first. I am more present with the people around me, and free of worry. Be proactive so you don’t have to be reactive.

If you can recognize when you “don’t feel like it” and create a habit of being proactive, you create the habit of getting it done. Once you develop this habit of discipline, it has the potential to help change your life in a positive way.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
-Mark Twain