If you are like me, and your brain freezes sometimes, making it difficult to concentrate, you need a quick fix.
Here are four ways to trick your brain into action:
Identify what is stopping you
Snap out of your daydream by identifying what is actually stopping you from getting started. Why are you procrastinating? What are your excuses? By consciously paying attention and identifying what is stopping your progress you can then move to a solution. Mostly it’s easy to identify the blockage but other times you need to write down and work through the reasons why.
Get started
Whilst there are different reasons for your procrastination the solution is invariably the same – get started by focusing on achieving small goals that build momentum and propel you forward. These small steps can stay small steps for a while or you can build them into bigger steps that get you back on track more quickly. Either way, it’s the forward momentum that is important.
Work in bursts
Since our brains work intensely for only 20–30 minutes at a time set yourself a time limit to achieve one or more of your small goals within this timeline. By working non-stop in bursts, racing against time to achieve your goal, you don’t have time to waste on daydreaming procrastination or inertia.
Reward yourself and go again
By setting and achieving goals within a timeline you will be able to appreciate and be motivated by your progress. Whilst this will get you closer to your overall goal, reward yourself for 5 or 10 minutes with a stretch or a walk or a coffee break. Then, refreshed and rewarded, its time to go again with another short burst to complete and tick off some further small, or large, steps.