[PRODUCTIVITY] How to Start Doing That Thing You Want to Do!

Sometimes starting is the hardest part. Here's how to get over that hump using brain science and some trickery to get your brain to help you rather than hinder you from "doing the thing".

Watch/listen to the full podcast episode here https://bywdreams.mailerpage.com/157

I always say, "Life is a game that is played on the field between your left and right ear (aka: your brain), and your job is figuring out how to work within that realm".

Your brain uses a lot of energy, almost 20% of your total calories. Because we are feast or famine animals, storing fat for when the famine is coming, our brains are designed to save calories whenever possible. This is why it's so enticing to do nothing because your brain wants to save calories.

Another way our brains save calories is by creating shortcuts (aka: habits) which use much less energy. The best way to ensure you'll do something for the long-term is to make it a habit. To get you started on this journey, here are my tips for "tricking your brain" and getting started on your new goal.

Step 1: Pick a start date.

You want it to be far enough away that you don't feel pressured, but close enough that it doesn't feel like you can put it off forever. This will help take some pressure off your brain. Your brain isn't really concerned about what you might do in the future. Personally, I like three weeks, although if you want to choose the first or the month or your birthday, perhaps use those. Our brains love the idea of a "fresh start" and the beginning of the year, month, or week is an easy way to capture this.

Let's say you want to start making your bed, which is my number one suggestion any time someone feels like they don't know where to start. I want you to write that down on your planner or calendar, or if you don't have one, get a piece of paper and write, "Start making my bed on June 1st!" If you write it on a piece of paper, put it right next to your bed, maybe tape it to the wall.

Step 2: Set a goal

How many times a week do you want to do your new thing? While your ideal might be every day or five times a week, I like to shoot for four times a week because it means you are doing the thing more often than not which is a great way to get your brain to prioritize this new activity as a habit. 

If four days a week makes you uncomfortable, then reduce it until you are comfortable. Even one day a week is fine because guess what, that's a whole lot more than doing nothing! You can always increase your goal later. So pick a number that DOESN'T stress you out. If you pick a number that creates anxiety, your brain is like, "Whoa, Nelly, no way am I letting you expend that much energy you crazy human." Then you're not going to do it. 

Pick a number that makes you think, "Oh my gosh, this is so ridiculously easy. Of course, I'm gonna do it." That's when you start doing the thing because your brain's not fighting you. Maybe you have a movement goal and your ultimate goal is 30 minutes, four times a week, but that sounds intimidating. What about 5 minutes, four times a week? Can you do that? If that sounds doable, then do it. You can always increase your goal later.

Step 3: Track your progress (aka: habit track)

If you're using a planner, find a way to note that you've done the new habit. Maybe you put a heart or a sticker. You can also print the habit tracker I've created, here. Find a way to make habit tracking FUN. Maybe you color in the space on a habit tracker or draw a flower. When you make things fun, they become habits FASTER because it releases the neurotransmitter dopamine which is your brain's "save" button. Try and keep your habit tracker prominent, store it somewhere you can't miss it. Let's say the new habit you want to develop is flossing your teeth, then tape the habit tracker to your bathroom mirror!

Step 4: Do a tiny bit, today!

Start doing this new activity today. That's right. Do it today. You've told yourself you're not doing for three weeks. That's great. Today is just "practice." You're just throwing a little extra in. Whatever your goal is, do a tiny bit today. Write one sentence of your novel. Make one phone call. Do thirty seconds of stretching. Do a minute of research about that new job that you're thinking about applying for. Just do it now. It's just practice. It doesn't count. So easy. No big deal.

After you are done, I want you to celebrate the fact that you did the thing. Give yourself a high five. Brain science has shown that doing a self-high-five is motivational. Also, mark this activity on your habit tracker. Look at you, already doing the thing! That is the ultimate little bait and switch that you're pulling on your brain. You're saying, "Oh my gosh, I can do this thing. It is so easy." You still don't have to start until your official start date, but just try and do a little bit of your new activity as many days as you can between now and that fresh start date that you've chosen. You're just giving your brain a little like warm-up, getting it used to your new activity.

Congrats on getting started on this new goal! Remember, planning makes everything easier.

Watch/listen to the full podcast episode here https://bywdreams.mailerpage.com/157