In my last post about money mindset, You Get Out What You Put In, I discussed how we can sometimes use money as an excuse not to commit.
But what happens when we make the financial commitment and we still don’t do the work? This usually has something to do with our own internal beliefs that keep us from being productive.
(Psst! If you would like information on my upcoming Money Mindset Program, click HERE.)
The Myth of “No Time”
I strongly believe in taking breaks and truly allowing ourselves to relax, but the truth is, we often spend a lot of time doing things that don’t need to be done.
We keep the TV on even though we’re only half paying attention. We spend forty-five minutes writing an email that should take ten to compose and send.
We think, “Oh, this would be a good time to call my friend and chat. Or maybe I’ll stop and make a batch of cookies.”
Then we convince ourselves we didn’t do the work because we were too busy.
My coach, Christine Kane, calls these periods of non-productive activity “Grey Time.” It’s not really work time, and it’s not really relaxation time, it’s just this kind of nebulous nothing time.
Avoiding the Trap of Grey Time
There are some ways to avoid the trap of Grey Time. For some people the Pomodoro Method works well.
Using this method, you might set a timer for 20 minutes and then commit to working on one specific task for that entire time.
When the timer goes off, you get up and take a break. For 5 minutes you walk around the house or go outside and get some exercise. Then you come back and work for another 20 minutes.
Addressing the Fear
The Pomodoro Method can help by cutting a larger project down into manageable chunks, which can be useful in overcoming the initial fear of getting started.
It can shift the objective from writing a “perfect” blog post in 20 minutes, to simply writing for 20 minutes. That can be enough to get things flowing.
Sometimes You Need More than Just a Strategy
Most of us have an understanding of how to log into our bank account and pay bills… but that doesn’t mean it actually happens!
Similarly, you may have that blog article written but can’t bring yourself to push the “post” button. Or you may create tons of content for a program and never bring yourself to write the sales page.
Knowing about The Pomodoro Method doesn’t mean you’re going to use it or that you’ll even be able to block out distractions during those 20 minutes of work time.
If you’re having trouble with focus or with sticking to a strategy, it might be because you’re still looking at yourself with limiting beliefs. So instead of simply setting a timer, it might be time to consider how you can develop a greater sense of your own abilities and worthiness.
This is exactly what my upcoming program on Money Mindsets will address. If you would like to take the first step in addressing the fears and mindsets that are holding you back, click HERE for more information.
