De-Lego The Task

A Reason For Procrastination
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we look at a large or very important task, we are often overwhelmed by the sense of how enormous and hard it’s going to be to get it done. This is one of the main reasons why we procrastinate. However, if we were to be given only one part of the task at a time, we would likely not be nearly so intimidated. Imagine your completed task as one of the pictures on your brand new set of Lego blocks. Your task is to pull one Lego at a time out of the bucket and put it together with others to create the desired object from the picture.

One Lego At A Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever noticed how many times a task feels easier once you start on some part of it. That’s because we have a psychological fear of failing at the big task so we don’t want to start it. But, if we will take one Lego at a time, before you know it, you’re half-way there.

When Do You Start?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just like rolling a barrel or tire down a hill, it doesn’t do anything until you get it started. The same can be said of our tasks. They will never be completed until we start on them. Just pull-out the first Lego and get started. When you do this, you will build-up some momentum from the accomplishments of each piece of the task (just like the object rolling down the hill) that will help to carry you through the rest of the task.

How Can I Put This To Use Today
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start by choosing an important task and break it apart (De-Lego-it) in front of you.

Then, choose one piece of the task (the first Lego) and get started.

Copyright © 2006