Message #454

[msmarieh]

I have several steps that I do...



One... I set small workable steps. Right now I am working on decluttering my house (yes, flylady!!!). I have finished three rooms so far. I sat down and wrote up a list of EVERY SINGLE step that I wanted to take. It looks monumental, but each of them are small. Every day I pick at least one task to complete (like go through one drawer of the file cabinet).



Two... Absolutely set time limits - both how long you will work on it each day and how long you will permit the entire project to take. Some suggest limiting yourself so you don't burn out - but for me, if the mood does come upon me, I run with it!!! I find the timer really helps me for getting started, but often I want to work longer when it dings, so I keep going (against flylady's suggestion!)



Three... Rewards come in many forms - I used to hide a couple instant lottery tickets in the pile of papers I had to file(close my eyes, lift it up somewhere, shove it in, put the papers back down). Was a neat reward to find - naturally you can't find it by searching - you have to get to it by filing. Also I will usually do the small rewards - a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows for one file drawer, an manicure for the file cabinet, etc.



Often I find that once I get started it doesn't take nearly as long as I think it will.  Also, getting started becomes it's own reward. As you start being able to see desk, floor, etc. it is so much more peaceful and stress-reducing that you get energized to want to do more. Sometimes it helps having company. I might ask a small child to help with an easier task, or my husband to shred the papers or trade filing help with another secretary.



Marie