2 Mantras That Help Me Get Through Tasks I Hate - The Muse

2 Mantras That Help Me Get Through Tasks I Hate - The Muse2 Mantras That Help Me Get Through Tasks I HateHave you ever had something on your to-do list that you just really didnt want to do? If your answer is yes, its OK. Because Ive definitely had those moments. In fact, for the past three months, Ive been actively avoiding two items on my list (like, um, balancing the budget for the grant I manage). Thinking about doing them sounds just as fun as listening to someone scrape their fingernails down a chalkboard for five whole minutes. But, at the end of each day, when I realize I cant cross them out yet again, I sigh and think, Geez, Im the most unproductive and worthless employee theres ever been. I dont have to tell you thats not exactly the healthiest mindset to have. But heres the thing. I have to do them. I cant just keep pretending they dont exist. And Im betting that you cant do that, either. So, Im here to save your day. Whenever I have to do something that I really, really, dont want to, I repeat ansicht two mantras.This Will Eventually Be Over. This Will Eventually Be Over.In high school, I played on the soccer team. Each year, we had to do this drill called 120s. This consisted of sprinting the entire 120-yard field in under 17 seconds and jogging back under 30. 10 times in a row. I absolutely, hands down dreaded them. They were hard. They hurt. They took everything I had. But I knew that, if I wanted to make varsity and play well, I needed to do them. So, I changed my mindset. (Pretty advanced for a 14-year-old, eh?). I realized that, though each second of that drill would suck, it actually only lasted about 15 minutes. And you know what? Thats not a very long time at all. (Unless someone is dragging their nails down a chalkboard.)In the minutes leading up to the start time, Id think, These next 15 minutes are going to suck. But time keeps moving forward and, before I know it, itll be 16 minutes from now. And Ill be d-o-n-e. Id separate myself from how hard it welches as much as I could, and Id focus on that 16th minute.So, when theres something you dont want to do, remind yourself that, eventually, itll be over. But you have to get started, first.Ill Feel So Much Better When I Get This Done. Ill Feel So Much Better When I Get This Done.When I finished my 120s, I felt like I was on top of the world. If youve ever heard of runners high, its like that, times 10. I felt fast, strong, and, most of all, relieved.While I havent done this drill for 10 years (though maybe I should), I still apply this mentality to certain areas of my life. Like when I want to work out before leaving for the office, but hitting snooze for 30 more minutes is so much more appealing. But I know for a fact that, unless I need the extra rest because Im sick or didnt sleep well, I will fell so much better if I just get my butt out of bed and lace up my sneakers. But this way of thinking isnt only useful for fitness purposes. Think about it- what feels better at the end of the day? Feeling productive and accomplished or having the same old task hang above your head, taunting you? Im going to take a risk and say the first options preferable. You may not get a runners high, but youll probably get a dragging a line through that item once and for all high. So, go on, you. Go tackle that project youve been avoiding forever. Put it to rest for good- itll make you, your boss, and your team a whole lot happier. And just remember This will eventually be over, and, Ill feel so much better about myself when I finish this. You got this. Ill catch you next time- Im going to balance that budget now.