Sometimes people think self-care is simply about pampering or self-indulgence, but that’s not true. Most of us have two or three tasks, probably ones we consider to be unpleasant, that consume “mental real estate.” Procrastination gets the best of us. We have good intentions. But we let ourselves down when we don’t follow through and those little things start to add up. Unfinished business drains energy that can be better used for more meaningful and enjoyable tasks.
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
—William James
Examples include:
- Scheduling a dental or MD appointment. If you’ve met your insurance deductible this year, you want those appointments before January, or even before December 20th. So does everyone else.
- Car oil change, winter proof or routine maintenance.
- Make a phone call to resolve a billing error.
- Decluttering a specific area of the house where you might want to entertain in a couple of weeks.
- Finish an unfinished task or project.
- Purchase something you know you will need over the next month but usually wait until the last minute – filter for the water pitcher, stock the pantry with baking supplies.
This week, write down a couple of the things that have been nagging at you. Put them on your schedule with specific day / time and follow through. You’ll feel lighter and like you’ve accomplished something. More importantly, you’ve made space in your brain/body/spirit for something wonderful to come into your life.
No matter how small, I’d love to hear about what you’ve done and how you feel when the task is completed in the comments section below.
If you’d like extra support, clarity and encouragement there is still time to join us for the Don’t Burnout Over the Holidays teleclass series starting this Wednesday. (Details here).
