Three Ways to Do Something You Don’t Want to Do
When Willpower Isn’t Enough
We’ve all been there. There are activities we don’t want to do, but we should do. Unfortunately, it’s a challenge to find the momentum to start the activity, much less complete it. For example, our daily dose of exercise may not be something we look forward to. We may find ourselves using every excuse not to exercise, but we understand that exercise makes us healthier. Yet, we still don’t do it as often as we should.
Do you sometimes feel like your willpower is fighting against a brick wall? It is. It’s fighting against your mind. We postpone. We procrastinate. Even our willpower can’t make us do it.
In these cases, training your mind is easier than pushing against it.
The following are three methods to use when willpower is not enough.
Three Ways to Do Something You Don’t Want to Do
Find A New Frame for Your Thoughts
We can get caught in a negative thought pattern and not know it. Focusing on all the negative aspects of exercise will not encourage you to exercise the next time. Telling yourself that you hate exercising only diminishes the likelihood that you’ll exercise.
If there’s something you need to do, but you don’t want to do it—you may want to change the way you think of that activity. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, find positives about the activity to hold in your thoughts. Reframe your thoughts by choosing to concentrate on the positive parts of the activity.
Think Outside the Box
It’s okay to change your plans, as long as the result is the same. All too often, we lose creativity on the way to our goals. Then, we become disappointed when the one path we carved out doesn’t lead to achievement.
If you don’t like exercising, then don’t exercise! At least, not in the way you dislike. Exercise doesn’t have to be at the gym or a studio. Find something you enjoy that gets your muscles moving and your heart pumping. Do you like to dance? Can you do a brisk walk around the neighborhood? Get creative and change your approach. You might find yourself looking forward to exercise!
See Yourself Doing the Activity
See yourself performing the activity and looking happy. Visualize yourself starting the day and then engaging in the activity. Imagine enjoying it. Allow yourself to imagine overcoming any problems or issues. Picture being content and proud of yourself afterward.
Imagining yourself performing the task makes the activity less overwhelming.
Thoughts and Emotions
Our thoughts can impact how we engage with the world around us. Concentrating on negative thoughts can prevent us from performing — and enjoying — some activities. Our minds often pick up what we teach, so we should be extra careful about the narratives we tell ourselves.
With CalmiGo, you can take a few deep breaths and practice visualizing your goals. CalmiGo can help manage your thoughts and emotions—helping you to do the things you need to do!
