So there you are. Binging on Netflix. Again.

You can’t really enjoy the show you are watching because you just can’t relax. Your mind is going in circles: to-do lists, grocery lists, people who have texted you haven’t yet answered, and let’s not even talk about the email. You look around at the food from the grocery store that needs to put be put away, the laundry that needs to be folded, the mail you need to open, or that thing you need to put in that place (upstairs, downstairs in the garage).

This is all bugging you, but can’t seem to drag yourself off the couch. Sound familiar?

Versions of this happen for most of us.

Ok, ok. It’s me we are talking about here. But maybe you can relate.

If you know me well, you know I don’t watch much TV. None. I don’t have cable or antennae television but I do have Netflix. It’s out of character for me to watch it at all. ESPECIALLY when I have a list as long as my arm of podcasts I want to listen to, boxes to unpack, yadda yadda.

I had to get real with myself and ask, “What the heck is going on, Brenda?!?”

For me, if I’m spending time doing something that isn’t bringing me pure joy and doesn’t actually need to be done, I’m avoiding something.

I’m avoiding (cue dramatic music)… feeling like I can’t do it perfectly or not knowing where to start. Sometimes it’s both.

An unexpected trick to stop avoiding things you need to do.

Set a timer.

Yep. That’s all. Set a timer. Start small with 30 or 60 minutes. For really overwhelming or yucky things, start even smaller. By focusing on your effort (the time you will spend) the way you feel about the task shifts. It feels manageable AND achievable. When the timer dings, Ta-Da!! You’re done for that day or segment.

For best results, repeat often.

The inverse is also really nice.

Set a timer to do a preferred activity, too!! Have a show or podcast or book you absolutely love?? Lose the guilt around disappearing into it by setting a timer. You’ll have complete confidence in that you won’t lose a whole day and can get can back to what you need to do as soon as the timer rings.

Oh, that reminds me of how I started using timers. I started to use timers when I was the single mom of a small child to be able to get things done!! I’ll talk about that in an upcoming blog post!

Does this resonate with you? Relate? I’d love to hear from you!!

If you think someone you know or love could benefit from this, please share!!

And be sure to grab your free daily checklist here!! 

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All my love,

Brenda

XOXO