What happens when we know there’s something we need to do and we just keep putting it off, telling ourselves that we will do it, “when we have time, when things settle down, when it’s not so hot, when it’s not so cold” and the list goes on an on…

This morning I got up, and once again, I looked at my pantry and knowing that it is one of those things I plan to do (when one of the above-mentioned things happen) – but today something was different, something clicked in my brain and instead of coming up with reasons of why I can’t do it now, I just got up and started doing it.

It occurred to me, that what prevented me from accomplishing this simple task before, were all the excuses I THOUGHT up the instant it came to mind that it needed to be done. And suddenly I realized that because I skipped the “THOUGHT” process of why I couldn’t do it now – it allowed me to accomplish what I needed to get done.

Here’s why this works. If you have read my blog where I outlined the effects on thoughts on our lives, then you will realize that the moment a stimulus comes to our awareness (I need to clean the pantry), then it is followed by a thought (I don’t have the time), which then creates a feeling ( I have so much to do), which elicits and emotion (overwhelm), which precedes an action (I’ll do it another time, I’m just too busy right now). You can see how by suppressing the thought as soon as it comes to your attention, how it will now allow you to bypass the feeling and emotion that will determine the action you’re going to take.

One of the things I told myself before, was that it would take up too much of my time when I should be focused on doing work related to my business. What the reality was however, was quite different. I completed the task in less than half an hour, and the feeling of satisfaction I got from having accomplished one of those tasks I was always putting off – gave me a fantastic start to my day!

Try this simple hack the next time you have something you need to do. Nike’s “Just do it!” works after all 🙂

Visit my website at: www.leverage4change.com for coaching services.