Do you frequently fail to complete jobs on time? If this is the case, you may be battling with self-control and motivation.
The issue is not so much a lack of work as it is a lack of effort. Your body has an inbuilt tendency to put off activities until they become too tough or upsetting to handle. When you are anxious, your brain releases cortisol, an “emotional stress hormone” that raises blood pressure, constricts your pupils, and makes you feel tired and restless. These symptoms indicate a fight-or-flight response and boost the metabolic rate to assist us in fleeing danger. This method is useful when the situation calls for it, but when things aren’t as bad as you think, you have little choice but to accept additional obstacles. Long-term, this creates substantial damage to relationships, which may eventually lead to career troubles.
Consider the following techniques for increasing your inner resources and willpower to face the obstacles of overindulgence:
1. Divide tasks into smaller chunks.
As humans, our brains prefer working on numerous issues at once. The first task you perform may appear insignificant. However, in order to accomplish your present assignment, you must return and begin doing the second thing. Work resumes when you complete your prior project satisfactorily. Breaking things down into smaller parts can assist you in breaking down projects into manageable segments. Instead of creating three distinct reports, each requiring significant study, concentrate on finishing one report in two to three hours and another in four to six hours. Each new project will be introduced gradually, but there will be minimal interruptions during the first few days. On days five or six, you can complete all of the elements needed for the final project in under eight hours. Continue this approach for several weeks before selecting what kind of project you actually want to do next—and don’t hurry into a new, less challenging project just because it’s simpler.
2. Don’t be concerned about what others think of you.
Many people are driven by their own fear of failing, particularly when it comes to pleasing others. Building social evidence is one of the most common techniques to prevent succumbing to fear. By telling your friends and family that you completed something, you demonstrate that you have both done it and succeeded in achieving particular goals. When you consider helping others achieve goals that are important to you, such as getting married or following your professional interests in marketing, social proof encourages you. When possible, get feedback from others instead of waiting for it from your supervisor. Consider asking co-workers to assist you in getting where you want to go rather than allowing them to dictate your future goals. As an added bonus, you may share your success with individuals who are helping you achieve bigger goals. Remember that your goal is to inspire and motivate others rather than to impress them.
3. Recognize that getting results isn’t everything.
Some tasks are better left unfinished than finished. Skipping a portion of a project that isn’t advantageous to you can have advantages. However, just because you are unable to complete a task does not mean you should abandon it entirely. We have a tendency to be concerned about things that do not go as planned. Although it is necessary to keep in mind specific outcomes that may not occur as planned, we should also understand that the best things aren’t always the most likely to occur as planned.
4. Accept that further assistance is still required to achieve the goals.
When you run into roadblocks, especially when they appear insurmountable, turn to your loved ones for help. They understand that you value them beyond all others and feel compelled to assist them in times of need. Give yourself credit for accepting responsibility for completing the task despite difficulties and mistakes. Even if you don’t always succeed right away, most people would say you typically fail. Concentrate on having the guts to trust your judgement and make changes to improve outcomes while feeling good about helping others grow.
5. Put forth more effort and play less.
Our brains are hardwired to like action, even if it appears monotonous. While some of us would prefer to take care of ourselves, research reveals that it takes around ten minutes of consistent hard effort per day to achieve the same results as indulging in leisure activities. Try spending a bit more time on your daily to-do list. Instead of watching television after lunch, try reading. Take advantage of any downtime you have to focus on completing things. Doing nothing, on the other hand, is not good and might lead to feelings of unhappiness because you are unfulfilled. Make an attempt to exercise and eat properly in order to satisfy your desires without feeling bad about engaging in unhealthy habits. Instead of stressing about how far you’ve come, remember to enjoy your wins and accept your accomplishments as personal victories. You are unique. Your life is important, and none of your achievements should be taken for granted.
If you frequently feel stuck with tasks or challenges, seek the assistance of professionals such as counsellors or coaches who specialise in providing ways to help you overcome these obstacles.
By Mehreen Bano
