Counting; Reprogramming Your Perspective and Expectations

Ok, we all know that the key to productivity is always the little things.

 

It’s usually not a giant mind blowing, earth shattering break-through, it is small steps and simple new skills you learn or discover.

I remember where I was when I had this aha moment…

I was really needing to fix something around the house that had been needing a repair for a while. It was one of those projects that I knew needed to get done and I kept justifying to myself why it could wait.

I finally had one of those “this is driving me crazy” moments so I just jumped in. It didn’t take near as long as I thought and when I got done I looked back over the time that I’d put it off and realized something; I’d convinced myself it was going to take hours and hours and it took a few minutes.

We all are addicted to and love the process of seeing results.

Stepping back to admire a well cut out, clean line, perfectly painted room is really satisfying. Getting started is the challenge.

Enjoying those last few minutes finishing up is so awesome…

What is not awesome?

Trying to find that random obscure miss placed bucket of paint, trying to find at least one paintbrush that isn’t dried up, and trying to find the blue tape to cut out the crown molding; just getting started is half the battle at least.

So here’s my mind trick I discovered that is way too simple but it works.

Counting.

If I’m trying to convince myself it will take too long, I start counting as I’m starting the project. Most of the time I don’t get to 60 before I’m either done or past the point of not getting started at all.

Maybe it’s a calming effect or a distraction in my head, but I’ve started and finished huge projects by just counting in my head and before I know it I’m into the process or I’m done.

Try it.

You’ll be amazed how many tiny projects or tasks you’ll knock out that you’re convinced would take days and days.

I was vindicated in my 3rd grade math solution of counting when I literally stumbled on the book “The 5 second rule”.

Full discourse.

This is not a bible study, it’s not written by John Piper and if you listen on audible fair warning… there’s some colorful language.

That being said, chew the meat off the bones. This is a deep dive into how the human brain is wired and how you can train or jump start getting tasks started and completed by counting backwards from five.

Yes, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… go!

I just summed up the entire book in one sentence. Buy it and read it or listen to it (I prefer the audio book version because the author, Mel Robbins, has one of those magnetic voices that keeps you engaged!)

Do this.

The next time you’re looking at a tiny task that you’re trying to talk yourself out of start counting and you’ll be shocked how quick you finish!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… go!