Setting your priorities
There are so many times we make excuses, we blame it on a lack of time, or just flat out ignore it. We put things on the back burner or the too do pile and time flies by with it never getting done. Things like I have to do this only make it worst and make it into a chore which in turn makes you want to pull out every excuse in the book. We then never wind up doing the things we want to do and instead do the things we truly want. The difference is we make the things we truly want a priority and the things we “wish” to do a bucket list item. By bucket list I mean someday. So how can we shift this mentality and start making those wish list goals our main priority.
Stop making excuses.
Every time you make excuses for why you can’t do something that is when you say well this thing I am trying to do is not really as important as, fill in the blank. This shifts it to the bottom of the barrel and then you wind up never doing it or following through. If you want to do something then simple, go do it. There is no cheat codes to life, you either use reasons for why you can or you make excuses for why you can’t.
2. Stop psyching yourself out.
If this thing that you want to do is causing that much stress, so much so that you start to psyche yourself out of doing it then it’s time to shift perspectives. What you're doing is self destructing before you even got a chance to get after it. What we want is to create a new habit and in order to do this you have to pump yourself up about doing it. Anytime you start wanting to give up or not follow through remind yourself how much you want it so we can negate the negative emotions. Rewriting your neural pathways takes time and consistency and if you give up before you even begin then it will never get done.
3. Make it a priority.
Put it on your action agenda to do the task you want at a specific time. If you know that at 5pm you have a bootcamp class make sure you set everything else aside and turn off your phone. This is your time so don’t let distractions or any attempts to stop you come up before the time you are going to begin. When you put it at the top of your list and give it a time you are more likely to show up if rather than if you are just winging it without a schedule.
4. Make a schedule.
AND stick with it! Get an agenda book, an app on your phone, a calendar, whatever it be and write out your schedule for the week. If it is in the book DON’T cancel it. This is the time you get to prove to yourself that you can follow through and show the fuck up for yourself. If you put it off till tomorrow then tomorrow will never come. It will always be tomorrow I will get to it, tomorrow this time for sure. Stick to your schedule!
5. Show up
This is your time to show up for yourself. Your words should be your bond so if you say you are doing it then do it. Be impeccable with your word, if you falter you disappoint yourself. Once the task is done then you’ll feel that you’ve accomplished something. Put it on a too do list and check it off with a big Fuck ya! Every time you show up for yourself is every time you are awake and living your life. Autopilot is costing by like a zombie, showing up is you waking the fuck up!
6. Meet the resistance head on
I want to say this when beginning a new hobby, sport, exercise you will meet resistance. This resistance is basically your brains way of saying hey!! This isn’t what we normally do, we usually sit on the couch eating popcorn and watching tv, what are you doing. Don’t you want to do that instead? Make excuses now so we can get back to this place we know and love. That’s right your brain likes structure and anything new it will try to be like OH NO that is not happening because we don’t belong there, its not safe, we like where we are. It will resist so be ready for that and meet it before it even comes up.
-You could meet it by being encouraging to yourself about what your doing.
-Pump yourself up about how excited you are and that you “GET” to do this awesome thing.
-Be kind and don’t bully yourself when the resistance emerges.
-Show up early and help yourself get use to the space before it’s time to begin.
If you use these tips you will definitely reach your goals and finish the tasks you set out to do. The main thing is you have to want to chose it over everything else, otherwise you are more likely to just give up. We love the high of choosing to do something, we hate the work that comes with the choice. Learn to love the work too and get the high after it’s completed and you will stay in line with your goal.
What are some of the goals you have been putting off or want to start? Do you need help reaching them? Feel free to reach out and set up a call to discuss what we could work on together to get you there. The thing is I am just a guide, you are the one who has to pull the trigger and do the work. What is one thing you could make a priority in your life? With this new priority how much time and energy are you willing to give to make this goal a reality? Are you serious about it or are you still on the fence? Would you be more likely to have an excuse for it? If so what would it be? Write down the three excuses you would use to get out of it and then put them somewhere you can see to start calling yourself out on your own shit. Every time you use them look at note you wrote about how you use this excuse and laugh then use that as fuel to prove yourself wrong. You are the maker of your own destiny, so make your life a priority and do the work!
Today was a 9.